The Coup Card

Ever since I started working with chalk, people have been approaching me to create illustrations and do lettering in that medium.

And I couldn't complain because it really is fun.

Brown Paper Bag was relaunching the Coup Card which is their culinary loyalty program. On purchasing this card one can avail discounts at Mumbai's best bars and restaurants. It's pretty cool. Totally worth it. Not sure why I don't have one yet actually.

Now the Coup Card website has a whole chalk art look going on.

And so Bpb asked me if I'd do some chalk art video for them.

But not with chalk.

So I created digital illustrations for them that just looked like chalk.

And with it 3 fun videos were created.

Here's how it turned out.

Illustrations by me.

Produced by Supari Studios.

Terttulia

Remember when I woke up one day and decided to draw on the wall in my room?

Well, it wasn't that long ago.

If you don't remember, I have a video to prove it.

Well, that was just practice.

Now people hire me to draw on their walls.

How cool is that?

And sometimes people refer to me as a chalk artist.

Or that girl who does chalk art.

I find it funny because chalk is just a medium.

I could scribble on your wall with just about anything.

Not a problem.

Terttulia, a popular restaurant in Pune, opens in Bombay today.

But the food isn't the only thing that I'm excited about.

It's also the art on the walls of the restaurant.

Because I was responsible for it.

I've done a mix of illustration and hand lettering and it was a lot of fun.

It was a lot of work for one person so I worked on it with the wonderful Rabanne (he makes furniture too) who was just the best guy to hang out with - while working, traveling, lunching and dinnering (my English isn't bad. I just have a talent for making up words).

Here are a few photos of the restaurant:

You can see more photos on my website. And then some more.

I've eaten a bunch of things there but highly recommend the mud cake.

It makes you forget all the troubles of this world and temporarily makes you feel as happy as a new born baby.

If you plan on going there, here's the address:

Terttulia

Ground Floor, Hotel Parkway,

Near Natural Ice Cream,

Shivaji Park, Mumbai

Comfort Food

What do you consider to be good comfort food?

For me it's always been Pasta.

Spaghetti to be specific.

All I need is spaghetti, a homemade tomato sauce, grated cheese and a TV and I'm all set.

Don't worry, I don't eat the TV. I just watch it.

TV's don't really mix well with tomato sauce.

Pasta; It's what I eat when I'm sad, have just recovered from an illness or have come back from a long holiday and missed home.

Ok, so to be honest I just eat it all the time.

It makes me happy.

Everyone who knows me well enough knows about this love of mine.

And I have a beautiful pasta poster from Italy that hangs in my kitchen thanks to such friends.

The Geometry of Pasta from Pan Marketing on Vimeo.

Yesterday, while wasting my afternoon on Instagram, I came across a book called The Geometry of Pasta.

It's about Pasta.

And it doesn't take a genius to figure that out.

But it's not only about making pasta but about making the perfect pasta.

Pairing the right pasta shape with the right sauce.

And how to get it right and turn from an average cook to a great cook.

Atleast that's what it says on the website.

To me, the book looks great.

What it is, is an amazing compilation of recipes by critically acclaimed chef Jacob Kenedy and uber-cool black and white illustrations by Caz Hildebrand.

And it seems to have great reviews too.

For those of you who spill sauce over all your beautiful cookbooks, here's some good news for you  - an App is also being developed.

So you can save the book and just mess up your gadgets instead.

But till the App is available in the App store, you can cover your book with one of these beauties - the Book on Book glass cover by Tent.

via SwissMiss

Buon Appetito!

Buy the book here. And other stuff here.

Happy Mother's Day

There's no place like home.

Because Home is where your Mom is.

I know Mother's Day, like many other days has been created so everyone can make some money while you shop for your mother.
But who cares?
In my opinion, everyday should be Mother's Day.

So do something special for your mother today.

I was thinking of making some art for her or cooking her something.
And then I saw this.

 Chocolates by Chef Jorge Llanderal

What a brilliant way of killing two birds with one stone.

