Kieran's Art

Rocks and Flowers   Watercolor painting by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by an artist who paints only wildflowers amidst rocks. It gave me great joy to visualise the different colours and texture that abound in nature, and I hope it brightens up your day too

 Just felt right for a glass of Chardonnay   Original watercolor and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the events of the day Today marked the start of the spring gardening season, a not a day too soon Wondering why? Wheeler's delivered a truckload of compost, 'tis such a boon. It's backbreaking work moving 10 cubic feet of fully broken organic compost After twelve months of prep it smells earthy and moist - black gold almost! It felt just right to kickback with a glass of my favorite chardonnay chilled And whole wheat crackers with smoky Gouda cheese and shrimp that's grilled A small reminder that spring is right round the corner an' I just can't wait To catch some sun while gardening - oh la la just thinking about it feels great

 The Esoteric Art of Painting Light and Shadow   Watercolor painting and artsy poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue practising (bumbling along) the elusive art Another reckless attempt at trying to capture the magic of light and shadow. A bowl of Red apples in a Crystal bowl with a sunburst adding to the glow! The contrasting shadow a hint of Burnt sienna blended in with Ultramarine blue. The dense crystal bowl randomly scattering light as it passes through and through! Fresh apples in Alazarin crimson with a touch of Crimson red add allure to the art. Finish it with a cool wash of Cerulean blue and Payne's grey for the background part! Light makes one approach the subject with humility, one can only try but there's more But thus just adds to the mystique with much to learn, and so many aspects to explore

 Ode to Mango, the King of Fruits   Watercolor painting and original ode by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, remembering the delicious Goan Mancurad mango of my childhood, a result of grafting introduced by Portuguese Jesuits over 500 years ago Permit me take you back to the mango groves of late 1500s in Portuguese Goa. Jesuit priests brought with them advanced fruit grafting knowledge from Lisboa! Until then the quality of mangoes were left to the whims of open pollination. Expert in grafting figs and citrus, good mangoes soon grew in any location The divine Afonso mango threw open the doors of the royal courts of Emperor Akbar Prompting dialogue between religious scholars all because the mango was the star   Akbar planted hundreds of thousands of mangoes in Darbhanga so smitten was he Making mango, famous for nectar sweetness, khushbu and texture, royal by decree  

 Carpe Diem   Artwork and pensive verse by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 Each day starts like a blank page gifted to all of us, whether rich and poor You can waste it away or grab the opportunities, c' est la vie de rigueur ! The hourglass focuses the mind on ' memento mori ’ or time is running out. With each passing moment the sand drains cautioning against fooling about. When the top is empty you simply turn it over and the cycle repeats again… Suggesting a second kick at the can, so take the plunge say the wise men!  Live in the moment, don't overthink the future or fret about the past. Enjoy each day for what it brings because even this moment will not last.

 A glass of wine to your health   Original artwork and ode by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, to an occasional glass of wine over dinner with family and friends A toast to the heart-to-heart conversations shared over a glass of wine! This nectar of the Gods relaxes moods and creates memories that's so fine. In times of yore, this fermented drink was far the safest libation to drink. Elevating the human mind to negotiate and seal deals with a wee lil clink!   Grape vineyards first sprung up in the Caucasus mountains 8000 years ago. And it spread wherever the Greeks and later the Romans would happen to go. A glass or two of red wine is the ideal compliment to Mediterranean food! If you drink in moderation with family and friends ... then life is good!!

 Marbleous School Memories   Original artwork and nostalgic poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, remembering school mornings before the bell rang   Who remembers playing with 'goti' with glass marbles of different hues? ‘Circle goli’ when opponents marbles were knocked out or else you'd lose In goli-gitte one had to sink the banta (or striker) into a hole first Then it got powers to capture the opponent's marbles in a burst There were always a few boys who had mastered the art of winning a lot.  They'd come early to school and fill their pockets with loot until caught 'Twas hard not to strut about with pockets full of marbles jingling aloud An' watch them getting confiscated; to win them back again made them proud

 Light and Shadow   Original artwork and musings by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as I continue studying the illusive and difficult art of painting light and shadow - it's a fun exercise Glass always presents an interesting study in depicting light. I find one needs a feathery touch if one is to get it just right! Today's subject is the familiar setting of four eggs, all freshly laid. Gently reflecting light at the top contrasted below with a darker shade. The salt and pepper shaker have metal caps that reflect a bit differently, The shadow of pepper is opaque but that of glass must be handled gently! There's so much scope for improvement but it all starts with awareness. Practice, practice, practice ... that's what it takes to get the finesse!

