monkey

In this painting by Costa Rica artist Olga Saenz Carbonell, a howler monkey appears to gaze wistfully off of the canvas. Carbonell paints in an expressionist style, choosing colors of purple, green, and blue to represent the monkey's fur. Says the artist, "As a tour guide in the jungles of Costa Rica, I am often in contact with these beautiful and innocent creatures. Their gaze always draws my attention; it seems sad, and always strongly fixed on its subject, whether it be a fruit, a leaf, or the tallest branch of a tree. This is a painting that speaks to that ineffable sadness found in the gaze of the howler monkey."

Titled Aullador in Spanish.

Devendra Kumar Jha works with natural vegetable dyes on handmade paper to create this stunning Madhubani painting. Madhubani, a traditional style of Indian painting, features eye-catching geometric shapes created with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. This painting depicts lots of colorful birds, bugs, monkeys and reptiles as they sit amongst the branches of a leafy tree.

Carrying blue offering bowls, three happy little boys shyly ask for alms. In Northern Thailand, people take off their shoes and sit or kneel when giving alms. Rutchanok Jinapun depicts young Buddhist novices on the first step toward becoming monks.

Rama is the protagonist in the Hindu epic poem, Ramayana, or "Romance of Rama." Originally written in Sanskrit, it tells the story of Rama, the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu, who eventually wins the hand of Sita in marriage. Displaced as rightful heir to his father's throne, Rama goes into exile with Sita and his brother Lakshmana but, while in exile in the forest, Sita is abducted by Rahwana, the lust-driven ogre king. Aided by the monkey general Hanuman, Rama searches for Sita and slays Rahwana, rescuing his wife. After his success, he soon returns to his rightful place as king.

Working in the traditional Madhubani style, Devender Kumar Jha depicts people of the kingdom rejoicing as Rama returns triumphant to Ayodya. Elephants and cows join the victory celebrations. Originating in northern Bihar, Madhubani painting was once used to decorate the floors and walls of homes.

As each painting is an individual creation, each is unique. Colors and motifs may vary slightly from that pictured.