The 50 Paintings Project

Painting  # 49

The Blue WOMAN by Gehna Mehra

This absolutely fine and alluring painting is a masterpiece of my dear friend Gehna Mehra .

Technically, what is interesting about this artwork  is that with a very limited color scheme she has succeeded in portraying the various shades and contours of female form ---which is as complex a form to paint as it is to understand :)

Using a cooler color like blue in the back ground to project the subject in the foreground is very appealing.

A self portrait in Oil on Canvas - it is more than just a painting.  Allow me to elaborate - 

The most complicated and interesting subject in the world of painting is the human body and it is also the most forceful tool of expression. So when an artist graduates to painting Nudes it marks a big leap in his/her confidence in self expression.

Painting a nude is like baring one's soul - and not being afraid to do so.

In the 1400's when Boticelli painted the Birth of Venus and a long time after that the nudes were made with physical perfection, with symmetrical body features, smooth skin, particular body proportions.

What is beautiful In Gehna's work is there is no attempt to imply or add qualities to the nude, freeing the female form from so many projections that are cast upon them - capturing it as it actually appears. 

Without the need for approval from anybody. Allowing the female form to  just be her own beautiful self and taking pride in that.

As I  wind up , I leave you with this last thought about this week's artist , Gehna Mehra , founder of Stree Astitva , a program for Women Empowerment, a Journalist, a Speaker , an Entrepreneur and an inspiration to many ----

 " The sexiest thing she wears is confidence! " 

Untill next week and the last painting of this project :) - Be your own kind of beautiful .