Kieran's Art

 It's a Cat Thing   Original painting and whimsical poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, anyone who has kept a cat will understand Don't ever forget I own you, you don't own me; See that was quite easy You heard it here, my fave treat is freeze dried salmon, give it to me No, I didn't miss you when you were gone, why would I? I was well fed Don't expect me to wag my tail when I see you. Nah! I'm a thoroughbred By the way, what's with the flowers when it's catnip that I care for? Tell that pesky Mrs WhatsHerName that I purr, I certainly don't snore If you see me curled up nice and snug with a smile, I'm having a dream In which I'm smacking my lips after lapping a big saucer of warm cream

 Memoir of the Front Door   Artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, thinking about innumerable friends who left home and family to find their place in the sun - at a hidden cost, no doubt How little remains of the feverish activities and hustle bustle  The metamorphosis of children growing up in wisdom and muscle All their lives the parents worked selflessly giving the best to their kids. Private school, music, art and dance classes, never counting the quids. Table conversations sparkling with animated enlightened discussions Young minds embracing bold ideas 'n risk taking, despite repercussions High achievers unafraid to challenge the status quo, soon came of age. Knocking on archiac institutions far too rigid to be able to engage! They left for greener pastures, putting down roots where they flourished! Meanwhile aging parents back home pine for those they so lovingly nourished

 Explosion of flavor   Original artwork and ode to Cherry Tomatoes by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, celebrating one of the perennial treasures of summer gardening Toss a garden fresh Cherry Tomato into your mouth and you're in for a treat! Get ready for an exuberant explosion of flavors refreshing tangy and sweet. Bite sized snacks that pack a big punch of a powerful antioxidant lycopene. That special enzyme in tomatoes that keeps the heart ticking lean ‘n clean The intense flavor comes from a high sugar-to-acid and skin-to-flesh ratios. You can eat it raw, tossed in salads or a pasta or just as your fancy goes! Cherry tomato plants are prolific producers, throughout the growing season Sun Gold, Black Cherry, Fox Cherry, Yellow Pear, Isis Candy, 'nuff reason

 Quiet flows the river   Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the many refreshing mountain streams one comes across when hiking the mountains When I see a quiet flowing river, I let the tranquility soak into my bones. The water acts like a patient sculptor smoothing the rough edges of stones. Breathing life, allowing green moss to flourish along the sun-soaked edges Tiny fish feast on algae and weed, making a food chain in the murky dredges Soon snails, dragonflies and tadpoles appear to complete the ecosystem. Be still and look carefully did you spot the warbler dive or did you miss him? Shallow river pools are nature's veritable hot spots teeming with activity! Small pleasures that one gets to enjoy gratis when hiking with perceptivity

 Figure skating   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, a distant relative 4-time Canadian national champion Madeline Schizas was representing Canada at these games. Way to go Maddie!! Every Winter Olympics figure skaters set the ice ablaze with finesse Gliding, pivoting, spinning with the grace of a ballerina no less For a precious few moments all their life's training comes center stage Pushing each other, stretching the limits to make it to the front page Triple Lutz means you take off from back outside edge with a toe pick A triple Sal-chow from a inside edge without a toe pick, if it can stick In a quad jump they spin 1440 degrees in the air, imagine the athleticism!!  Surya Bonaly landed the only backflip, now banned as dangerous extremism

 Phoenix of the disastrous Irish Potato Famine   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by today's potato harvest and the legacy of Luther Burbank, a truly remarkable pioneer of selective crossbreeding that started as the proverbial phoenix that rose from the ashes of the Irish Potato Famine and quickly progressed to produce delicious flowers, fruits and vegetables we all take for granted Luther Burbank was an incorrigible botanist who was determined to change forever The way food crops were grown - using selective crossbreeding, which was clever! Having seen how potato blight devastate Ireland ‘n trigger the great Irish famine He intuitively knew that biodiversity was the key something worth a close examine Seeing some potato developing flowers and seed balls, he was able to crossbreed Before long he developed the Burbank potato'twas  large, long and vigorous indeed In 1874, he sold the rights for just $150, enough to fund his move out west...

