This painting won the President's Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils and 2nd place in the Best of America 2021 with National Oil and Acrylics Society. “Worship of Mother Ganga”. 36x24 inches. First piece of 2021 is finally done. I wanted to start the year off with a subject that I most enjoy painting. The man seen here was worshiping the river Ganges during the Kumbh Mela festival of 2019. My friend and I went out on a boat to join in on the ritual dipping in the river. This man stood out among the rest. Although he was surrounded by millions of fellow pilgrims, he was by far the most centered and deepest in his worship. I decided to transport him from the busy festival to a more peaceful area; at the shores of Varanasi, where I imagine he was in his mind.
This painting won the President's Award of Excellence at the Oil Painters of America 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils and 2nd place in the Best of America 2021 with National Oil and Acrylics Society. “Worship of Mother Ganga”. 36x24 inches. First piece of 2021 is finally done. I wanted to start the year off with a subject that I most enjoy painting. The man seen here was worshiping the river Ganges during the Kumbh Mela festival of 2019. My friend and I went out on a boat to join in on the ritual dipping in the river. This man stood out among the rest. Although he was surrounded by millions of fellow pilgrims, he was by far the most centered and deepest in his worship. I decided to transport him from the busy festival to a more peaceful area; at the shores of Varanasi, where I imagine he was in his mind.