September 5, 2010

Mustang Power




This is a 20" by 72" triptych in acrylics. I have let go of myself and used bright colors to bring in the energy that is associated with these beautiful creatures.It also helped me to camouflage my lack of knowledge about the animal's body basics :-). This will be hung in an office and the intention was to lift up the energy of the reception room. So I thought of painting running horses in wilderness (no, they are not racing!) so that the Mustang power is felt in their movement :-)

I love horses and I love them to be free! As a little girl, I used to visit Mysore a small town for my annual vacation and we had to use horse carts called tongas for commuting. I used to shiver whenever the tonga guy hit the horse with his whip to speed up the animal. There was no other means of commute at that time in Mysore and it was quite an ordeal to go through the torture. For me, it was like sitting on thorns. Back in Bangalore where I lived, I could not even bring myself to look at the racecourse whenever I drove across the place.

I feel that forcing these lovely creatures to run is not humane. Let alone horse race, I dont even like rat race when people run after power and money (though I love rats after watching the movie Ratatouille!). I think that human power with in, is much greater than a horse power and the challenge of life lies in seizing the power that already exists with in us and lead a life that is meaningful to us. What do you say? :-)

I thank Mike, my husband's colleague for motivating me to do this work, painting animals is not my forte, but I have tried to do my best!

26 comments:

  1. Awesome Padmaja. I love painting animals and I trained and rode horses for years. No. I did not whip them.I also despise horse racing and anyone that needs to be whipping their horse along must not be taking very good care of him. Your triptych is gorgeous with all the energy of color running through them and you have caught their spirit for sure!

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  2. Good choice of color, Padmaja.Blue goes well against the yellow, and provides the excitement in the scene.The painting is full of energy and motion.Horses are wonderful subjects.Hope the owner likes it the way we do:)

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  3. Gorgeous work Padmaja - I can almost hear the thud of hooves and I love the colours - I don't know if you have ever looked at the painter Franz Marc, but your work made me think of him - it has that expressionist feel. They will definitely lift the spirits and energy in the office where they are hung !

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  4. It is a beautiful piece and the palette adds to the excitement of the piece! So well done, Padmaja!

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  5. Wonderful pieces! I love the chances you took with the colors. You were responding to your creative urges... The wildness of the horses is intensified by your color choices. Great job!

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  6. Beautiful and so vibrant, Padmaja. The triptych was a great idea, too.

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  7. Wonderful work Padmaja...I think one of your best artworks!...very bold and vibrant!

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  8. Your love of these beautiful animals shines through in this Padmaja! And I so agree with all your sentiments about horses! My big question is - why oh why do they have to have those vicious steel bits stuck in their mouths?

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  9. Somehow those vibrant colors bring so much movement in this work. I am sure some drab office is going to look real nice and bright.

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  10. I worry for the office people. What if they start working 24 hours non-stop after this energy recharge? It will be your fault)))
    I see no problem with horses been hit. That's life. I know a lot of people which need to be hit before they start moving or just thinking about the ways to move forward. Well, I am for example.

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  11. Loved the vibrant colors you have used, makes the pic comes alive! Would love to feature your works on our blog www.thekeybunch.com. Do let me know if this sounds interesting..

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  12. There is so much energy and power in these images.

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  13. WOW Padmaja, you had to know I'd love this one!!! Beautifully done, you captured a great sense of energy and freedom. and I know the reception area of the office will benefit this wonderful piece!!!

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  14. The tryptich is really wonderful, Padmaja! You have surprised us with this amazing set of paintings. I truly believe that giving colour to the horses enforces the sense of freedom. I wish I could show you a work I did several years ago, with colored horses and a lady!

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  15. Your triptych has such a wonderful feeling movement and vitality. The colors are perfect and certainly add to the vitality of the piece.
    Jean

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  16. What a Beauty Padmaja really fantastic..... The choice of colors is really very eye soothing. I am sure the buyer will be very proud to own them.

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  17. Such a breathtaking scene and powerful colors.

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  18. Looks like I have a favorite (or three) now of your work! I LOVE these.

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  19. Padmaja, your portrayal of these beautiful creatures is very moving... As an animal rights advocate I appreciate the story you tell about them... BJ

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  20. Padmaja,how are you..this painting is great padmaja,you are so brave to try this wonderful colors and broad strokes,that to the horses are fantastic.....the size is wonderful .....good choice of color and size ....very nice.

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  21. They are fantastic! You have the essence of horse on the canvas... (oh. that doesn't sound like I mean..)

    The color and movement are great!

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  22. You've done a wonderful job with on these! Your vivid colors and expressive poses capture perfectly the free spirit and power of a wild Mustang. Two thumbs up!

    Re: "rat race".... thoroughly despise it and I'm not participating!

    LOL! :-)

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  23. This is a really nice painting. Must be impressive with the big size.

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  24. This is an amazing painting! The colors are so beautiful and strong ..Wonderful job.

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