BANGALORE: For wildlife artist Sangeetha Kadur, nature and art form an integral part of her existence. Having specialised in painting from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, she started her career as a freelance artist in 2005. Being an outdoor enthusiast, her love for bird watching, exploring the wild and travelling has grown over the years. With her latest exhibition of paintings titled A Brush with Nature that took place from January 27 to 30 at Shanthi road Gallery, she hopes to understand the beauty of wildlife and capture the rhythms of the organic world. Sangeetha Kadur shares with us her views on art.
1. Tell us about your upcoming exhibition A Brush with Nature.
Since I graduated from CKP, I have been taking on projects related to nature and wildlife. A brush with nature is my first solo exhibit showcasing some of my wildlife art that I have done over the years. The exhibit will have a display of some of my hummingbird prints, a project I have been involved with for the past couple years. I will also have my nature journals on display -- showing the small sketches and doodles I do when I am
out in the field.
2. When did you first realise that you wanted to become an artist?
I have always been interested in art even since school days. I would look forward to art classes. I joined CKP mainly because of the urge to learn and get better at art. But at that point in time, I had no clue that I would end up as a Wildlife Illustrator. I gradually graduated as an artist for sure. But it was when I stepped out, took on wildlife projects and pursued it further, I felt like an artist from within.
3. How difficult is it sketch/depict wildlife on the canvas? What are the different techniques you use?
Illustrating wildlife does have its own challenges. The proportions, colors, posture, habitat and the behavior have to be given the utmost of importance, as that is what makes a realistic wildlife painting. Equally important is how to compose the painting on to the canvas. All this requires a conscious observation and learning about the various aspects, to understand nature better. The more you try to understand it, the better one would be able to depict it. So, having a passion for wildlife and a passion for art, has certainly helped me pursue this career further. I do a thorough research before I start any work. I take references from photographs and descriptions, and compose my paintings. I do simple pen and ink sketches, and watercolor washes out in the field, in my journal. The finer, detailed paintings are done in my studio. I mainly work with acrylics.
5. Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Your thoughts on the same?
I truly believe in that thought. It is like, the more you understand something, you will be able to explain it in the most beautiful and simple words. There lies the art... indeed! Simplifying something is not as simple as it seems. I think it takes years of practice.
6. What is your definition of art?
Art is a personal form of expression. And nature has no caste, creed, race or religion. It is simple beautiful. With respect to Wildlife art, what I specialize in, I hope to capture the beauty of our natural world and express it on my canvas. Further, hope to instill sense of responsibility, admiration and belonging with nature. If the painting is expressed well, I am sure it can send out a strong positive message to mankind.
7. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Nature is where all my inspiration is drawn from! It could be small bugs, butterflies, the colourful flowers, leaves is varied shapes, seedpods designed in interesting forms, birds or animals.
Everything about nature inspires me. It is the ever-inspiring natural world that I want to be able to share with the world, through my art.