For The Love Of Poppies

USHA SHUKLA

For The Love Of Poppies, 2024
Oil on Wood Panel
20 x 16 x 1.5 in

ABOUT THE WORK

"“For the Love of Poppies”, an abstract colorful painting, captures the golden heart of San Francisco's vibrant community. Twenty-five years ago, I found my artistic home here, a place where diversity and individuality thrive. I feel grounded and have a sense of belonging to this place that I call my second home. I portray this feeling using Poppies for their embodiment of resilience and joy. The color palette for this painting is inspired by the fiery oranges and reds that I see with the sunrise and the cool violets and yellows that end my day each evening. I would love for my painting to be uplifting and restorative, and to inspire optimism."—Usha Shukla

This work is included in the "Urban Tides: A San Francisco Story" group exhibition at Voss Gallery (July 13 - August 17, 2024).

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Usha Shukla was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. From early childhood, she was fascinated by the outdoors. The vibrant colors of the Indian countryside left a strong impression on her. After a graduate degree in English Literature, she went on to get a diploma in Fashion Design. In 1996 when she moved to San Francisco, California, with her family, she found everything different except her interaction with nature. In 2005, after a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris, she realized her true passion for art. Later, she completed a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, focusing on painting.

Combining her love of nature and passion for art, she paints large abstract paintings in vibrant colors. She has a unique process of mark-making. Instead of conventional tools like brushes and palette knives, she moves the paint on wood panels using an air blower.

Her work is owned by several local and international art collectors. She has participated in juried group and solo exhibitions around the world and has won awards. She has public art installations including in Livermore, CA,Court house at Dublin, CA, Sutter Hospital in San Francisco, Boston Children's Hospital In Boston, MA and Winship Emory Hospital In Atlanta, GA. She received the 2020 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award and now serves as an Art Commissioner on the Alameda County Arts Commission.

HANGING & CARE

Artwork is ready to hang on the wall; hanging wire is secured on the back (nail and hook needed). Dust raw canvas with a clean, soft brush and HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean. Using a new, clean brush prevents transfer of grime from previous dustings.

PURCHASE INFO

Gallery pick up, local delivery & international shipping available! Questions? Contact us