 Magical Crystal Glassware   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by a Waterford Crystal Bowl acquired in Cork, Ireland several years ago that still has a gorgeous luster Glass is molten sand without any specific structure, just an amorphous mass Adding metal oxide crystals magically transforms it into fine crystal glass When cut Crystal glassware causes sparkling rainbow-like dispersion of light Giving a touch of class that suggests sophistication that seems just right  A bowl of fruit suddenly becomes the pièce de résistance that all notice The light and shadow seductively tango together like a shimmering lotus Baccarat, Waterford and Swarovski are expensive brands that people desire Each captures the soul of the craftsman as a fine work of art shaped by fire

 Ash Wednesday reflections   Original artwork and reflection by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, on Ash Wednesday “ Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return .” Lord Jesus, thank you for placing on our foreheads the sign of our mortality. By the blood of the cross you conquered death and redeemed us. One day all our lives on earth will end, though we know not the day or hour. Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee, Our Lord and Saviour. Let this holy season of Lent be a time of grace for all this troubled world, to turn away from the empty sinful promises of the Devil, and turn to you.  Give us the grace to spend more time in contemplative prayer when you open your heart to us, whether it is reading Holy Scripture, adoring of the Holy Eucharist or the Stations of the Cross. Let us willingly give up worldly comforts by fasting and abstaining so that we may journey with you in austerity as you walk the way of the cross. Let it not be a frivolous ritual but a st...

Sweeter than Honey 🍯    Artwork and original poem of thanksgiving by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026,  inspired by the February 16th first thanksgiving mass of newly ordained Fr Andrew Barth IVE, a very dear family friend. This artwork is dedicated to the ordination of Fr Andrew Barth Celebrated his first mass, a young promising lad who’s down-to-earth. I had the privilege to see him blossom from a sporty lad to an artist sublime Now he’s a man of cloth, a good shepherd, answering the call of the divine. I don’t know too many millennials who have chosen a life of austerity In a consumer society obsessed with materialism and unbridled prosperity. That’s why to me, this seminal event is sweeter than honey God knows we need good shepherds who relate to the Gen-Z      Footnote : Here is a photo of Rev Fr Andrew Clement Barth IVE, best friend of our son Alexander, blessing the faithful after his inaugural mass on 16/Feb/2026 at Our Lady of Peace, Santa Clara, CA. ...

 Ode to the Rainbow Trout   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, reacting to reports that coastal rainbow trout have reappeared in the local Stevens Creek watershed The San Francisco Bay Area is home to the remarkable Rainbow Trout These hardy fish are a bellwether that we should all be worried about Historically they swarmed up all the major waterways each and every year Some still do despite the urban sprawl that cause wetlands to disappear Recent conservation attempts have allowed trouts to make a comeback Fish ladders and restored waterways create an effective water track All it takes is a few days of sustained rainfall each year, not much Steelheads return to the same place after 6 years to lay a new clutch

 Lunch at St Jeannete Original artwork and nostalgic poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, recalling my experience of intense software development in the medieval village of St Jeanette nestled along the Route des Villages Perches below the immense limestone cliff called Baou de Saint-Jeannete St Jeanette is a picturesque hillside village near Nice, South France Home to 30 code monkeys in 1992 including yours truly, quite perchance.  Unbeknownst to us ‘twas the dawn of startups before IPO became a buzzword  All we had was a customer spec and 45 days to beta … quitting wasn't heard It was go-go-go six days a week from eight am till six pm with a twist A luxurious two-hour white-table cloth three course lunch... get the gist? Starting with a aioli vegetable soup and rustic Pain aux Céréales bread And Salade Niçoise of tuna, olives and garden-fresh veggies, what a spread My favourite entree, Daube provençale, beef slow cooked in herbs and wine With the house wine flowing, every...

