"Peacock Dancer" (2022)

Created with ink, draft (scroll down) created with pencil. This illustration depeicts the Hindu god Sri Rama as the center of the universe, providing balance between opposing sides. He carries an arrow (with a crescent-shaped head, similar to that of ancient Indian arrows, which had different shapes) and bow whose string curls around his arms. His crown, belt, and jewelry indicate his status as a warrior king, and a sun-like halo surrounds his head. His forehead is covered in the symbol of the god Vishnu, whom he is the incarnation of. His pants are drawn stylistically to show draped silk. His feet have small sparks next to them. He is surrounded by a structure which contains suns and moons, planets and stars. Rama's name, in English, Telugu, and Hindi, is written amongst these parts of the universe. The structure symbolizes both the universe and an atom: to suggest that Rama is present in the largest scale and smallest scale. In this illustration, centering him within the smallest particle is a reference to Telugu poet Annamacharya's writing on the same subject. Finally, the sacred syllable "Om" outlines the structure. Note: This piece was intended to be the first in a series of illustrations for a devotional kirtan (song) about Rama, written by the late Dr. Advikolanu Muralidhar. So, this imagery reflects the lyrics. This style of art is inspired by the Vedic Art style, hence the curved body of the male figure, the oval-shaped face, and elaborate ornaments.

Drawn in ink. Commissioned for a couple's anniversary: the wife was named for Vidhya Devi or Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom (figure on the right); the husband was named for Kumara or Karthikeya, the Hindu god of war (figure on the left). Both Kumara and Vidhya have a peacock as their vehicle, so the peacock was used as a unifying symbol between the figures. Vidhya is shown with lotuses by her ears, carrying a veena, a stringed classical instrument, with a third eye on her forehead to mark her spiritual knowledge. Kumara carries a spear with his father's symbol on his forehead and on the spearhead. They lean towards each other, and the arc of their bodies and their instruments are meant to create a general sense of symmetry with the peacock feathers. They also have halos around their heads. Their limbs are drawn stylistically, in a cartoonish manner. Sharp angles and thick, flowing lines are featured in both their garments.

Illustrated with pencil for a Drawing class assignment, in which students were instructed to create a piece that incorporated a hand, an object, and glass. Thus, this illustration is of a small, isolated, angelic figure trapped in a globe. A raincloud in the globe showers onto them, and the feathery drops turn into wings. Hence, the title of the piece. Meanwhile, outsiders attempt to offer comfort, represented by a hand holding a cocktail umbrella up to the glass. However, their efforts are futile; the figure is beyond their reach, and it will take more than a frail umbrella to shatter the glass. The figure, drafted in the second image below (you'll see it when you scroll down), has wrapped their limbs into a near-fetal position. They peek out at the hand, at the comfort being offered, but do not engage with it. Note the use of shading in the glass and wooden base of the globe, the high contrast of the figure's outline, a spot of light upon the glass, and the mechanical drawing style of the hand which breaks it into its simplest forms.

Created using Adobe Illustrator as part of Visual Design & Digital Making Virtual Summer Intensive, co-sponsored with LITS at Bryn Mawr College. This is from a course exercise on symmetry and patterns. Shapes are nestled within one another, and the body of the butterfly contains a floral burst.

Freehand ink sketch of a South Indian Tamilian grandmother with two nose stud piercings. The style of her bottu/bindi is also associated with Tamil culture. For the sake of the sketch and in a break from the typical bottu/bindi, this design is repeated along the bridge of the nose. The eyes are slender and wing-shaped; the tinge of blue in them represents the onset of old age in a dark eyes. The hair is shown to be white and black, and bursting flowers are tucked behind both of the grandmother's ears. Her necklace is shown in the upper-right of the sketch. A hint of colored pencil was used to color the blue-green in her eyes and in her face. The lips are curved to indicate a hidden smile. This style is influenced by Bapu, a South Indian Telugu artist.

Page 2 of Executive Summary targeted towards potential investors for Bloqcube Inc, a pharma-tech start-up. Designed using Adobe Illustrator. Highlighted company milestones, contrasted testimonials, and drew attention to competitive advantage graphic.

Pencil drawing created for Drawing course. Displayed at Anglo-American School of Moscow. Realistic sliver of a face shows a tortured inner self, fighting for control inside the mind of a monstrous external self, shown with the cartoonish outer eye and stitched smile. A bindi/bottu holds both the external and internal self together, at the seams. The hair is drawn stylistically, with fluid shapes and slight curves fitted next to triangles.

Freehand pencil sketch using 4B and HB pencils. Drawn on a train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, with focus on blocks of unblended shadows and looser, flowing shapes. The goal was to blend realistic and surrealistic styles between face and hair. The linework outlining the profile purposefully thins and thickens to create delicacy.

Drawn with ink. Figure on the left is a Hindu goddess, Sita Devi, daughter of the earth. Figure on the right is Sri Rama, the Hindu god of the epic "Ramayana." Here, in the Chitrakootha forest, we see Sita playfully stealing Rama's quiver of arrows and twirling one arrow out of Rama's grasp. Rama holds Sita's waist and shoulders his bow. Intricate linework shows the movement of the arrow, leaves and flowers stitched into Sita's skirt, jewelry, and crown, and lotus flowers in Rama's pants. He wears a thread and prayer beads around his body, and the fabric tied around his waist shows his sweeping movement towards Sita. The marks of divinity are on Sita and Rama's foreheads; they are surrounded with halos and hearts. Thicker lines outline key features of their bodies, and their hair is elaborately styled. The thin, simple bowstring is meant to contrast with the details of their garments. Their feet and faces are drawn stylistically, to show loving gazes and surreal beauty.

Drawn with pencil. The focus of this piece was to draw human eyes, brows, and a nose in accordance to correct proportions and realism. Note the shading, detail in the pupils, and how color is shown despite its absence.