 Lady On The Bluff   Original artwork and whimsical poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026   There she is again, from whence she came, nobody knows. None dare ask her. Impeccably dressed in white silk, she lovingly scans the seas for her monsieur! They say he left her stranded at the altar, left to answer a distress call. "Duty calls", he whispered softly, picked his gear, headed into the squall! That was two moons ago, the villagers moved on with their lives, but not she! Like someone pressed 'pause' and she is waiting to press 'play' on the scree She swears she can hear his voice call her on the wind, saying he'll be home! She knows he's trying to reach her and looks for hidden messages in the foam…

 Safe harbor   Original watercolor and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, following a rather difficult conversation I had today with a friend who seems rather burdened and tired. So tell me my dear friend, when will you pull into safe harbor? Are you too busy spinning the helm-wheel full of zeal and ardor? Have you even stopped to even think about whence are you busy going? What elusive goal are you pursuing? The truth lies in the knowing! You have two lives; the second starts when you realise you have one. You might have all you ever really need, so you're as good as done! There's no magic formula, no one size fits all but we do make choices. Stop listening to voices that push you endlessly, they're but noises!

  Wildflowers   Original watercolor and ode by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026,  in recognition of invaluable Wildflowers Native wildflowers are ecology’s crucial link, the intangible.   Just because they are familiar doesn’t mean they ain’t invaluable! Having co-evolved with pollinators and insects they complete the cycle of life. On some, insects lay their eggs, on others, bees and butterflies thrive. They prevent soil erosion and rejuvenate the soil ever so effectively.  Giving each location a unique character,  individually and collectively!  So next time you come across a splash of color amidst a craggy rock. Stop to soak in nature’s delightful treat, take a selfie or simply gawk.

 Lessons Of Sakura Coming Early   Artwork and original pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, highlighting the unmistakable effects of global warming on nature disrupting cycles that have lasted hundreds of years One of the most colorful explosions of color in nature are cherry blossoms. You just gotta experience Sakura strolling through Tokyo's Ueno Park commons! The double petaled pink clusters of Kwanzan cherry blossoms are exhilarating! A veritable Garden of Eden, you might spot Oriental Greenfinches migrating. They’re traditional harbingers of spring but sadly there's something nefarious amiss 😢 Kyoto has 1500 years of records dating the phenological blooms that's hard to miss   Global warming due to human activities has advanced the blooms by two weeks 😳 Nature knows no guile, mankind would do well to act with urgency when nature speaks!!

 Florida's Red Shrimp and Crabs   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as an ode to one of my favorite seafoods It should come as no surprise that coming from the Konkan coast. For me seafood always wins; to today's artwork let's raise a toast! The cold deep Florida waters make for sweet Key West red shrimp. To die for only if on cilantro, lime and chilies you don't skimp! Highly prized for it's high fat and umami content, it costs a bomb. Fishermen flash freeze the catch so you can enjoy it with tres aplomb! Not to be outdone Florida's Royal Red crabs for their taste are prized. So rich and buttery, go easy on the seasoning and you'll be surprised!

 Unstoppable force meets unmovable object Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, tossing around the classical paradox inspired by my artwork What happens if an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object? Philosophers have long pontificated on this paradoxical subject. The relentless crashing of waves on the rocky outcrops of seashores, Neither giving in ... hmmm yet consider the glorious age of dinosaurs! For 180 millions they were the apex life form, an unstoppable force. That changed in an instance, pffft, a rogue meteor on a collision course I'm wont to go with the flow, rather than recklessly swim against the tide. What I hold to be true, may change tomorrow; so better take it in stride.

 Banff in Spring   Original watercolor painting and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, reminiscent of how we longed for the snow to thaw to rediscover the magical trails of Banff National Park outside Calgary, Canada Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada is truly magical during the spring snow-melt. Ice-cold streams awash with deep turquoise glacial silt that looks oh so very svelte! Right on cue brilliant wildflowers drape the steep banks of the swift flowing streams. The soft sweet aroma of pine trees with its first-fruit sprigs, is the stuff of dreams! You stop to close your eyes and take a deep breath, and soon the water rapids seduce you. The gentle fragrance of wildflowers mingle with resinous pines to wash away all your blues! Bow Falls trails in Banff, were always a welcome respite from the icy grip of winter for us. There was no better way to enjoy God's wondrous creation, everything else seems superfluous.

