vanifineart

Hesitant

2010-03-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

A wednesday potrait painting sketch: I loved the hesitancy in her glance. Tried to keep the brushwork loose but the face tight.

A New Beginning indeed!

2009-09-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I have posted. Painting a piece a day motivated me to post regularly. It served me the purpose of doing it, to find my interest. How and what and why I wanted to paint. Since then I have moved on to generate big pieces, learn new techniques and try different ideas. I didn't think much about posting these but a visit from my brother has changed all that. My brother was a hardware engineer who has turned to directing movies. Check his blog (http://rajpippalla.blogspot.com/). His first movie "Boni" has ben released in India and he came to visit us. He spent a week with me. Me painting and him, writing the script for his next release. He was curious about my painting process and the more I talked the more he got excited about painting. He encouraged me to write my thoughts down even if not on a daily basis. So here I go. First I would like to brag that I won this year's Elmira Street Painting festival's "Best in show". I did an anamorphic image of Mark Twain, our local hero. This year I used a steel trash bin for the reflector and the reflected images were not very sharp.

Finished image:

Here's the news release:

You are invited to a solo exhibit of Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-11-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

Rose in Steel cup

2008-07-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

3rd prize in Elmira street painting festival

2008-07-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

I participated in the first Emira downtown street festival which ran for 2 days and won third prize. Above is a picture washed out by the initial showers the 2nd day. It was my pastel painting in more than 20 years. It was fun. doing this art. I did an anamorphic art. The picture below is distorted but the actual reflection in the mirror reveals 3 veiled women. The first day was bright and sunny and it poured the next day. I wish I had taken a picture the first day :-(

when the colors were brighter.

Tulips and Mountains

2008-06-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Rhododendron

2008-06-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

The Magnolia Tree by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-05-04T19:02:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

Spring in DC

2008-05-03T08:24:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Cherry Blossoms at Washington monument.

Rainstorm

2008-04-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

I was travelling back from Maryland last week and got caught in a rainstorm. It was scary to drive but wonderful to watch. The clouds just passed right in front of us showering us with rain in batches. It was dark and I couldn't capture a picture. I have tried to compose this from my rather vivid memory.

Mr. JOVIAL or Mr. GRUMPY?

2008-04-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

7" x 7" oil on gessoed board The model for the portrait group was sick and a kind , friendly, jovial colleague offered to pose. However a few minutes into the pose he started to look very serious and grumpy. All traces of jovialness, was removed. I kept thinking "Never judge a book by it's cover" while I was painting this.

Daffodils on a hill

2008-04-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

The Daffodils by William Wordsworth (edited for length)

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

I gazed--and gazed--but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Last week was spring break for my kids. My bad mom guilt got the better of the bad artist guilt and I have been busy with the kids. I also drove my kids 5 hrs to grandmas. Spring was in full bloom. The drive was awesome but lasted 6.5 hrs because I had to stop and take pictures all the way through! This hill was on our way and reminded me of William Wordsworth's poem "The Daffodils". Neither near a lake nor really under trees but just as heavenly.

Also busy working on some large paintings. Hopefully I will be able to fit my small works in more frequently.

White Crocus at Sunset

2008-04-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

On My Mother's Bosom

2008-04-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

On my mothers bosom, I gently dream in peace,

Neither of distant lands nor faraway seas.

For bliss is here, I am aware.

On my mothers bosom, I sleep deep in peace.

Rainy Day

2008-04-10T14:06:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

A rose for the new year: Happy Ugadi everyone

2008-04-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Amma

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

Today is Ugadi, new year based on the lunar calendar for south indians. We start the day with a chutney or pachadi made of sour, sweet, bitter and salt all in the right proportions. Life would not be the same with any one missing ;-)

Portrait of a Dog: Beauty

2008-04-05T17:23:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed panel

Portrait of a cat

2008-04-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel ready to mount

Cut Strawberries

2008-04-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

Pink Rose

2008-03-31T18:17:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board.

Strawberries

2008-03-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

Pregnant Pear

2008-03-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Portrait: Melanie

2008-03-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel ready to hang with slotted back

Spring Daffodil

2008-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

I am having a hard time photographing this. I can't get the color right if texture is and the texture right if the color is right. After 20 trials in different light conditions I had to settle for a compromise of both. Any suggestions to photograph will be appreciated. Today is a very low light day and that could be a problem too.

Posing Plantains

2008-03-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board. Two plantain friends posing for a picture. Necks elongated heads leaning towards each other.

Stripped Orange

2008-03-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

My 50th painting in 2 months.

Shadows on Snow

2008-03-15T20:26:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Winter Scene: From Bridge on Rt 352, Corning

2008-03-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board I realized that spring is soon coming and I still haven't painted any of the winter scenes. So here we go.

Spring Crocus

2008-03-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

Egg on White Cloth

2008-03-11T20:31:00.000-07:00

5" x 6" oil on gessoed board.

