Friday, May 31, 2024

Artist of the Day, May 31, 2024: Surabhi Gaikwad, an Indian born/Qatar emerging artist, painter (#2038)

 I’m Surabhi Gaikwad—potentially, the first female artist from Qatar to have her art on the Moon. ( Two of my artworks ( Me and my plants V and Dream I ) are selected to be apart of 'Polaris' a time capsule , A space programme launched by Nasa which launches creative works of artists to the moon in four time capsules).

Although I was born and raised in Goa, India, I create my art in my studio in Doha. I’m currently based in Qatar.

Oil on Canvas is my medium of choice because I love that it can be layered and mixed freely. The richness and the depth of oil colors informs and assists my style seamlessly. In my work I use bright and bold contrasting colors to form varied patterns juxtaposed with the fluidity of natural shapes found in foliage and flowers. Occasionally, I work with oil pastels and watercolors.

India’s rich heritage of art, architecture and its diverse flora and fauna were my first inspirations. When I was Three years old, my mother bought a black board for me. I’m told I held a piece of chalk in each hand and drew two symmetrical ducks at the same time.

Apart from impressionist masters, nature, textiles, patterns, fashion and anything that captivates my attention inspires me. Perhaps it’s the long periods of sequestering due to lockdowns that have resulted in lush, green houseplants appearing as my favorite accessory in my recent works. I find painting the flora and fauna around me with its myriad complexities of colors, shapes and sizes calming. With climate change on the horizon, I can't help but include plants and their stunning variety in my work. In my own way, I hope to preserve their existence on my canvases.

© 2024. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Surabhi Gaikwad or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Ms. Surabhi Gaikwad
Monday morning!
My Happy place
One With Nature
Spark of life
The Gaze Nº.  5
The Gaze Nº. 7
The Gaze Nº. 9
The Gaze Nº. 10
The Gaze Nº. 11
The Gaze Nº.  12
Feeling Fancy
Homage to Frida II
In all splendor
All Decked up
Bees
Lets get kitschy
Me and my plants II
Me and my plants V
Me and my plants
Boss Lady
Bling it on II
Portrait Nº. 22
Portrait Nº. 21
Portrait Nº. 20
Portrait Nº. 18
Portrait Nº.  17

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Artist of the Day, May 30, 2024: Praphan Srisouta, a Thai painter, woodcut artist (#2037)

 Praphan Srisouta (1939) was born in Thailand.  He received the grand prize in the field of woodcut-prints in 1961 and 1962.  After that, he received numerous scholarships to study in Germany and the US as well as invitations to participate in several international exhibitions in Japan.  Praphan is an international artist that Thailand is proud of.

Praphan Srisouta,'s first exhibition reflecting the ways of Thai rural life was held in 1967. Content and concept were devided into two categories : children at play and daily life. His work has been particularly inspired by the mural paintings of Thai temples. In 1964. He visited Japan and was favorably impressed at the interesting work of Japanese artists. Then , from 1965 - 66 , he went to study art in Germany. At that time , he sketched a number of pictures for wood cutting. When he returned to Thailand in 1967, he continued working on wood cutting and produced some ninety wood block pieces. From this , the focus of his artistic interest has shifted from Thai lifeways to an idealistic style which he feel is the new era of his creativity.

The woodcut-print technique and the keen observation of the subject matter in Praphan Srisouta’s works are inherent – but what captures the attention is the liveliness of the figures portrayed.

Srisouta accurately depicts the movement involved in such activities such as playing with the kite, wrestling, horse riding, throwing stones, beating drums, diving, playing with boats and playing with bamboo stilts using the medium of monochromatic woodcut-prints.  The fluidity of the muscles of these figures seems even more alive because of this medium which is also apparent in the surrounding still life of trees, grass and bridges, leading onto the lines of the hills.

The ability to lend such life to these objects comes from the inherent talents of the artist but also from years spent passionately practicing the art of sketching still life at Silpakorn University.  The movement of each of the figures’ hand, hip and leg muscles is so fascinatingly full of energy and life that it pulls in the observer and one has difficulty departing from the picture.

Although Praphan Srisouta’s woodcut-prints are noted on a global scale, when he changed from a woodblock print artist to an oil painter, only limited pieces were left and many of them are still in the artist's personal collection; and therefore difficult for the typical art lover to acquire.  These are the works that the collector will be able to purchase at this exhibition.

The artist has decided to sell his last personal collection due to the fact that he is now in the process of changing from a painting artist into a poet.  He therefore needs funds for the printing of this massive undertaking.  A portion of the sales will also be donated to a fund for needy artists.  This is because Praphan himself had had the experience of being a poor student and artist.

© 2024. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Praphan Srisouta or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

 Praphan Srisouta
Around the Fire, 1962
 Fisherman Carrying Fish, 1963
 Untitled, 1963
Follow the Leader, 1967
 My Village: Buffalo Bathing, 1967
 My Village: Building a Bridge, 1967
 My Village: Chopping Tree Branch, 1967
 My Village: On the Way, 1967
My Village: Scaring the Crows, 1967
My Village: The Boxing, 1967
 My Village: The Fishermen, 1967
My Village: Top of the Village, 1967
Untitled, 1967
Village Scene, 1967
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968 detail
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968 detail
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968 detail
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968 detail
The Brave Versus Mara, 1968 detail
Untitled, 1969
Inner Need, 1983
Fantasie