Introducing Maloos Crafts

Nothing brings me more joy than featuring artists on My Dream Canvas. It is amazing how much creativity and talent is out there waiting to be discovered. Today I am featuring the work of Maloos Khonsarian of Maloos Crafts on Etsy.

In her own words " I am a mother, a photographer, and a creator! Patterns are my passion and I feel inspired every time I come across a distinctive design. If it’s on a dress, I will try it on! If it’s on a vase, I will find a home for it on a shelf. If it’s on the wall of a beautiful monument, I will incorporate it in my photographs, paintings, prints, collages, and jewelry designs and I will apply it onto everything around me from trays and cheeseboards to vintage furniture.

Each item has a unique design and is one of a kind, just like you"

Maloos uses Middle Eastern designs to create her pieces of art. Resin and wood are the two primary mediums she uses to create these lovely pieces. Each item in her store is unique and will be the only one in existence!

This delightful cheeseboard is my personal favorite :)

To view more of her exquisite designs visit her Etsy store and follow her on Facebook.

The intricate patterns and the details in her handcrafted pieces are amazing!!

Thank you Maloos for sharing your work with the readers of My Dream Canvas. 

Images: Maloos Crafts and subjevt to copyright.

Meena An Artist Extraordinaire

 My Dream Canvas gives me the opportunity to share the work of some of the most talented people from around the world. Meena Kumar and MDC have had a long association and its wonderful to feature her again today! Meena is a lady with immense talent and creativity.  A few years ago I featured Meena's mom beautiful home in Coorg, India which was a big hit. You can view the post here.

Meena's creativity described in her own words " l love to paint and dabble in photography. I have also progressed in hand lettering quotes over the last year, and enjoy creating digital art and portrait illustrations. If you are interested in getting a custom portrait illustration or a personal hand lettered art, feel free to start up a conversation with me via email and we can work on a custom piece for you. I am offering digital downloads only, no physical item will be shipped "

Meena is completely in love with her latest passion. Do follow her on Instagram to view her latest work and visit her blog Sivalaya to follow her journey. 

Meena recently created an illustration for me. It represents one of my favorite memories from my childhood. My Dad asking my Grandma ( Nani ) to make "chana ghugani" She would make this dish for him often and it was delicious. My mom and I can make it too. However, I do believe that there was nothing quite like my Nani's version :) It was a treat to see my Dad relish it.  She would love making it for him even when she got really old. I am so grateful to Meena for this delightful recipe illustration. I am waiting to hang it on my kitchen wall :)

Here it is .......

Some of her work that caught my eye is this portrait illustration of a teacher. What a lovely teacher's gift this would be :)

A personalized  milestone birthday gift :)

A delightful cheesecake recipe. Imagine the possibilities, you can create so many personalized recipes for yourself. Such a lovely way to preserve a family recipe.

You can contact Meena via Email to commission her to create your own personalized artwork.

Images : Copyright : Meena Kumar 

Hello and Introducing Wood Lucker

Hello there! Its been ages since I wrote a post! I have to sheepishly admit that this is my first for this year! I seem to be more active on Instagram lately and would love for you all to join me there as well. 

Sustaining a blog is hard and yet My Dream Canvas and your constant support gives me immense joy! My aim is to bring you inspiration, fresh ideas and new content. While I have neglected my writing, my love for photography keeps me going :) I post daily snippets from my life on Instagram along with pictures of the MDC Casa. The absolute best thing about belonging to a blogging fraternity is interacting and discovering immensely talented and creative people.

Ann Wood and Dean Lucker  are the dynamic crafting duo behind an amazing and imaginative Instagram account WoodLucker. Ann particularly is renowned for her paper botanical creations. She creates stunning paper flowers and paper food among other things that look astonishingly like the real thing!! Don't believe me....take a look at my favorites from her collection. Ann manipulates paper and wire, using drawing and cutting with sharp embroidery scissors. She then applies fine cuts to achieve realistic feathers, food and flowers. These sculpted creations are then hand-sewn on to wool and velvet backgrounds before being framed in vintage frame stock. The work is delicate and a nod to craftsmanship from decades ago. Ann hand paints all the paper creations in her collection.