 Bedouin Hospitality   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, recalling the ancient Bedouin practice that gave shelter to strangers, fed them choice dates with 'qahwa' or coffee, and housed them for 3 days in the ' majlis ' section of the tent In the extreme conditions of the vast Sahara deserts blooms empathy Even strangers given respite and treated with kindness and sympathy Three days and nights before you even ask them their names or business To do anything less is unthinkable - a heinous crime beyond forgiveness The guests are offered coffee, dates and treated with dignity and respect These are unwritten ancestral practices meant to shelter and to protect Somewhere in our rush to embrace modernity we lost our basic humanity We treat our fellow human beings as trash; What inanity! O the insanity!

 Goli Soda   Original artwork and nostalgic poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by childhood memories of hearing the soda bottles with marble seals being opened to make fresh lime soda There was one distinctive sound that told us we had entered Goa by road It was the marble in the fizzy soda bottle pop with no easy way to reload When full, the pressurized aerated payload held the marble seal secure The marble seal was tamper proof keeping the contents pristine and pure There was no need for a bottle opener, one just pressed down on the marble It popped and out came the soda that was still fizzy, quite simply remarkable The marble made a distinctive 'plink' as it dropped in the chamber of glass This ingenious invention called a Codd-neck soda bottle was truly world-class

 How about a cuppa?   Artwork and original poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, as an ode to the cup of golden brew It's a wet rainy day, today February 8th 2040, as I put away my paints. My study is warm and cozy, my life blessed. Ain't got no complaints! There's a gentle familiar tap on the door, it's my next door neighbor. I glance at the clock. Oh my, it's 5 pm - time for a familiar flavor! "Wretched weather" he says, as he hangs up his hat, to no one in particular. "Nothing that a good cuppa can't put right, nothing fancy. Just the regular" The tea is just the excuse. He cracks a smile, no words need to be spoken. We've known each other donkeys years, now that she gone he's heartbroken. "How's the painting?", he asks politely, but his eyes tell of a different pain. We talk of the good old times; he lights up reliving our youthful days again. "Another cup?, I ask, knowing we had just gotten started. "You make...

 Ode to Lychee   Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026. This was a study in painting textures. Just when I thought I’d seen it all, along came the lychee Slightly larger than a grape with flesh that is crunchy ‘n juicy Wrapped in a rough reddish skin, it is native to South Asia. Take just one bite to experience a floral citrusy fantasia! For millennia it was the fruit of choice of the Chinese Emperor. A trip to your grocery store is all you now need, dear adventurer  It makes a cool refreshing drink to beat the summer heat I prefer to scarf down a handful fresh ones. Oh, what a treat!!

 Beauty that isn't evident at first Original artwork and pensive poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026, inspired by the children's tale of the ugly duckling. Oh how I cringe each time I hear it being callously being said Someone has a face that only a mother can love. All I see is red Just because someone is different doesn't mean they are inferior Remember the beauty we first see is only skin deep, the exterior! And that kind of beauty doesn't translate to being a good person The kind who sees from the heart to be with you when things worsen You feel the presence of that true friend across time and space. If you find such a person then you've found a true font of grace!

  Fluidity Original artwork and whimsical poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2026 on fluidity For today’s artwork I chose to study fluidity in life. Letting the water tell a story starting with the knife! One can literally taste the watermelon, fresh and juicy. Ah, first let’s wet the whistle with something boozy The clock has witnessed it all but holds its peace. Happy to stay in its lane, to serve just as a timepiece Time to go to the cellar for a new bottle of single malt! While I let the artwork speak to you on its gestalt

 Surfer dude Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c), 2026, inspired by an enlightened conversation I had this morning at the De Anza Flea Market. I learned that "hang ten" is the quintessential surfing maneuver where the surfer rides on nose of the board with all ten toes hanging over the edge. It is considered the epitome of surfing requiring precise balance, speed, and positioning within the pocket of a wave. The game of life throws it’s fair share of curve balls  Where some see excitement, others see only brick-walls Take barreling through Mavericks on just a tiny surf board Pros make it look easy, drop into the flow, reap the reward For me, the inexorable specter of the inevitable wipeout  Keeps me grounded. Terra firma , is all I can think about  So I ended taking a photo to capture the thrill of the ride And used my paintbrush to portray the magic of the seaside

 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