Gaga about atmospheric landscapes

The process of art
For an artist, creating something with a lot of heart is what really matters. We prefer to actually be at a particular place and then draw it on canvas. But in a crowded city like Mumbai, it is not easy to sit at a single location amidst the crowds and let your hand flow.

A painting by Shailesh Sonavane

Therefore, I got the idea of clicking photographs of places I wanted to paint and withtheir help, I created artworks on canvas so that I could record the spot from different angles to form a strong composition for my proposed landscape painting.

Photography has certain limitations at times as it misses a feel or sense of atmosphere. But these are restrictions one has to work with. But whenever I work on a landscape in the scenic areas such as Konkan and Matheran, I don't need to use the camera and perform my best at the original location.

Landscapes for this exhibition
As a preparation for this show I visited various places in the interiors of Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Konkan, surroundings of Satara, Goa, Karnataka and Mumbai to paint landscapes. The endeavour was to paint atmospheric landscapes. This was again a big challenge as I chose a difficult subject with a difficult medium like watercolours. But it was fun doing all of them.

Journey so far
I don't have a degree in fine arts; I am an electronic engineer by profession. My stint with art started thanks to a passion for it. But due to my profession, I can understand the technicalities in art as well. My father Manohar Sonavane was as artist himself and he has taught me the basics of painting. They say that to excel in the form, you need to have it in your blood. And now looking at the works I have done and the recognition I have been receiving, I can definitely say that one needs to have a passion rather than training to shine in it.

On January 21, 9 am to 6 pm
At Bliss Art Gallery, North Main Road, Koregaon Park.
Call 26151718