Ann and Dean's collaborative work combines a love for illustrated paper art and forgotten histories into  objects that are filled with sentiment and longing.

I am equally charmed by their 1940's home in Minnesota. Here are a few images....

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a preview of Ann's work and home. Visit their website and follow them on Instagram to know more about this dynamic and creative duo. 

Thank you Ann!!

Images: WoodLucker and Subject to Copyright

Photographer Marcus Lawett

For those of you who read my blog regularly know that I have my camera attached to my hip wherever I go :) Photography for me has become an all consuming passion. I am still trying to figure all the techniques. There is so much to learn and I am enjoying the entire process!

There are so many brilliant photographers around, and it is always a pleasure to come across their work. I have admired the work of Marcus Lawett for some time now. He is based in Malmo and you can click here to view his portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images: via

The Artist Pepa Poch

 I am swooning over the painting of this oriental turquoise tea set. The artist is Pepa Poch A Catalan artist, creator and painter. Click here to view more images of her work and for a glimpse of her lovely home in Costa Brava in Spain.


Sigh!! If only I was an artist....... my home then would truly be my very own canvas :)

 

 

Image : via

The Color Caravan Online Sale

Hello my lovely readers. Today, I am here to share something that you simply cannot miss :) An online sale by The Color Caravan based in India.  This is a venture that links rural Indian artisans to the urban market. It presents traditional handicrafts in a contemporary style and markets them to urban buyers. Their aim is to create livelihood opportunities for artisans and in turn preserve traditional Indian crafts.
The founder of  The Color Caravan is the lovely Swati Seth. Her dedication and vision is what gives Color Caravan the edge in the market. I am personally a huge fan :)
Now for some exciting news. The online exhibition cum sale is now online on Color Caravan's Facebook page. The exhibition presents leather work from Kutch in Gujarat (India).

Here is some information about the people behind this collection.
"The Marwadi Meghwals, a community believed to have migrated to Kutch from the Marwar region of Rajasthan, are famous for their leather work and unusually bold patchwork. In Kutch they work both as leather workers and wool weavers, living and working closely with Maldhari cattle herders from whom they source hides of dead animals.The men make leather products while women embellish these objects with embroidery executed with multi-coloured threads."

Click here to visit the The Color Caravan and to browse the entire collection on sale starting today :) The buying instructions are mentioned in the album featured on their Facebook page. The Color Caravan will ship internationally as well :)

Thank you Swati :)


Images: via

Jim Nilsen Photography and an evening at home....

Rain, rain go away...............but alas that's not happening anytime soon. It also feels cold, and I am finding it hard to get up to do anything. On days like today, all I want is a big cup of tea and some time with my laptop :-)  I have been browsing through one of my favorite photographer's website. I love Jim Nilsen's work and his shots of India are stunning.  These images are taken around Jodhpur and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. I have spent many years in Rajasthan as a child, and these images make me feel very nostalgic.......

The first image is of my living room and the last three images are photographs by Jim Nilsen.

Image 1: My home, Images 2, 3 and 4 : Jim Nilsen Photography

An artist profile Anu Somanath

I am honored to call Anu a friend through the blogging circle. Not only does she share my name, but lives in one of my favorite cities, Atlanta. I moved to Seattle from Atlanta a few years ago and I miss it a lot. I was thrilled when Anu shared her work with me. Anu, calls herself an "IT Geek", as that is what pays the bills:-) However in her spare time, this very talented lady enjoys needlework, cooking, gardening and designing jewelery!

Anu's immense creativity comes alive as you look at these gorgeous cards. She hand painted these cards for her brother's housewarming party a few years ago. I am sure the guests were impressed when they received these gorgeous invitations. I for one am speechless, as these cards are simply exquisite!!!

Anu's creations are perfect to spread some weekend cheer. Hope you have an enjoyable weekend, and see you back here on Monday!

Thank you so much Anu for sharing your work on My Dream Canvas!

Images via: Annapurna Somanath