Happy Mother's Day!

Typographic video by me.

It's time for a Tattoo

Don't get fooled by the title of this post.

I'm not getting a tattoo.

Well, atleast not a real one.

Why?

To put it simply, I'm a wuss who has commitment issues with permanent art.

Now I'm not much of a cook.

To put it simply, I am lazy and have no patience.

But whenever my mum is making a lasagne or cannelloni, I love assiting her in assembling everything.

So I'm guessing that means I have some interest.

And then today I read about I Tradizionali on Fast Co. Design.

via

I Tradizionali shows us a fun way to cook without a recipe book.

They make cool temporary tattoos of recipes.

All you have to do is slap on the tattoo on your wrist.

And you're set.

No need to waste time browsing through books or your iPad searching for Youtube videos.

In this way you can also have a badass look from a distance (it is a recipe after all, and not a skull).

And wash it off once you're done.

If you're a fan of well designed temporary tattoos, also check out Tattly - because they're the coolest.

I'm with child too

Painting for my friend's baby by me.

A lot of my friends have been having babies lately.
And I really didn't want to know how anything happens.

I have always believed that ignorance is bliss.

Unfortunately, my friends give me details that I really wish I didn't know.

I know you're done with it but do you really have to torture the rest of us with that information?

I can say that I really don't know what you're going through as a pregnant person.

But for some strange reason, whenever I'm having a conversation with someone who's let's say 'with child', I just start talking like I understand what they're going through.

I know you (with your hormones) want to slap me with a big pomfret but I'm just trying to understand what you're going through. I usually compare childbirth to the most painful experiences in my life (don't worry, I won't name them) and ask if it's anything close to that.

I once went shopping for dresses with a then pregnant friend.

I tried on an XS instead of my usual size which is S and boy oh boy, did I get a backache while trying to squeeze myself out of that dress.

And when I told my pregnant friend this, I got this look from her.

Cue: Pomfret slap.

And here's a recent conversation I had with a currently pregnant friend:

Friend: Nowadays I like wearing dresses. It's just more comfortable.

Me: Yea, I know what you mean. I too always wear dresses when I go out for dinner [holding my stomach and thinking of my food baby].

I can't have something holding my stomach when I'm eating. It's just so uncomfortable.

Cue: Pomfret slap.

While this was happening, another friend of mine started laughing and signaled me to shut up and stop making an ass of myself.

Well, to be fair, babies are babies, whether made up of human stuff or food.

Same same. But different.

by Marion Fayolle

A friend of mine sent me this article with amazingly funny drawings by Marion Fayolle.
What's great about it is how provocative and absurd it is at the same time.
The surreal but easily understandable illustrations just bring a smile to your face.

by Horyon Lee

And then while browsing I came across this article with oil paintings by Horyon Lee.
The motion shown in these paintings flirt a little with your mind.
Who knew paintings could be so seductive and beautiful?

Both of these pieces of art are so suggestive.
Same same. But different.

Say hello to Tangerine Arts Studio

There's one more reason to love Bandra.

Tangerine Arts Studio, has opened it's doors and is calling everyone over.

Tangerine is a studio space that holds classes ranging from Yoga, Zumba, Muay Thai, Belly dance, Contemporary and Bollywood dance daily from Monday to Saturday.

But it doesn't end just there. 

Every weekend one can also attend different fun workshops like different forms of dance and even hula hooping.

Founder Tanvi Mehra, is not only my yoga teacher but also a very dear friend.

From the very first time I entered this studio I fell in love with it.

It is a beautiful space with a warm wood floor and big windows on one side that draw all the sunlight in. And all around the studio one can see frames and other decorative elements put together by Rabanne Jamsandekar. Two of the walls are blanketed with floor to ceiling mirrors (perfect for dance rehearsals) and Tanvi was kind enough to give me the third wall to decorate with chalk art.

Creating the chalk art while my patient sister took photos for my stop motion video.

The studio just has such good energy. It draws you in.

