DMP
Digital Painting
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How the artist in me evolved.
In retrospect, I trace my artistic root to my early childhood days. My schooling was initiated from a village primary school where my father was a teacher. I was very obstinate in those days and had no interest in formal education. But I was doing well in subjects relating to literature and art. During teaching classes I used to copy pictures inside the textbooks and making them colorful by different inks.
In many ways I was different from my friends. I used to get fascinated by simple things in nature- I used to spend hours with wild flowers; I used to stand mesmerized at deft hands of village artisans at work; I just loved wandering in bushy forests, open spaces. Another major attraction those days was the socio-cultural facets of rural life.
The childhood days spent in my uncles house still remains as a major landmark in my life. During summer vacation we used to spend about one month over there. Those days were like heaven to me. The village temple, mango orchard, river in moon nights, crop fields and enjoyment savouring wild edible berries were all full of self discoveries. Night watching of crop fields with my uncle from the wild animals used to excite me a lot. Twinkling stars above and darkness surrounding me used to add special effect to my excitement. Perhaps, those days were the genesis of my attraction towards nature and environment.
My exposure towards nature, environment and cultural live became more varied and intense during my middle school and high school days. I gradually began to participate in village socio- cultural activities, gradually developed friendship with persons I liked. I had a special attraction for one clay idol maker. I was a good singer those days and was sought after in school and village cultural occasions.
My so to say formal learning in 'art' began with a picture book gifted by my uncle. For quite some days it became my inseparable friend. But unfortunately it got lost somewhere.
My rendezvous with village life came to an abrupt end when I got admitted in a city college. But by that time all the nuances, colours, and smell - all the layers of rural life were well ingrained in my mind and had evolved me a young person with finer sensibilities. In college I got more freedom and spend time with friends in wandering and in mischievous activities.
My father got very annoyed and put me as an apprentice in local' art studio' to spend my leisure time over there. Those days spent with the master artist over there were the turning point in my life. I gradually got engrossed in the activities of the 'studio'. During my graduation I hardly attended classes, spent most of the time at the 'studio' and got involved in cultural festivals to share my artistic abilities. `
After graduation, again I persuaded my father to get me admitted to Art College but failed. I took it as a challenge and continued my effort single handedly with moral support of some relatives and well wishers. I applied for entrance but could not succeed in the first chance. I left home and struggled, met many degree holder artists and continued practicing sketch, drawing and painting. At last I got admitted in the art college in our State capital, shared room with one friend, further struggled, consumed quintals of news papers for sketch and came out first class first at the degree level in painting.
Since then I have continued my struggle as freelance artist. This time around the struggle is to give expression to my feelings from where I had began my journey on this path, to give expression to common human perceptions about nature, life.