Indian Art: Pichwai Paintings Of Rajasthan

Posts in 'Indian Art' series on my blog is my endeavor to bring back the lost charm of various ancient Indian art forms and to let more and more people know about rich culture and heritage of India.
Pichwai painting is an art form that has its roots in Rajasthan and more precisely in Nathdwara.
Pichwai  means 'at the back' so these paintings are basically used as decorative curtain/backdrop in Shrinath ji temples and Krishna temples in Rajasthan. These cloth hangings are considered very sacred and devotees offer these cloth hangings in temples and take them back home as souvenir as well

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Origin:

Pichwai born when Vallabhaichari sect created pictorial illustration of festivals and occasions as a backdrop  for Krishna temple in Nathdwara.

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Style:
These paintings are known to have more details, are more polished and pure than Phad paintings that are other form of painting in Rajasthan but is very similar to Pichwai. Figure of Shrinath ji (Krishna) is shown decked in vibrant festive costumes. Features that I like most are big eyes, sharp nose and colorful costumes with all fine details, be it sheer dupattas of Gopis(milkmaids) and Radha or jewel and gems studded in crown and other jewelry. Trees, decorated animal and beautiful birds are another eye catching features.

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Theme:
As it all started with iconography for Krishna temple so main theme is Shrinath ji(Krishna) and his heroic and notable deed. Though theme varies according to the season like you will see pond and pink lotuses in summer Pichwai, full moon and dark background can be seen in Sharad Poornima Pichwai. Themes are based on festivals and occasions like Holi, Annakoot, Rasleela and janmashtmi.

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Process:
It can be painted, embroidered, printed or woven in applique. Earlier Pichwai was done on loose, rough, hand spun fabric and painted in permanent natural colors that were extracted from vegetables and minerals and that don't tend to fade with time. Outlines are always dark hued and lighter soft tones are used for filling the picture. These days quick materials like paint brushes and machine made fabric is used that obviously saves lot of time.
First a rough sketch of painting is drawn on starched fabric. Then slowly fill the color in entire painting and outline it with dark color. Painting is then adorned with gems, stones or embroidered with gold thread to enhance the beauty of it.
The more I explore about these paintings more I am tempted to buy one for me :)
Do you have Pichwai painting in your home....I would love love love to see it. You can send it to me at designdecoranddisha@gmail.com or just post it on my Facebook page.
Have a happy and creative weekend!!


Linking it to Homework Wednesday!!

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Fan Of The Week: Kala Chaitanya

Dear readers you all are awesome. Nothing makes me more happy than reading your encouraging mails and messages. Though I try my best to reply each and every mail I receive, but in case I don't then please don't feel bad, I will get back to you sooner or later. You just keep pouring your love:)

A new week and time to introduce you to a new creative reader: Kala Chaitanya.  

Over to kala now:-

Hey guys, I am very excited to see my blog featuring in a wonderful and inspiring blog :) Thanks Disha !!!

Welcome to Ingenious Misses Creations blog , I get inspired with every creative items around me. Love to create lot of many handmade things and feels excited to share in my space to keep my inspiration alive :) 

I am not bounded to a particular things, explore and put a hand on all things I love and inspires me.. Nail arts and jewelry making are my best ones.Take a look at my few items and don't forget to visit my little shop and IngeniousMrs my page on fb !!!

Ohhhh I always wonder  that lots of creative people are there and I am happy to have some of them here on my blog :) Thanks Kala for sharing your creative work with us.

Visit some more creative minds featured on my blog here. Have a very beautiful week ahead!!

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It's Coffee Painting This Time

[If You like what you see here, don't forget to like my Facebook Page, Click Here.]

Let me tell you I am a true tea lover. So coffee just sits unused in my kitchen shelf and get a chance to come out only when some coffee lover guest pays visit :)

Few days ago when it was raining heavily I wanted to brew coffee for me and when I opened the coffee bottle I realized that coffee has gone bad :( I was about to throw it but suddenly my creative side woke up and told me to put it to some use. 

I had heard a few times about coffee painting, so decided to give it a try!!

Coffee painting in making........

I kept drawing few figures on drawing sheet until I got the result exactly the way I wanted. I drew meditating Buddha. Then I diluted coffee and started the mission :)

Here is a result. It turned out beautifully. 

Then I used some effects..........

It's looking even more beautiful with all the effects.

 This below one is my favorite!!

Here I would like to give one advice to my blog readers that before considering anything trash just think once. It's quite possible that you can put it to some good use :)
Check out more of my art work: Click Here

Have a beautiful and creative weekend!!
All images are mine and are subject to copyright.

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These Pebbles Can Steal Your Heart!!

I am sure many of you already have seen painted pebbles/rocks.....but wait you haven't seen these beauties!! These cute painted pebbles can steal your heart or can tempt you to make some for your own....yes I mean it. Check out these amazing creations by creative people.

Links has been provided below each image so please go through the links and explore the world of creativity and admire artists and their artwork :)

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Awesomeness........

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Color galore.............