Last weekend was the official launch of Tangerine Arts Studio at what was called the Big Juicy Weekend.

It began on Friday with a wonderful party hosted by Tanvi at the studio followed by 2 days of free classes in yoga, belly dance, contemporary, tap, salsa, hula hoop and much much more.

At the launch of Tangerine Arts Studio

The studio conducts classes daily from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.
For anyone who wants to get fit or learn something new while having a good time, this is the place to go.

Tangerine Arts Studio

2nd Floor, Rukhsana, Near Puja Casa, Nargis Dutt Road, Pali Hill, Bandra, Mumbai

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Reliving memories through Art

Even though I'm an artist, I always feel like I don't paint enough.

But after I got back from Germany I felt so inspired with the beauty.

I started painting again.

I'd wake up early and spend my mornings in my balcony with my canvas propped up on my easel ready to get a makeover.

I painted from photographs from my trip.

Here is the result.

Blautopf, Blaubeuren - Acrylic on canvas

The forest, Grosshoechberg - Acrylic on Canvas

All I can say is there was no better way to relive those memories than through art.

Photos and paintings by me.

Paper ♥ Moleskine

Remember Paper by Fiftythree?

The iPad App for drawing.

It was just brilliant for it's simplicity.

And I'm sure you've heard of Moleskine.

The beauteous notebooks from notebook heaven.

Well, they have an App too.

And now imagine marrying the two.

Ok so you don't need to imagine it really because they made a beautiful baby and called it Book.

Now you can print the art that you create on Paper on Italian-made, premium matte paper and turn it into 15 page Japanese style Accordion fold books.
You can choose a custom cover or go with the classic Moleskine hardcover and even have the name of your book printed on the spine.

How great is that?

Each book costs $40. If you think that's cheap and have more money to spend check out Pencil.

Discovering Auvers-sur-Oise

via

A few weeks ago I visited some friends in Paris.
And together we did a day trip to Auvers-sur-Oise, a town only 30km from Paris.
It's where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted for the last 3 months of his life.

We took the train from Paris to Auvers-sur-oise one morning and spent the entire day there.
It was a day so well spent.

Jumping in the Wheatfields

I have always been a fan of Van Gogh's.
Maybe because he was the first artist I ever knew of at age 5.
Back then I knew nothing about art or his distinct style or anything about his life.
But when I went home after visiting the museum and seeing his art, I painted my own version of Van Gogh's sunflowers.
What's funny is that I still remember how I was convinced that our paintings looked identical.
I love how confident and sure of myself I was at that age even when I didn't make sense.

Sketch of Eglise Auvers-sur-Oise by me

So when I got to visit Auvers-sur-oise and see where he lived and painted, it was quite an experience for me.
Van Gogh wanted to leave the hustle and bustle of Paris and so this is where he moved to find peace in the countryside.
He made 80 paintings in 70 days.

The size of his room at the Auberge Ravoux was tiny (only 7 sq.m.) and it seemed pretty depressing.
But Van Gogh didn't really paint here since it wasn't allowed so his paintings were mainly landscapes, and churches. And he also did a couple of portraits.
When you walk around the town you can actually see where each painting was painted.

Room No.5 on the 2nd floor of the Auberge Ravoux.

He was very close to his brother Theo [Thedore Van Gogh] and Dr. Gachet and wrote to them often.
Through his letters one can see that he was quite depressed - like an artist so immersed in his art that he drowned in it and couldn't come up for air and save himself.

Van Gogh shot himself in the wheatfields and came back to his room to die. He was only 38.
Dr. Gachet and Theo were by his side at his death.

Vincent and Theo's graves.

Van Gogh's life was as depressing as his art was beautiful.
It's sad that his art was appreciated only after his death.
Today people adorn their walls with his prints.
Some are even using his art to make art of their own.
While other's are making a feature length animation based on his life.



Here are some of his works juxtaposed with the locations where they were painted.

The Church at Auvers, 1890

Wheatfield with crows, July 1890

We ended the day with a picnic by the river Oise.
We bought some ham and camambert to eat with our baguettes.
And eclairs for dessert.

