Four Precious Things Painting

This work is the first in a series called Pink = Joy. The title of the work is Four Precious Things - aspects of our existence that are beyond precious to me. The four precious things depicted are the animal world, represented by the small bird; the land, represented by the cluster of three small islands; love, the maharajah is offering a token to his beloved; and creativity, represented by his elaborate jewelry and clothing. I am also a fine jewelry designer, and as an intriguing gesture, I have incorporated some of my own jewelry designs in the painting: the Sun Ray medallion at the top of the orange circle, and the Palm Tree emblem worn as a clasp on the maharajah's pearls. I manufacture my jewelry in India and the concept of making contemporary Indian miniature paintings, in a pop art style, with bold colors, came about through my love of all aspects of life on the sub-continent. I seek to pay homage to the creative expertise, the glorious colour, the landscape and the artistic traditions of India.