Kieran's Art

  Playing with fire Watercolour painting and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Not for nothing tis oft said, 'Don't ever play with fire' It invariably unleashes one's best and worst desires Emperor Nero callously fiddled even as Rome was burning Guy Fawkes in failure became the face of rebellion in yearning God smote debased Sodom with balls of fire in sheer disgust Vesuvius erupted sans warning, smothering Pompeii in dust The wheel and fire once propelled the human race over apes Craftsmanship bloomed with art of all colours and shapes Instead of making ploughshares, we chose to make spears Waging endless wars and driving Mother Earth to tears  Pray,  O Prometheus,  what prompted you to gift us fire?  Has it become the curse of the devil, our funeral pyre? Footnote: The painting was an innocent throwback to my joyous Scouting days when we camped and cooked food on an open campfire. The poem took a darker turn when I started introspecting about the dest...

  Eternal love Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 to comfort a childhood friend who lost her father You can see it coming, and you think you’ll be alright. But when it happens, it still feels like a thief at night. The loss is unbearable, the pain raw and deep, You desperately hold on, you struggle to keep. Sages, savants and poets have all had their say, None of it seems to matter, at least not today. Oh death, eternal love is the antidote to thy deadly sting… This too shall pass, the human heart is meant to soar on wings!!

  Gondolier Along with the Lion (and pigeons??) of St Mark Square (Piazza San Marco) and the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), an image of a Gondolier steering his Gondola along the Grand Canal (Canal Grande) is one of the iconic images of the unique City of Venice . The Gondolas are handcrafted in traditional shipyards called squeri, by skilled artisans called squerarioli, using around 280 wooden parts from eight different types of wood (oak, elm, walnut, cherry, larch, fir, mahogany, lime). The Tourism Office supports this craftsmanship through the El Felze Association, ensuring age‑old boatbuilding traditions are maintained as formalised under a European trademark since 1996 The design features an asymmetrical hull, allowing a single gondolier to navigate the boat using a single oar. Due to the asymmetrical shape of the gondola, rowing requires the gondolier to counterbalance and constantly adjust their position to steer straight. Steering the Gondola requires deep familiarity w...

  Alexander and Bucephalus Original painting by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Alexander the Great (356 BC – 323 BC) is regarded as one of history’s most brilliant military commanders (along with Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Napoleon Bonaparte et al).  By the time of his death at age 32, he had created one of the largest empires in the ancient world, stretching from Greece to Egypt and as far east as India. According to the historian Plutarch, when Prince Alexander was around 12 years old, a horse trader brought a magnificent albeit untamable black stallion named Bucephalus  to his father, King Philip II of Macedonia.  No one was able to tame it; all who tried to mount were immediately thrown off. Alexander, however, noticed that the horse was afraid of its own shadow. He turned Bucephalus toward the sun, so the horse couldn’t see its shadow. Speaking gently and keeping calm, Alexander mounted the horse and rode him with full control.  His father, King Philip, was s...

  Fractured Relations Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Life has its ways of pulling lovers apart But it can ne’er quench the desires of the heart  A loved one sacrificing it all for the front line Bereft lover gazes out the window for a sign Alzheimer's steals the memory of a beloved spouse Even together, it’s like no one’s in the house A misunderstanding can lead to a thaw in relations Each waiting foolishly for the other to rise to the occasion Grim reaper snatches your soulmate without warning Left too much unsaid now it’s too late; truly heartburning Far too busy reaching personal ambitions and goals No time for simple companionship and tender emotions Live in the moment, celebrate with friends and family Carpe diem, and you’ll live ever happily

  The Lotus and the Koi Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 The Lotus and the Koi, a study in elegance and grace Nature’s lesson on coexistence for the human race Consider the Lotus, it grows in waters dark and murky Still rises above its circumstances, looking cheerful and perky Making the most of its lot, the flowers are incredible  The stems are a culinary delight - they’re edible In Japanese culture, the Koi fish is a good luck charm Found everywhere in rivers, lakes and ponds, it’s the norm Said to be a harbinger of success and prosperity  Everyone wants one, a testament to their popularity There is much we can learn much from this unlikely pair  To be radiant, resilient, contented and thrive anywhere