Kieran's Art

 Lessons of Eight Ball   Watercolor painting and inspirational poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue to explore light and shadow in glass objects To be " behind the eight ball ", means you are in a precarious situation Sounds familiar? Instead of options, you feel frustration and vexation The phrase comes from billiards when sinking the 8-ball means victory. It's the last ball to play but the cue ball's position is contradictory!! Without a clean look, the specter of failure could easily immobilize you! When the going gets tough, the tough get going, not time to feel blue. You size up the situation, using experience to choose the best way out Fortune favors the brave. In life acting decisively is what it's about

 Glass of different shapes and colors Original painting and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue exploring light and shadow in glass Volcanic obsidian was probably the first glass used by early man. It had a sharp hard edge that came in handy as a tool for caveman! During making of ceramic, ash and sand fused under very high heat Sparking the glass making industry; ‘twas highly sought by the elite. Blown glass in 1st century BC Syria, was highly prized by the Romans  Glass making flourished in the Renaissance becoming Bohemian. Stained glass in cathedrals painted elaborate stories in color and light Familiarity with glass, all but makes us forget glassmaking at its height

 Salute to Ranchhodas Pagi   Original watercolor painting by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the incredible story of a humble camel herdman during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars In no-man's land where one wrong step could mean instant death, India’s greatest weapon during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak was not state of the art reconnaissance, or night vision binoculars, but the eyes of a Rabari herder from Banaskantha, Gujarat trained to read footprints in the sand. On the Gujarat border, in the vast and unforgiving Rann of Kutch, lived Ranchhodas Pagi (also spelled Ranchhod Pagi or Ranchordas Pagi), a humble camel herder. His name Pagi comes from pag, meaning foot, because he could estimate the direction, of travel, approximate number of people, and timing just by reading footprints in the sand.    What sounded like a fairy tale would soon change the course of the war. During the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Pakistani troops captured India’s Vidhkot police post. The India...

 What's in the name Orange ...   Original watercolor and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue exploring shadows The fruit originated as 'nāraṅga' in the foothills of the Himalayas And was known as 'nāranj' in Arabic and 'naranja' with nary a Spanish bias The French dropped the 'n' not to confuse how 'une orange' sounded The name stuck in English and Dutch as it became well grounded But what of William I, Prince of Oranje, who revolted against Spain? That name comes from the old Roman town Arausio where he doth reign William III of Orange, a descendant became King of the British Isles Color Orange became the banner of Protestanism like the Nederlandophile

 The First Kiss of the Sun   Loose watercolor and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 Oh how comforting to know that even after the darkest coldest night The sun will always burst forth bringing with it warmth and daylight It behooves us to remember that nothing last forever, nothing ever will In the midst of the storm keep faith and you'll find peace and tranquil The temptation is to take charge and get control - that's a big mistake The blade of grass bends to the wind, the stubborn bamboo snaps and breaks Experience teaches us when to fight and when to lay low, that's for sure This too shall pass, live to fight another day; don't be rash and immature

 Tales of a Sun Dappled Window   Loose line and wash watercolor and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by a photo sent by a dear friend (No, I'm not good enough to take requests so don't even think about it 😅) A well meaning friend sent me a picture of a charming cottage window. Draped in all shades of blue from sky to cerulean to cobalt and indigo! The window muntins and sash were bleached by the Mediterranean sunshine. The window panes weren't broken and the neat lace curtains were by design. The genteel owners clearly love fragrant sprigs of blue geraniums in pots. The bright red porcelain vase quietly suggests holiday to some exotic spots. If only the walls could speak what stories would they tell to you and me? Pour yourself a cuppa coffee and let the visual carry you away to gay Capri