Peacock
Kalapi-is-a-peacock
The Poetry of Nature: Kalapi is a Peacock
Nature, for me, is the ultimate artist, and the painter’s role is one of humble response.
In creating Kalapi is a peacock…, I felt that the subject itself—the majestic peacock—had already done the hard work. It is, in its very existence, a “live colourpalette,” bestowed with the vibrant golds, blues, and fiery oranges of the earth. The energy and expressive brushwork of the painting is simply my attempt to capture the overwhelming spectacle of this natural artistry, acknowledging the profound beauty that leaves the artist with “hardly anything to do.”
Similarly, Nirja, with its central lotus, is a meditation on the spiritual paradox of existence. The lotus is born in water, yet separate from it—so close but still so distant. This is a reflection on inner purity. The figure, or She, emerges from the crimson intensity of the pond, pure like the lotus and clean like the water. The painting calls us to find that inner stillness and grace, to remain untainted even while immersed in the passion and chaos of the world.
This artwork, titled “Kalapi is a peacock..”, is a stunning oil on canvas, measuring 36″ x 36″.
For an art lover, several elements stand out:
- Subject and Title: The subject is a peacock, or Kalapi, which is a creature revered for its extraordinary natural beauty and vibrant plumage. The title immediately connects the viewer to this majestic bird.
- Technique and Medium: It is an Oil on Canvas, a classic and enduring medium that allows for rich texture, depth of color, and dynamic brushwork. The size (36″x36″) is substantial, allowing the image to have a strong presence.
- Color Palette: The artist’s use of color is the most striking feature. The description notes that the peacock seems to have been “bewtowed him all the colors of the nature… as if a live colourpalette.” The painting is dominated by intense, warm tones—vibrant golds, fiery oranges, and deep reds, contrasted sharply with the brilliant blues and rich greens of the peacock’s body and tail. This juxtaposition creates a dynamic, almost explosive energy, making the bird appear to emerge from a blaze of light or fire.
- Composition and Style: The style leans towards Expressionism or Abstract Expressionism in its application of paint. The brushwork appears energetic and loose, particularly in the background and the large, sweeping tail feathers, which verge on abstraction. The peacock itself is rendered with a mix of expressive freedom and enough detail to be recognizable, particularly the blue head. The composition is highly dynamic, suggesting movement, perhaps the bird in the act of dancing or displaying its fan.
- Artist’s Statement/Concept: The text provides a powerful concept: the artist feels the subject (the peacock/God/Nature) has essentially painted itself, “left hardly anything to do for me.” This speaks to a profound respect for the inherent artistry in nature. It suggests the artist’s role was not to invent, but to capture, channel, or respond to an existing, overwhelming beauty—the true “live colourpalette.” This elevates the work from a mere portrait of a bird to a meditation on nature’s perfection and the humility of the artist before it.
In essence, “Kalapi is a peacock..” is a vibrant, energetic celebration of natural beauty, rendered with a dynamic, expressive technique that emphasizes color and light, and imbued with a philosophical statement about the source of true artistic inspiration.