Misty Morning

2008-03-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Hugs, Love and Kisses for my brother

2008-03-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

March 8th is my brother's birthday (in a couple of hours in india). Happy Birthday Raja. So had to send some long distance hugs, love and kisses for him. I found this beautiful poem written by Steven Geiger, USA on http://www.voicesnet.org/allpoemsonecategory.aspx?catid=BR0010

You are the best Brother in the world

And I want you to know

When I need help

You are always there

with anything and anywhere

I want you to know

You are in my heart

and there is nothing that can take that apart

A special spot in my heart

And we will never be apart.... love akka

Fun on the playground: Knotted

2008-03-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

Tulip (Happy Birthday to Meenal and Me)

2008-03-03T00:56:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Eggplant / Aubergine / Brinjals

2008-03-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board.

Garlic

2008-03-01T22:59:00.000-08:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board.

Olives

2008-02-29T20:37:00.000-08:00

4" x 4" oil on canvas panel

Family

2008-02-28T20:38:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Family of Apples (apples and crabapple).

Red Rose

2008-02-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

5" x 5" oil on gessoed board.

Bowl of Raspberries and Blueberries

2008-02-22T23:09:00.000-08:00

4" x 4" oil on panel board.

Asiatic Lily 2 by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-20T22:12:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Tiger lily by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-18T20:51:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

Primrose by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed panel

Cherries by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-16T22:32:00.000-08:00

4" x 4" oil on canvas panel

Lilies by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

6" x 12 " oil on canvas panel

Red Onion by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-14T20:32:00.000-08:00

Red onion 5" x 5" oil on gessoed board

Strawberry Breakfast by Vani Pippalla Akula

2008-02-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board , Strawberry, Blueberry on white plate with fork

2008-02-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

Pomegranate and Azalea

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

2008-02-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Cyclamen

6" x 10" oil on canvas panel

2008-02-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi (incomplete)

6" X 8" OIL ON CANVAS PANEL

Today is a very special day for me. I am also an indian classical dance performer(kuchipudi). After more than a decade of absence I am performing again. It is all the more delightful because I am performing with my daughter. I know how much my mom loves dance and wanted to do the same but her wishes were never fulfilled. I am thankful to my parents for giving me all that they wanted and couldn't have. I don't have time to paint today and am posting a favorite portrait (if it can be called that) I did of Sri Raja Rajeswari Devi from Rush, NY a while ago. It is incomplete but I still wanted to post it. Will post completed one later. This temple is my favorite. You can walk upto the altar and touch the goddess and gods. The temple staff is very friendly and very supportive of every whim and fancy a devotee feels (like me wanting to paint in the temple :)

2008-02-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Iris by Vani Pippalla Akula

6" x 8" oil on canvas paper

2008-02-07T16:08:00.000-08:00

Eggplant

4" x 4" oil on linen board

2008-02-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Carnation Bud

4" x 6" oil on canvas panel

2008-02-05T18:57:00.000-08:00

Bananas

4" X 6" oil on canvas panel

2008-02-04T19:33:00.000-08:00

Pink Asiatic Lily

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

2008-02-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Persimmon

5" x 7" oil on canvas board

2008-02-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

Limes

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

2008-02-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

Carnation

5" x 7" oil on gessoed board

2008-01-31T21:35:00.000-08:00

Pineapple

5" x 8" oil on gesso board

2008-01-30T20:33:00.000-08:00

Rubber Duck

4" x 6" oil on canvas board

2008-01-29T20:23:00.000-08:00

Lemon and Stainless Steel Glass

5" x 7" oil on linen board

2008-01-28T16:49:00.000-08:00

Peeled Tangerine

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

2008-01-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

Amelia

5" x5" oil on linen board

2008-01-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

Tangerine in corelle bowl

5" x 7" oil on linen board

2008-01-25T19:42:00.000-08:00

Strawberries and reflection

5" x 5" oil on linen panel

2008-01-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

Late evening on I 86 W, exit 50

6" x 8" oil on canvas panel

I have to find a better way to photograph my paintings! :-(

2008-01-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

Orange

5" x 7" oil on canvas board

2008-01-22T17:16:00.000-08:00

Justine

11" x 14" oil on canvas board

2008-01-21T16:04:00.000-08:00

Tangerine with peel

4" x 6" oil on canvas,palette knife

2008-01-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hot about you/Hai Hai Mirchi

5" x 8" oil on gessoed board, close up of peppers on silk scarf

2008-01-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Crabapple on Corelle plate

4" x 6" oil on canvas panel

2008-01-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

Oranges and Juice

5" x 7" oil on canvas board

2008-01-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

Chris or Chatrapati Sivaji

(With a bandana and a bullet around his neck, training to be a policeman.

He kept reminding me of pictures/statues of Chatrapati sivaji )

11" x 14" oil on canvas panel

2008-01-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

Persimmon

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

2008-01-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

Yellow and Red Rose

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

This rose is a tribute to my mom. I would like to start this blog with her favourite flower.