Artist Remya Kumar laughs, “Once you have dedicated yourself and set a path, all kinds of opportunities come your way.” ‘Nature’s Spell’, an exhibition of her work is currently underway in Bengaluru, but the architect-turned-artist believes her foray into the world of paints and palettes was nothing short of ‘serious’.
“As a child, my proficiency in art was limited to photographs and copying from other drawings. When you churn out excellent copies, the image becomes a crutch and you cannot create with your imagination. I didn’t know how to make one from scratch; I always needed reference material because I never exercised my creative muscles.”
Remya found her way around this brain block while enrolling in an art class while pursuing an architecture degree in the US. “Initially, I was overwhelmed with my art assignments but the teachers encouraged us to work with different ideas, colours, textures and media. This was my entry into the experiment and it opened up a real understanding of self-discovery. ,
“I realized that to make real art you don’t have to be free and not be afraid to make mistakes because that’s when you explore and learn new things,” she says.
Even as she rode this new wave of self-discovery, Remya says she was inspired by the community of daily painters who complete an entire canvas in a day, from start to finish. . Soon after, he attended an art camp in Trivandrum where he met Chennai-based artist Avi Elango. “He saw some potential in my work and offered to teach me creative painting if I wanted.”
Remya described her stint at Elango’s studio as a life-changing experience where she learned what it means to live an artist’s life in terms of discipline, commitment, patience and sociability. “One needs to meet other artists to continually learn from them and their work.”
A brief return to architecture only made Remya realize that his creative abilities were not being fully utilized and he began painting full time.
“Sometimes there is a craving for change and discovery, and at that point you go back to basics. This is what happened to me during the lockdown and I started sketching again. The pandemic has turned many of us inward.” For me, it was a chance to explore change without worrying about the consequences of social media or art shows.”
“I also started using mixed media – different types of paper, crayons, charcoal, ink and various tools. I love it when two inks mix and create a pattern I never imagined. Along the way, you discover a lot in small moments and I’ve learned that the process is as important as the finished product.”
The results are clear to see in ‘Nature’s Spell’, where unusual shades of mauve, indigo, ocher and crimson evoke lush tropical foliage, reminiscent of Remya’s hometown in Kerala, where she spent some of the lockdown. Months were spent. “The distinctive greenery of the place leaves an impression on you – coconut palms and banana plants along with mango and jackfruit trees are everywhere. I was literally looking out the window and painting,” she says .
Presented by Artenblue ‘Nature’s Spell’ featuring acrylic on canvas and mixed media on paper is on display till February 14 at Gallery @ Maya in Jayanagar, Bengaluru. Prices start from ₹ 7500.
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