Kieran's Art

 As American as Apple Pie? Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, inspired by the delicious Apple Pie baked by my son - hurray to Apple season Apple Pie has a long European tradition that the Pilgrim Fathers brought to these shores. Let me unpack why we love to say, "It's as American as Apple Pie" ... 'tis the world wars. Back in the day, native crabapples are quite tart but plentiful - but to eat as much as to cook Homemade cider flowed freely and the humble Apple pie entered into the American way of life book The Yankee soldier was bogged down in a long and seemingly endless war, far away from home. So the army came up with something, short and sweet. 'twas "For Mama and Apple Pie" syndrome. A few words to inspire the US troops to protect — "home, family, and the American way of life". And it worked like a charm; The troops started wreaking havoc, familiar to butter and a hot knife.

 The Shrewd Sparrow   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, dedicated to the childhood memory of Sparrows Sparrows adapted to living near humans thousands of years ago, shrewd birds Their chittering was a soothing sign that everything was okay in the world They did not need much to build their untidy nests - a cracked tile or old shoe. Not one to fuss about aesthetics, their house was so messy, you'd say, "phee ewe" Quick to learn, they knew when it was time to gather for a feast of cooked rice. The cacophony of the feeding frenzy drew other sparrows to eat it in a trice. Sadly with the loss of habitat and the proliferation of pigeons, they're hard to spot But never count out the shrewd sparrow, the ultimate survivor who can teach us a lot

 Ode to the Lotus   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Choose to live life like the Lotus that rises above it's squalid circumstances. Rejecting all the negativity to radiate instead hope and the beauty it enhances. The seed pod is resilient remaining dormant until it senses a proper growing condition. Scientists have sprouted seeds over a thousand years old, with nary a sign of decomposition. The broad leaves provide shade and protection from predators - creating rich biomes. Lotuses are easily cloned from the stubby underground stems that are called rhizomes.   Carp, koi, catfish, frogs and turtles thrive in lotus ponds, feeding off the debris. While aquatic snails, shrimp and small crabs keep the bottom healthy and algae-free.

 Message in the Bottle   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2024, dedicated to Edgar Allan Poe's seminal poem, "The Raven"    Walking along the seashore not long ago, a glint of sunlight caught the corner of my eye. 'Well, well, what do we have here?, I mused, "Could it really be a message in a bottle I spy?" I hesitated to open it, pondering what dark secret it might unleash to torment my imagination. "That only happens in movies", a voice whispered in my ear, "Why resist the temptation?" Just then, a solitary raven with plumage as dark as the devil's soul fluttered clumsily overhead. It's sharp ' kraaa, kraaa, caaawww ' pierced my ears and rattled my bones filling me with dread. That was all I needed to know. Keeping my eyes on the mystery bottle, I backed away in sheer fright. With muffled echoes of "Lenore, Lenore, nevermore, nevermore", letting it be, was best in hindsight!  PS Check out the c...

 The Curse of the Rose   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 The rose rues the day it was born Mercilessly cut off, despite its thorn Why can’t we enjoy it where it blooms? Why must we severe it and hasten its doom? What if it were snarly and plain disgusting  Would it still be the object of our lusting?  If God intended it to be put on display Wouldn’t he have grown it in a bouquet?

 An Ode to Oyster Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 Not only is the Oyster shell beautiful to look at, but it is a marvel of evolution. Nacre, also called mother of pearl, is the perfect rugged security-vault solution. Thanks to its microscopic multilayered structure, its toughness is 3000 times stronger. Inspiring material engineers to study it to make industrial products last much longer. But at a poetic level, when an impurity such as a grain of sand irritates the oyster, It starts secreting nacre layer by layer, creating a precious pearl in the cloister. What better metaphor for all of us, to transform our problems into something sublime They say when life gives you a lemon, make a Margarita, but it takes patience and time

 Fall splendour   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, inspired by the spate of majestic photographs of Fall in Eastern Canada and US Fall is nature's time to put on a colourful spectacle; what a glorious sight to behold! The sugar maples burst aflame in striking hues of scarlet red, blood orange and gold.   One last extravaganza before nature submits to the smothering wintry blanket of snow  'Tis not the time for modesty or reserve, now's the time to put on one heck of a show   The Ashes too join in with a blush of crimson red like a debutante on her first date It's now or never. They know 'tis their time to put on their charm ere it's too late   Like a Meteorite that streaks across the night sky, ablaze even in the throes of death Lessons for us all that when it is our time to go, let's do in style to our last breath

 The Flirt Artwork and original whimsical poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, inspired by an evocative minimalist chalk drawing He sits there motionless, cigarette in his hand burning slowly - not that he seems to care. Through his dark shades, is he watching her watch him across the room in a Parisienne Cafe? He is nursing a Rémy Martin on the rocks; The man's got style, she muses, ‘Is he out for a fling?’ Is he really scouting me out, she wonders? Or is he just lost in his thoughts oblivious to everything? 'Does he not know that I'm engaged?' she wonders, touching her solitaire as she sips her Stella Right on cue he puts the Cognac to his lips and drains it bottoms up. Hmm, what a strange fella! ‘Will that be all for today?’, asks the Maître d'hôtel, ‘See you same time tomorrow again?’ ‘À demain, monsieur!’, he nods in reply. Then he sauntered off with his white mobility cane 🦯

 Happy Diwali   Original artwork by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 May the festival of lights brighten your spirit, renew your hopes, and fill your home with laughter, and love.

  Sunburst Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025 reminding me of our stays at our ancestral home in Goa I love how the sunburst echoes the warm glow of a hearth with dinner on the way. The rain's good for the fields. Mum's comfort soup is good for the soul. O Yeah!   The cicadas are chirping in a raucous cacophony that they find oh so charming. On cue, the frogs start croaking. The rookies learn from the pros performing      The cattle are chewing cud as they settle down for the night on a bed of hay. All in all, another typical evening in the village. We like to keep it that way.   Life is simple without all the hustle and bustle. Busy from morning to night Working with our hands, keeping a time-tested routine, and that's quite alright.

 Rainbow Hill      TGIF, Welcome to a splash of colour, I call Rainbow Hill Freestyle painting in a  wide range, all mellow and pastel

 Storm at Sea   Original painting and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, after a brief hiatus I'm back to painting and loving it. Hope you do too There's a storm at sea. Is it Neptune throwing a temper tantrum, proud and loud? The Gods know what to do. Apollo sends down a ray of hope through the dark cloud.   It hits the lighthouse, sending a beacon of hope to the world. It will be all right. No storm lasts forever; just wait patiently for dawn after even the darkest night.   Every so often, life throws you a curveball, a bolt from the blue that seems unfair. Hold on to your britches, something exciting may be round the corner, say a prayer.   Goes to show you should ne'er give up hope, after the thunderstorm comes a rainbow Each day is a new day, grab your opportunities, seize the moment, set your own tempo!