 Homestead breakfast   Watercolor painting and original painting by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by thehearty breakfasts o be had on Canadian homesteads There's an ineffable honesty in having a breakfast from farm-to-table An honest-to-goodness hearty and wholesome feast sans any weird label. A co-worker would take his annual vacation to work on the family homestead Far from bits and bytes, his day started before daybreak in the cowshed. The cows had to be milked every single morning, no matter rain or shine Then on to cleaning the barn, and refilling the feeding trough of the bovine. Then can one sit down for a good ole homestead.breakfast with the others Rustic bread, fresh milk and farm fruits … mmm - yes, sir, given my druthers!

 Sparkling brook   Watercolor painting and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, recalling the heavenly experience when we stumbled upon a sparkling brook on the Camino Santiago One of the unsung pleasures of trekking are fresh water streams. A hidden oasis to refresh oneself, just the stuff you see in your dreams! Flowing waters that gurgle seductively as you cool off from the heat. It washes away your tiredness, also the dust off your aching feet! I recall chancing upon just such a sparkling stream on the Green route. On the 125 km trail of the Camino Santiago - ‘twas such a hoot! Nature’s open air spa under the dappled shade of grape vineyards. Delicious fresh refreshments to refuel us for our journey onwards.

 Strawberries Original watercolor and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, intrigued by the marketing frenzy at Wimbledon around fresh strawberries and cream that has become a star in its own right.   It's traditional on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon grass, A bowl of fresh strawberries and cream - it's a touch of class! You pay an arm and leg for a marketing gimmick it would seem. 150,000 servings of berries with 10,000 litres of double cream! Strawberries are suppossedly picked from fields around fields of Kent. Only Elsanta variety are chosen for its sweetness, deep color and scent. Alas, I'm a simple man who loves tennis without this fanciful tradition I'm down for a bowl of garden fresh berries, watching it on television

 Eggs for breakfast   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by fireside chats with schoolmates at our Golden Jubilee when a doctor was waxing about the health benefits of eggs Eggs are a staple for breakfast as one of the most nutrient dense foods. And there are truly myriad ways to prepare them to suit any of your moods. The yolks are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats. And vitamins A, D, E, and B12, also iron and zinc to live like aristocrats. The white albumen has proteins with essential amino acids for healthy living. It is very low in carbohydrates and calories so eggs can be quite forgiving! There is no wrong way to have one, boiled or sunny-side up or even easy over. Oh the many delicious of ways to scramble it with a chives 'n cheese makeover.

 Cutie Mandarins - a Modern Marvel of Marketing Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the success story of Cutie mandarins Sweet mandarin oranges were imported into the US, but only became cool. When Sun Pacific started targeting the product for kids in the school! They sold it as a hygienic, easy to peel and sweet ready-to-eat snack. Once busy Mums bought into it, there was absolutely no looking back... 45,000 acres in California's San Joaquin valley were cultivated soon. 75 million boxes shipped with the name 'Cutie', 'twas a marketing boon! The trick was monoculture on a large scale without cross pollination, Keeping bees away from the orchard at least for the flowering duration.

 Time and Tide wait for no Man   Original loose watercolor and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, setting right a common misunderstanding that the 11th century King Canute was arrogant enough to stop the tide, while all along he was humble enough to realize his limitations In an era of vainglorious leaders, one would do well to recall, The wise King Canute of England, Denmark, Norway and all. Sycophantic followers fawned over his brilliant leadership, But wise King Canute knew that God was behind his stewardship! His groveling lackeys said even the sea would obey his word. King Canute was humble enough to know that it was absurd. He sat on the shore commanding the tide to cease! To the court’s dismay, it kept coming, but Canute it did please.  

 Joseph's Coat Rose   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by my favorite rose plant that produces delicate multi-hued blooms providing a splash of colour for nine months of the year There's one rose plant that grabs your attention with a dazzling display. Brilliant yellows, rose pinks, sunset oranges and flaming red in one spray! The *Joseph's Coat Rose* is a gem of hybrid ‘tween a floribunda and a climber rose. Its dramatic multicolored blooms evocative of the Joseph's multicolored clothes. In Genesis, Jacob's son Joseph was the apple of his eye and he bestowed on him A multicolored coat that was the pride and joy of Joseph - becoming an eponym! Alas, that drew the envy of his other brothers who conspired to sell him a slave. This rose bush however is a cynosure of any garden like a tantalizing aftershave!