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These are super cute...............

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Eye popping...........

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Now tell me aren't you inspired enough to try your hands on it. If you already have painted some then you have to share it :)

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Ikat

Ikat

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Ikat is the method of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process used to pattern textiles that is almost similar as tie & dye method either on the Warp or Weft fibers. Image below is to make you understand what warp and weft fibers are.

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Origin:  'Ikat' is an Indonesian word which means 'to bind' or 'to dye'. origin of this weaving technique is unknown. It probably developed in several different locations independently but is practiced across the globe.

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Style: Depending on the resist dying technique on warp and weft fibers, there are mainly three types of Ikat

Warp Ikat: Ikat created by dyeing the warp are the simplest form of Ikat. First the yarn bundles are tied on warped strings of the loom. Then the bundles are covered with wax or wrapped tightly with thread or some other dye-resistant material- to prevent unwanted dye permeation. The resist dye procedure is repeated until the desired result is achieved. 

Koyalagudum, Andra Pradesh specialize in warp ikat particularly suitable for furnishing fabrics made from cotton. 

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One can see the pattern on warp even before weaving. Refer the image below.

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Weft Ikat: Weft ikat uses resist dyeing for the weft fiber. This type of ikat is very difficult to weave. Weft ikat are commonly employed where pattern precision is of less aesthetic concern than the overall resultant fabric. Pattern is visible only after weaving.

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Double Ikat: Both warp and weft are tie-dyed in this kind of ikat. This form of weaving requires lots of skill for right patterns to be woven and is believed the best form of ikat. The amount of labour (A sari length takes two men seven months to complete) and skill required also make it the most expensive. Gujarat, in northern India is home of one of the most famous ikat traditions called the Patan Patola. These silk fabrics are double ikat, traditionally done with vegetable dyes, but now using chemical dyes. The complexity of having both the warp and weft resist dyed makes the actual weaving much more demanding of precision. The intersection of these threads must be precise or the design is lost. 
Process: Bindings, which resist dye penetration, are applied to the threads in the desired patterns and the threads are dyed. Great care must be taken in tying resist areas with water repellent material such as bicycle inner tubes cut into strips. Alteration of the bindings and the dyeing of more than one color produce elaborate, multicolored patterns. When all of the dyeing is finished the bindings are removed and the threads are ready to be woven into cloth. Designs generally are worked out on graph paper. Great care must be taken in putting the warp on the loom, keeping all the threads in position is necessary for the design to work. The natural movement during weaving gives ikat designs a feathered edge which characterize this technique. Some styles of ikat favor a blurred appearance.

India, Japan and many South-East Asian nations such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand are famous for their ikat production.

Ikat fabric is timeless and is used in many forms from furnishing to clothing. I also love ikat fabric for its feathered edge designs. Do you have something in ikat at your home lets share with us here at my Facbook page. I would love to look at those eye candy.

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Diwali Craft & Home Decor Inspiration- III

What you do with dried plants. I had a dried Basil (Tulsi) plant for quite some time and recently I gave it a new life. I turned it into a 'Jewel Tree'. Diwali is a festival when we add lot of bling to our decor and this jewel tree is looking just perfect to give any corner or nook an instant cheer.

Under this tree is standing lord Krishna playing flute and Radha is sitting mesmerized by it's melody.

Any guess what these jewels are made of. Well this jewel is not expensive one. It's ball made of aluminium foil.  I just hung some foil balls onto the branches and some balls I glued on them. Then I painted the branch in silver color and the jewel tree is ready.You can hang some colorful stones or gems also.

Now take a look of few more cheerful corners in my home. 

Check out earlier posts on Diwali inspiration here & here.

Have a very happy weekend and stay creative!!!

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Diwali Craft & Home Decor Inspiration- II

Diwali is just around the corner and you all decor enthusiast must be thinking of some nice table arrangements for this festive season.  Sometimes we get bored of using same things again and again for all the occasions. So this time I come up with the idea of using some mundane household objects for some pleasing and not so expensive tablescape. 

First thing you need is some nice table runner. Forget about those table runners you already have used number of times. Try to use dupatta or rich textile as table runner, idea is to add bling and luxury to your decor. Now that you are done with table runner part comes the next step of arranging things those are going to be part of your tablescape.

Put your mundane household objects to good use. Hunt for things that can serve as a candle or diya holder like I used frame of my broken tea cups as diya holder.

Then I put small clay pots that I have painted some time back on top of the cup frames and on table runner.

I plucked a palm leaf and then cut the fronds(Smaller leaf structures that grow on stem) in same size and then arranged them in clay pot as shown in picture. Now put tealight or diya on it and see the magical effect.

Now leaving you with some pictures. Take a look and let me know what do you think.

If you have an awesome Diwali decor idea to share with us then go on and send me on designdecoeanddisha@gmail.com

In case you have missed my earlier post on Diwali inspiration then click here.

Have a lovely weekend and stay creative!!!

P.S : All images are mine please don't copy or reuse them without my permission.

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