The day couldn't have been more perfect.

Photos by me.

Back to School

I am always wanting to learn something new.

This year I have learnt how to cycle (finally!), taken a hula hooping class, yoga (again) and even learnt sewing.

But you can never be done learning so I have decided to do a new course. An art course.

I always get so caught up in my work that I feel like I don't have time to do basic things like drawing.

Which is sad because I am a graphic designer.

Most people around me think I am a penniless artist who paints all day.

And I wish it were true.

The painting all day part. Not the penniless part.

I feel like I never have the time to paint.

So I have decided to make time.

Because you always can if you really want to.

You just have to prioritize.

And make sure you don't stare at the wall for as long as you do when you wake up.

I started an online art course today called Introduction to Art on Coursera.

Coursera doesn't have as many art courses as Skillshare but I decided to try it out anyway.

It's a 7 week long course which may seem a little long to commitment-phobes so if you are one but you still want to make something but in one go, have a look at the Etsy blog. There's something fun for everyone!

DIY via Etsy

The Introduction to Art Course that I'll be taking covers a bit of Art History and actual practical work where you get to create your own little works of art.

It's meant for anyone and everyone - even those with no art background and you learn through video tutorials and reading and get to submit assignments and even do peer assessments.

I'm looking forward to all the reading. I did some on my own today too in my extended lunch break.

So here's some random colour trivia - Did you know that pink is the leftovers of white light when you take away green? So it essentially is - minus green.

Can't wait to learn more random information that in no way will affect my life but is still exciting to know.

But, what I love/ hate most about it is that you have to do this course purely on self motivation.

There are no fees. It's free. And no one is forcing you to submit assignments. You just do if you want to. 

And there's no one who's going to question you about it the next day either.

Also, I have always hated critiques. Because everyone has an opinion and sometimes they are negative and the negative ones hurt. But doing it all online somehow makes it seem less intimidating and competitive and more enjoyable.

So here's to a great 1st week of this course where I hope to paint the town red.

And blue. And green. And yellow. And maybe even purple.

Photo by me.

Missed Connections

Photo of my copy of Missed Connections by me.

I received a book I ordered in the mail today. Yay!

It's like receiving a present from yourself.

You know it's coming but you are just as excited as you'd be if it were a surprise.

Yes, receiving packages releases endorphins (atleast in my case).

The early birthday present to myself is a book called Missed Connections: Love Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall.

I had read about it a while ago and bookmarked it for days when I have time for bookmarks (which is never).

Months later I checked it out on Amazon and had a little looksie and then went ahead and ordered it on Flipkart.

The book is a collection of illustrated Craigslist Missed Connections.

A longer than usual glance, a friendly stare, a moment shared.

In the most unusual situations.

Doing laundry in our building

Girl sleeping on train

We shared a Bear suit

The short descriptions and fun illustrations take your mind on a picnic.

Or wherever your happy place is.

Because as light and funny as this book may be, you do connect with it.

We've all experienced it.

You know what I'm talking about.

Like when you saw a really goodlooking man and you imagined him to have all the world's goodness.
He was sitting close enough for you to make good eye contact.

But not close enough to have a conversation.
So you just smiled for more than 5 seconds.

Which made you look slightly creepy.

But, since you'd never see him again, it didn't really matter.

Because

Life goes on.

And we all live happily ever after.

Even with the Missed Connections.

You may want to check out Sophie Blackall's website, blog, etsy shop, Facebook page, Twitter page and other books & leave absolutely no room for Missed Connections!

Do what you Love. Love what you Do.

I have always had a great appreciation for art. Of every kind.

And I also love it when others feel the same way so I can share my enthusiasm.

But what's even more fascinating for me is when people have their very own creative projects.

As a hobby and not as a business. Just because it makes them happy.

They have interests which may be completely different from their day jobs.

And it's just incredible when they convert these interests into hobbies and make time for it just for the love of the art.

While at the Machan, we met a really nice couple from America.

