Mahdhav Sarna Art

Butterfly details for ‘Symbols of Beauty’
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Butterfly details for ‘Symbols of Beauty’
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Working on the next in the series which explores human culture and history alongside the natural world.
This piece as a reflection of beauty includes the Venus of Arles, a marble statue dated to the end of the 1st century BC which portrays Venus (Aphrodite as known by the Greeks), the goddess of love and beauty.
Painting the form and texture is something completely new and foreign to my art but the challenge is so much fun and I’m developing along the way. Also working so close on sculptures is giving me a true appreciation for the sheer skill and talent that was used to create the original masterpiece by François Girardon.

Two more details from the new piece
100cm x 150cm Oil on Canvas

Details of a new artwork in progress. This is the first in a new series which combines the natural world and human culture throughout our history.
The painting will combine elements of architecture and craftsmanship from Jaipur, traditional Indian Pahari paintings and bengal tigers.

New Year Studio Sale! To celebrate the start of another beautiful year I am offering our biggest sale so far, 25% off all original artwork in the studio.
Visit MSARNA.COM (link in bio) to view all available artworks including Oil, Gouache & Watercolour paintings and pencil drawings.
As an artist I am deeply inspired and captivated by our natural environments and wildlife.
It is this beauty and and my explorations of our wild planet that I would love to share with you!

It’s time for another edition of The Other Art Fair, Sydney, Barangaroo.
For Free Tickets use code ‘MSSYD22’

Tickets valid for:
Fri 22, Sat 23 & Sun 24 July.
(Ticket codes expire 17 July)

Book via:
theotherartfair.com > Sydney > tickets

Great Egret work in progress.
Oil in Paper 40cm x 29cm

Little Corella - Gouache Paint on Paper
Location: Australia

Wild Knight: Acrylic & Oil on Canvas
Wild Stallion
This piece piece was a step into a new direction of creativity from my usual style.
I wanted to keep the wildlife and detail element of my work but bring in something new, something different.
Using acrylics I experimented with techniques of flow/abstract contemporary art to add a new layer and depth of colour.
It’s a hybrid of styles and pretty happy with how it turned out. Always fun to try something new and aiming to include this technique in some more future works!
What do you think? :)

Love Birds - Galah Cockatoos
Gouache on paper
A tender gaze shared between a pair of galahs explores the relationships in nature that are similar to ours.
There’s so many similarities between people and wildlife and it’s moments like these that can help shift our perspective and show the connectedness that exists between all beings.

Did you know that the Galahs are a monogamous mating species which means the pair and mate for life.

(As always get in touch for availability)

Barking Owl - Oil on wood
Location: Australia

In The Silence Of The Self: Western Lowland Gorilla
This piece portrays a quiet moment of internal reflection, a surrender to the peace within.
Oil on Canvas
100cm x 150xm

gorilla

New art on the canvas. This is the first big piece of 2022 and I wanted it to represent a moment in meditation.
A quiet reflection towards the inner consciousness.
This work in progress is the only large scale piece I have created so far where the eyes are closed.
The eyes tend to be a focal point and add an emotional depth that I have found to bring the animal painted to life. They are the element that bridges the gap between the viewer and wildlife, the basis to a dialogue through which we can find relatability and familiarity with a wild being.
This piece is therefore taking me out of my comfort zone but I feel the power we can convey with a moment of serenity has the potential to be just as impactful.
Gorilla - 100cm x 150cm
Oil on canvas

VIBRANCY AND LIGHT, PERCHED FROM FLIGHT: Blue and Yellow Macaw.
Recognised for their vibrant plumage and characteristic patterns of colour that exude flare, energy and uplift all who encounter them, the Blue and Yellow Macaws are a symbol of the South American Wilds.
This piece was a joy to create and the energy it releases when experienced truly captures their spirit. So happy with the bold and energetic artwork it turned out to be.
Oil on Canvas - 150cm x 100cm
For sales/enquiries get in touch or visit msarna.com (link in bio)

 

New work in progress, The Macaw Pair. I wanted to create this piece to exuded brightness, life and energy. Initially planned as a loose contemporary piece it definitely didn't go to plan and ended up being a lot more of a fine-art piece, which seems to suit it so much more.
Still learning to surrender more to each piece and allow it to guide itself in the direction it wants to go.
Enjoy and as always please share any thoughts you have 🙂🐦
 

The Sunset Savannah Survey: life-size cheetahs
Oil on Canvas - 150cm x 100cm
Contact for details/enquiries

Work in progress shot of a new cheetah trio piece I'm working on. This one's been a bit of a challenge so far but it's coming together beautifully now.
It happens often enough where you learn something from a piece, where you need to let go in order to move forward.
I initially thought to create a more pastel palette for this piece but it demanded something bolder, brighter and more energetic. Looking forward to how it continues to unfold. I'll have more to share soon :)

Two zebras at early sunrise. This is a work in progress from a section of a new painting showing the build up of one of the zebras.
I'm using light in a new way for me in this piece, I wanted to capture that contrast between the cool tones in the shadows during the early morning and that warm glow where the sunlight bathes the animal as the sun rises over the horizon.
It's going to be a beautiful piece with a calm, warm energy, a dramatic African sunrise that leads vivid colours in a dance across the sky and a gentle relationship of affection between the two zebras.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Life-size zebras: oil on canvas 100cm x 150cm

CAPTIVATE - white tiger: oil on canvas 100cm x 150cm
I wanted to create a piece that drew closer in to the details and beauty of a wild animal, creating this piece larger than life size with the aim to emphasise the captivating effect that being eye to eye with wildlife can have. As a definitive symbol of power, beauty and charm, the white tiger has been one of those creatures that truly stops you, captivates you and with an almost trance like effect leaves you in awe.
Aiming to recreate the feeling and sensation of connection to something raw, 'Captivate' does just that. This wild being pulls you in to it's gaze and allows you the opportunity to get closer to something powerful than would naturally allow.
For details get in touch via msarna.com

The largest face I've painted, The White Tiger is almost done.
Here's a little sneak peak while I get some of the final details done. Loved doing this piece and it's already started to exude and command a presence of its own.
100 x 150cm Oil on Canvas

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE
Black Rhino, Egret and Ox-Pecker birds
This piece explores the harmonious relationship between grazers and birds. Highlighting the Black rhino, one of Africa's iconic and solitary creatures; along with charismatic and communal Ox-Peckers and Egret, we take part in their shared journey.
Playing host to a crowd of highly energetic chorus of feathered hitchhikers, the quietly powerful and humble of beings, our rhino becomes their guide as they move through the grasslands. With the striking flare of an oncoming African sunset we experience a moment that encapsulates a timeless link between symbiotic species.
Oil on Canvas - 150 x 100cm
Contact for more details and availability

The Meeting Point - Gemsbok Oryx
Location: The Namib Desert, Namibia
The meeting point explores a moment of interaction, the point at which we cross paths with others along our and their own journeys.
As desert dwellers, the Gemsbok Oryx traverse undulating dunes and testing terrain.
At a crossroads of routes, like the age-old marketplaces that linked tribes from across the desert sands, this meeting point affords an opportunity to swap tales, updates and experiences from the cool desert nights to the peak of orange mirages in the heat of the desert days.
It is a moment where separate lives intertwine and welcome each other to co-exist before continuing on their chosen path.
Oil on Canvas, 150cm x 100cm, Life-size Subject
for any query, details and more visit msarna.com