In this journey of life, our paths are often defined by an unknown force, and however hard we try to take a different road, fate always brings us back to where we belong? Our artist in conversation today is young and gifted with an ability to create the most stunning landscapes. He has great ambitions and is always ready to learn as he believes an artist can never stop learning. Let's find out more about Nuwan Darshana, his love for art and his plans for the future! We are excited to present his interview today!

How long have you been painting?

I have been painting since I was very small, I think from about the age of 4. My teachers at school realized that I have a talent and encouraged me to pursue art. I honestly didn't think I would be a professional artist one day, but, here I am. It's been 10 years since I have begun my career as an artist.

Who influenced you the most in this journey?

I study the works of both Sri Lankan and International artists. Locally, Solis Mendis is one artist I look up to & amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; internationally, Michael James Smith and Kevin Hill are my influencers, they use modern technology to reach an audience, for example, Kevin Hill has tutorials on his YouTube channel. I learn so much from them about the styles and techniques.

Did you have a formal education on art and painting or are self-taught?

I am a self- taught artist. I have no formal education about art. Everything I know has been learnt by practice. No one in my family is aesthetic in any way so I believe I was given this talent for a reason.

What are other passions other than art? How have these passions contributed for you to become the artist you are today?

I enjoy music very much and play electronic music as a hobby. It helps me relieve stress after a long day of work. Painting and creating art is not easy, there is a lot of thinking which takes place. And thankfully music is where I turn to when I need to relax.

Do you have a particular style? How did you become so passionate about this style?

I don't have a particular style as such. I am currently painting in acrylic medium on canvas because this helps to elaborate on every detail of a painting. My style is unique to me, I gather from other artists and make it my own. So it is difficult for me to give a name for it. People and landscapes are my most present and favorite creations and acrylic medium allows me to paint with ease.

Could you walk us through the process? Percentage wise, how much time do you spend preparing for the painting and how much time on the actual painting itself? Is preparation an important part of your process?

There is definitely a process and I must prepare myself to paint. For example, if I am to paint a landscape, I take 2-3 photographs from different angles and spend about a day observing the details, if needed I crop out certain parts and combine the pictures. Next I prepare the colors and canvas. Painting, in itself takes about 2 days where I first begin by making a sketch or an outline of the landscape and then filling it with color and detail.

Are you engaged in new artistic adventures? How is artistic exploration important to you as an artist and to your process? How do you then decide what to incorporate into your style and what you leave as pure fun?

Yes, I am always looking for new techniques and styles. As an Artist, I believe this world is ever evolving and we need to move forward and learn new methods of painting, experiment with new mediums. If not, we become stagnant and so does our creations. Having an open mind is important for an artist as there is so much to learn and it is through experimenting that we learn. At the moment, I am experimenting oil on canvas paintings, trying to see the outcome of mixed mediums.

Was there a particular moment where you could tell that your skills had just crossed over into being an exceptionally good painter instead of a pretty good painter? What did you do to make that leap?

I have a long way to go before I am able to judge myself. At present, when I paint one piece I am somewhat satisfied with the outcome, but then I paint another and I realize there is so much more I need to learn. So it is still a learning process for me. I hope one day I will be able to make that leap.

How do you push yourself? Do you set goals for yourself? And if so, what are the goals? Do you think setting goals is important for an artist in his/her artistic journey? If so, why?

As an artist and as a person, I have goals for myself. They keep me motivated and keep me focused. Short term and long term goals help us achieve our final result. I currently have a YouTube channel and I am working on improving it further, increasing my reach. I also want to try painting realism through acrylic and oil, it is a challenge and I have taken it upon myself to present a finished work. My message to all those who wish to pursue art as a career, is to never give up, continue to paint and draw until you become the best.

How is your experience working with Aartzy? Do you think it is a useful platform for artists?

Janaka and his team have been awesome. I have been working with them for quite some time now. They are very professional. Aartzy, is established at a time where local artists like us need it the most. We have little support on the ground level and this online platform has really helped take our work across the seas. I have managed to establish myself and have sold paintings through Aartzy as well. Working with Janaka has been a real pleasure and I hope to continue to build a long lasting relationship.

His entire collection an be explored and purchased through https://www.aartzy.com/artist/nuwan-darshana

Manesha Peiris (2021)