I needed to write something down so I borrowed a pen from them. It was a fountain pen.

And it had been really long since I used one.

Now I almost never compliment someone for their pen but this time I just had to.

It was just so smooth.

And when I said Nice pen, the man said, Thanks, I made it.

Whaaat!?!

I have never known anyone who makes pens.

Because noone is crazy enough to spend hours and days making something they can buy at any store.

But how awesome a hobby is that?

He showed me pictures of the entire process.

He collects pieces of wood from anywhere and everywhere.

And he even has special tools to shape them.

Once they are shaped, he puts a protective coating and then attaches the metal fixtures.

It seems like quite a tedious process but I suppose when that's what you love doing, tedious is the last thing you'd call it.

The Ebony ball point pen and Amboyna Fountain pen by Glen Wingerd.

He showed me a series of pens.

The Ebony (from which the black keys of the piano are made) is jet black in colour and almost looks like plastic.

There was also a Cedar, palm, and many more. Even one made from the Jack Daniel's Whiskey Barrels.

Each one in it's own plastic case. Ready for gifting.

They all looked so different and beautiful in their natural colours.

And he even dyed one pink for his wife.

Amazing!

He was kind enough to let me take one home.

And I chose the Amboyna (a south-east Asian tree).

It had little holes in it which he had filled up with powdered turquoise.

You've got to love the details!

The Fountain pen made of Amboyna wood.

I'm in love with my new pen.
And so glad I met this lovely couple.
Not just for giving me such a beautiful handmade gift.
But for inspiring me.


Do what you love. And do it often.

Letterpress greeting cards by Yoko Sakao Ohama for Holstee.

Our very own wax museum

On my way back from the Machan, I finally made it to the Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavla.

Yes, it actually exists.
And it's the first of it's kind in India.

I have passed it a few times but have never made it there.

I would always see the hoardings on the Expressway and be bursting with curiosity.

It's a wax museum in Lonavla for God's sake!

Wouldn't you be curious?

Now it's no Madame Tussaud's but it's still pretty awesome.

- With it's random selection of wax figures.

- Non-museum like museum.

- And it's in Lonavla!

All photos by me.

The Celebrity Wax Museum is by Mr. Sunil Kandalloor.

He says that it takes him a month to complete a wax figure.
And also mentioned how hard it is to get appointments with the 'stars' in Bombay.
I suppose they all want to be showcased in London.

Me and Hitler at Madame Tussaud's [2004] and at the Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavla [2013]
And neither of us have changed!
Please note: I'm not a fan of Hitler. 

But, as they say on the hoardings (and car):

Why Visit London !!!

Especially when you have a wax museum in Lonavla.

I commend Mr. Sunil Kandalloor for building this museum.
You can see his love for the art, 

his dedication to this love which helped him realize his vision

and his complete craziness for actually going through with all of it.

Great stuff!

It's worth a visit.
Because how often would you be able to say that you spent an afternoon with Angelina Jolie and Saddam Hussein.

The Celebrity Wax Museum is open all days of the year from 9 am to 9:30 pm.

Tickets are priced at Rs. 100 for an adult and Rs. 80 for children.

And it's free for those below 5 years or under 120 cm.

[I don't really get the 120 cm concept. Is it free for those who are above 5 but short to make them feel better about their height?]

Order

I love order.

And I think I was this way from the minute I was born.

I'm guessing my mother was probably running some sort of baby military school in her tummy.

There couldn't be any other explanation.

I arrange everything around me.

- Napkins according to size

- Books according to their type

- Notes in my wallet according to the amount

- And don't get me started about my clothes.

I actually have a chart hanging in my cupboard with a diagram explaining the arrangement of items.

And that's not even for me.

It's for my mother incase she decides to 'surprise' rearrange my cupboard.

[She did it once and though I was trying so hard to be grateful, the new arrangement was driving me nuts].

I on the other hand don't need a diagram.

For me, it's always in my head so even on those days when my cupboard gets messy, it gets messy within this arrangement.

