Picture perfect

She opens her bag of artistic goodies, very much like a magician! Mrunal Yelwande, a student of the SNDT College of Fine Arts, has the en...

She opens her bag of artistic goodies, very much like a magician! Mrunal Yelwande, a student of the SNDT College of Fine Arts, has the enthusiasm to try her hand at an amazing number of things making decorative packaging, water colours, flower arrangements, fashion jewellery, collages, ceramics and rangolis and even fashion garments. And what8217;s more, she has won prizes for her work. Yelwande was adjudged the winner of the All-Rounder Trophy in Fine Arts at this year8217;s Yuva Mahotsav at the SNDT University, has won the first prize in five drawing competitions held by the college and has participated in many group shows. In December she plans her first solo exhibition at the Sanskriti Art Gallery in Aundh.

Yelwande picks up a small, attractively painted gift package and explains how she made it, 8220;I use glossy or mirror-impressioned paper and try to give the package unusual shapes and then add embellishments like ribbons or threads.8221;

Yelwande8217;s traditional paintings of spiritual icons are extremely elegant. She uses hand-made paper and makes a drawing sketch, giving it a single primary coat of paint in water colour. Thereafter, the surface, when dried, is rubbed with a glass plate, which gives the drawing a shining, glazed look. The second coat is given for tones, and shade and light. Once again, the painting is treated with glass and finally the borders and details are filled in. One of her favourite artistic pursuits lies in ceramic pottery. She creates different items with mirror-work and cones. Then again, she8217;s interested in designing cards and letter-pads. Says Yelwande, 8220;My ambition is to start a boutique of my own, which will give me a way to comfort people with the help of my art. Where I can display all the items I can create.8221; She also plans to learn jewellery design and interior designing. The 20-year-old has a long way to go, but seems to possess all the credentials.

Cause noble
And now, here8217;s a painting exhibition for a noble cause. The Samvedana Manch and the Dnyanada Gurukul have come together to hold an exhibition of ceramic pots, landscapes, Ikebana at Janardhan, Plot 22 and 24, Krishna Colony, Kothrud for three days from October 31. Says Kamilini Phadke, managing trustee of Samvedana, 8220;Narayan Godbole managing trustee of the Gurukul and I decided to hold this exhibition and the proceeds will go to the 31 orphans of the school. In fact, the orphans are also going to exhibit their collage-size greeting cards.8221; An added attraction are the paintings by Subhash Rothe, an adivasi artist, who brings his excellent warli paintings and murals. The ceramics are provided by artist Sunita Kelkar.