handmade

Gond people consider elephants to be the wisest and most graceful creatures in nature, adoring them in their artistic expressions. As part of this rich culture, Indian artisan Vidushini paints a traditional portrait of a blue elephant with a tree growing from its large trunk, symbolizing the harmony between the all-natural elements of the earth. This artwork is made with ancient techniques, using acrylic on handmade paper, as is tradition.

A quiet, meandering stream cuts through a snow-covered forest in Indian artist Aditi Mukhopadhyay’s impressionist watercolor painting rendered on handmade paper. Boasting rich shades of blue and violet, the stream reflects the surrounding bare trees in earthy shades, their branches stretching upward and slightly inward, guiding the viewer’s eye toward the center of the scene. The background transitions softly into muted hues of blue and grey, suggesting mist or distant hills cloaked in snow, enhancing the painting’s tranquil atmosphere.

Working with a mix of watercolor, acrylic, and ink on handmade paper, Indian artist Sunil Jaiswal offers this depiction of the Hindu god Ganesha. Known as Srishti Ganapati, this depiction is but one of the 32 versions of Ganapati, or Ganesha. This painting features hues of brown, yellow, red, and blue, depicting the elephant-headed god as he holds a symbol of blessing in one hand and his favorite dessert, laddu, in the other. His "vehicle," a mouse, rests in the foreground.

Indian artist Aditi Mukhopadhyay beautifully executes a quiet, tender moment between two birds perched on bare branches. In a simple yet expressive composition, the birds are rendered in warm, earthy tones of ochre and burnt sienna with striking accents of blue and deep black on their wings and heads, giving them both a lifelike and slightly whimsical character. The background is a soft, textured wash of browns and ambers, suggesting a late autumn or early winter setting. Fine, delicate branches weave through the background, enhancing the natural and intimate feel. The artist works with watercolors on handmade paper to create this impressionist scene.