I call it the Method in the Madness.

Others call it Neha needs help.

When I was younger, I'd sharpen my pencils and clean my eraser every day after school and keep it ready for the next day.

Yes, I actually cleaned an eraser everyday.

My pencil box was always fully loaded and seemed almost ready for war.

The pencils were mightier than the sword.

Ok maybe it was just OCD.

But then I saw this.

Amazing wall mural of 12,000 pencil crayons by blackLAB Architects

And guess what - people are calling it ART!

If only someone had seen my pencil box.

Three Black Spots

Today is a super exciting day for me.
I woke up and I wanted to give myself a big hug.

Three Black Spots is now available in the Kindle store.
And I am the lucky one who got to design the book cover.
Yay!
And I also did all the illustrations in the book.
Double Yay!

Cover design + illustration by me.

This has been my favourite job till date and I just had to share it on my blog.

This book is for everyone - those who like to read and those who prefer to wait for the movie.

I clearly fall into the second category but reading this book was actually fun.
Even without the popcorn.

It's light and is very easy to get through with it's many short chapters that tell you fun stories about a dog named Yoda.

Yes, Yoda the wise Jedi Master from Star Wars.

Clearly there's a thing or two to be learnt from him.

He has travelled all over the world, enjoyed many wine tastings and has dealt with regular human problems like bad haircuts.

Something we all can relate to.

He enjoyed all the good things in life and makes you want to do the same with yours.

Three Black Spots - Our Adventures with Yoda by Mina & Mohan Krishnan is now available on Amazon.

You can buy the Kindle ebook here.
You know you want to.

You can read it on your Kindle.
And if you don't own a Kindle, don't worry, just get the Kindle App available on iPad, iPod touch and iPhone. And it's available on Android too! You can read it on pretty much any device. See below

Go to link

Let me know what you think.

Good feedback is always welcome.


[Advice from Thumper's dad for you]
[Advice for me just incase you don't listen to Thumper's dad]

Enjoy!

May the Force be with you.

I live under your sky too

Art installation by Shilpa Gupta. Photo by me

I walked by Carter Road last evening to see an Art installation by Contemporary artist Shilpa Gupta.

It was a simple thought put forward with the simplest words.

In three languages.

English, Hindi and Urdu.

Each one lighting up for a few seconds.

It was a beautiful evening with great weather, a speech by the artist and sweet music by a choir.

With these simple words forming the backdrop:

I live under your sky too.

It was pretty.
And made you think.
What's not to like?

This animated light art installation can be seen at the Amphitheater, Carter Road, Bandra, Mumbai untill 9 March, 2013.

Finders Keepers

If Samsung can be sued by Apple,

Can Apple be sued by Piccaso?

Picasso's Two Characters as my Desktop Wallpaper.

Does anything look familiar?
Do we call this inspired or pure coincidence?

The quick brown fox...

In college, I was a Typography student.

I carried my Typolog and Letraset with me everyday. And they were heavy books which had nothing in them besides the pangram - The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog written in hundreds of fonts.

Looking through these books everyday turned my mind into a kind of font book.
And when I'd be out and about and look at road signs and movie posters and shop name boards, I'd browse through my own little library and look through the hundreds of fonts embossed in my mind.
And most of the time I'd be able to tell which one it was.

Now it's not a talent that I was excited about and I felt more like a machine scanning a fingerprint to find a criminal.

While daydreaming, I visualised this line and decided to draw it out.

And then I thought why not make it a little more interesting and build a story around it.

Q: Why did the quick brown fox jump over the lazy dog?

A: Maybe he was the star acrobat in a circus jumping through a hoop of fire which was positioned right above the lazy dog who just happened to be drinking a glass of beer.

Or maybe not.

Erase and Rewind. 

But with the ballet shoes on. It's important for a fox to look foxy at all times.

Or maybe they were just auditioning for Rose's part in Titanic.

Drama drama drama!

Or maybe not.

I just wanted to have some fun.


Concept & all illustrations by me.