 Brrrapsody in Blue Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, recalling the bleak winters in Canada before we moved to sunny California Winter has covered the terra firma with a snowy blanket. The wise stay indoors with heaters … and love to crank it. Even the birds and animals hibernate for safety’s sake. Come spring and from their slumber they’ll awake. Winter blues are a real thing but one learns to adapt. Put on multiple layers and go out beats being trapped . This too shall pass, for every rhyme there’s a reason. Nature rests awhile, for after winter comes spring season.

 Coffee with Eleanor Original artwork inspired by a Facebook post by Cool Stories concerning a friendship over books and coffee with senior citizen Eleanor sparked by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I'm a romantic at heart so it was easy to imagine the setting for their coffee chats I quote from Cool Stories : I volunteer at the library. I was sorting returns when a small envelope fell out of a copy of Pride and Prejudice. It wasn't a bookmark. It was sealed. On the front, in shaky handwriting: To the next person who reads this. I opened it. Inside was a $20 bill and a note: Today is my 80th birthday. I spent it alone. I love this book. It has been my friend when I didn't have any. Buy yourself a coffee and a pastry. Read somewhere beautiful. You are loved. - Eleanor. I didn't keep the money. I bought a coffee and a pastry, and I found Eleanor in our system. I delivered them to her house. She opened the door, confused. "I read your note," I said. "...

The Symmetrical Pineapple   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, remembering my trip a few years ago to the remote hills of Manipur, when I bought discarded fronds of pineapples from a roadside vendor for a pittance and planted them in Goa, where it bore sweet fruit. The geometric patterns of the fruit and the plant inspired me to paint a spiral for the sky Botanically, the pineapple is many berries fused around a central core. Each hexagonal eye a mature flower with antioxidants and vitamins galore! In colonial times, these were ostentatious symbols of prestige and wealth. Adorning banquet tables and imperial crests. Now a symbol of good health! Arranged spirally in a natural Fibonacci pattern, efficient and elegant! Optimal spacing for sunlight and continuous development that's renascent. It bears only one fruit every 18 months, a symbol of patience and perfection. A new plant grows from the frond of leaves on top, for easy self-propagation.

 Lessons of Paint Chasing Water   Original artwork and pensive poem when trying loose watercolor painting without any grand plan Letting water dictate the flow of color seems counter intuitive to me. As a type A person, it feels weird to watch the paint flow so randomly. But with time I've learned to trust the process and just go with the flow. Today I painted a spray of wildflowers in full bloom and watched it glow! The bees seem to love it too, which tells me that nature takes its course. When one lets go, the canvas fills itself organically, no need to use force. A good metaphor for us to step out of our comfort zone and live in the moment. You might discover a new truth; change is your friend not opponent.

  Brandt's Cormorant Nesting Rock   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the birds roosting on the rocky  outcrop along the scenic 17-mile drive off Monterey Bay, California Let me introduce you to the remarkable Brandt's Cormorant of the West Coast. Powerful deep sea swimmers that dive down 100 feet, or that's their boast! Considered a prime indicator species of a healthy coastal marine ecosystem. Look closely for their vivid cobalt-blue throat patch else you'll miss 'em! Unlike other cormorants they are almost never found inland; always out at sea. And they love to build nests along isolated rocks far far away from you and me. You'll see them congregate in 'gulps' airing out their feathers to air dry. They are quite clumsy on land, not so when in the water or when they fly.

 Lake Tahoe   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, recalling Lake Tahoe to drive away winter blues Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest lakes with visibility down to 70 feet Nestled in the snow capped Sierra Nevada it is the quintessential treat The playground of the rich with world class winter skiing and snowboarding A few days of respite away from the madding crowd can be very rewarding Rest of time there are a zillion hiking trails with breathtaking waterfalls Golden Aspen in a bed of wildflowers ... it's hard to resist nature’s calls. The well-heeled love sailing and kayaking in the clear cobalt blue waters 'Keep Tahoe Blue' a noteworthy cause if only for our sons and our daughters

 Year of the Horse   Original artwork and whimsical New Year's greeting by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, that's a horse of a different color Happy New Year straight from the horse's mouth to you You're a true thoroughbred friend through and through Thanks for the all memories we made just horsing around 'Tis said wild horses couldn't ever keep either of us down When it comes to being with the best - it's a one horse race On the cusp of 2026, let's not hold our horses giving chase Checking off our bucket list without changing horses midstream Don't look at this gift horse in the mouth, else I'll scream ... Happy New Year 2026!!