Posts

Opacity, Shadows and Reflections

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 Study in Opacity, Shadows and Reflections   Artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I try more complex subjects I imagined a rustic composition as a study in opacity, shadows and reflections Not one to shy away from a challenge, I put paint to paper ignoring all objections I decided to suggest the reflection of the egg and apple on the glass tabletop And to give a sense of depth I ventured to add shadows with a barebone backdrop Nothing like the delicious taste of a cold glass of farm-fresh milk each morn With a couple of free range eggs made just the way you like at break of dawn You really don't need an extensive breakfast menu with exotic sounding dishes Add a nice juicy apple plucked from the tree - farm to table ne'er ever misses

My Beloved Wife

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 Ode to My Beloved Wife   Artwork and ode to my dearest wife by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 Gliding effortlessly, she blots out the sunset, pure poetry in motion. No matter what life throws at her, she's the epitome of motherly devotion! Putting her own career on ice, she became the loving mother of our two kiddos. Dropping them off to how many music, art and sporting lessons, heaven knows! A homemaker's job is one of endless giving, the glue that keeps us together. The captain of the ship, she shows up daily, sunshine or stormy weather Let's take a moment to salute the wives in our lives, for all they have done Words aren't enough but thanks to you, I know I'm truly the blessed one

Consummate Artist

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 The consummate artist   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, shout out to the many artists who push themselves for the sheer love of their craft The curtain call is over, the crowds have gone home, she sits alone… A deep sense of gratitude washes over her, she can feel it in her bones The love for her craft keeps her going, even when there's no ones watching. She understands she must play the game, her producers need to hear ka-ching She also knows the thrill of doing a job well, and gives it her all every time Somewhere in the audience, a young girl's making memories of a lifetime That's how the torch is quietly passed on from one generation to the next We all need a role model who inspires us to strive daily to reach our apex

Negative Painting

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Study in Negative Painting   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue exploring watercoloring techniques The process of carving out shapes by painting the background  Building depth so the object pops out by coloring all around The tight flower buds bloom to reveal gently tinged petals I chose Payne’s Grey so that the shadow and shape settles I let the entire work evolve on a blank page as color and water mixed Knowing when to let go is important so the ethos doesn’t get nixed

Contours and Perception

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 Study in Contours and Perception   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue to explore nuances of watercolor painting I came across a striking artwork of a blue ceramic bowl containing fish. A striking composition of silvery smelt snug in the contours of the dish!  The curvature of the blue lines lend a sense of volume and depth. Overlapping fish randomly stacked give a perspective of added breadth! The way the surfaces diffuse or reflect light is so fascinating. The glazed dish diffuses colors while the silvery fish are animating. The shadow of the bowl adds another dimension to the art! I had fun painting it and hope you liked taking it apart

Reality Check

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 Reality check   Artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, bemoaning the manmade disaster_ There's something unhinged in the Western Wing, no one seems in charge Ranting and raving the Mad Hatter lies audaciously to everyone at large Disjointed policy statements tweeted in all caps are tangled in knots Half way around the world, incendiary bombs driven by AI take pot shots Time for a reality check, open the windows and let some fresh air inside Cool the overheated testosterone egos, and let common sense be the guide Listen to the voice of wisdom, learn from the hubris of history's mistakes When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging and put an end to heartbreaks

Ink Sketch

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 Quick Sumi-E Ink Sketch   Loose Sumi-E ink artwork and original ode to the dragonfly by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 Let me introduce you to the percher dragonfly - scanning the skies for prey The hapless victim is brought down in mere seconds, no getting away Today’s ink wash took me less than a minute, anything more won’t do They are fiercely territorial and rivals they’ll chase away and hotly pursue Today’s a hot day and it keeps its body erect to radiate heat quickly Being cold blooded they monitor their temperature rather strictly Honed over millions of years, they have a 95% success rate  Any flies or bugs unlucky to spot one knows it’s already too late