Nature, travelling and painting are her passions and she will spend hours trying to extract photos of sceneries, sunsets and anything that includes nature in to real life masterpieces. She is none other than Radhika Dias Bandaranaike, a charming lady who never gets tired of painting what she loves most. For her, art is everything and she believes that an artist should be able to find some beauty in whatever they come across in their day to day lives. While getting ready for her next exhibition, Expressions in Water Colours, Radhika sat down for a chat with Daily Mirror Life.
How did you start off as an artist?
I have been involved in painting all my life. I started off drawing cards and was one of the students at Cora Ibrahim’s art class. Later on I started to learn porcelain painting with Rohini Aluvihare. I used to sell cards to leading department stores and my friends also bought cards from me.
Why did choose water colours out of other mediums?
Water colours give a touch of transparency to the painting. There are only a few teachers who have mastered the art of painting with water colours and I was lucky enough to be a student of a few of them. Thereafter I persuaded Damian De Silva, a veteran when it comes to painting with water colours to teach me different techniques.
What about other mediums?
I am positive about young artists using other mediums as well. But they have a flat effect on canvass. I was lucky enough to be taught under a teacher like Damian. Young artists can learn all disciplines in 3 years. It is quite a privilege for them.
What are you inspired by?
Nature. I do a lot of travelling and I snap as many photos as possible. Thereafter I develop the photo in to an art using water colours. I have sunsets, waterfalls and many other types of scenery.
How is it like to be an artist?
I always feel relaxed. Sometimes I wakeup every morning and start painting because during the morning you can get some good light and it keeps the painting fresh.
Let’s talk a little about the exhibition.
It is called ‘Expressions in Water Colours’ and will be held on January 9 and 10 from 9am to 6pm at the Lionel Wendt theatre. It will be a new experience for those who come and see the paintings because they will be able to see the beauty of using water colours.
What message do you have for the young crowd?
Look at the world in a different perspective and you will see that it is a beautiful place to live in.
Interviewed by Kamanthi Wickramasinghe
Photographs by Nisal Baduge
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