Once Chamindra de Silva is a self-taught, realistic wildlife artist with a great passion for wildlife conservation. Nature is the muse behind his creativity and his immense love for nature since childhood led him to become a wildlife artist in adult life.
This is an exclusive interview done with Chamindra de Silva by Aartzy about his vibrant, artistic journey:
How long have you been painting?
I have been painting professionally since 2017. Although I have been drawing ever since I can remember and my mother greatly encouraged me, I worked with crayons and watercolors during my school days but could never express what I really wanted. Being frustrated, I grew to dislike colors altogether. Eventually, I limited myself to pencil and paper, which I was truly good at. A few years back, I was inspired to try painting again — that’s how my journey began, and there has been no turning back since.
Who are your greatest influencers?
My greatest influencers are my parents, especially my father. I admire him for living the exemplary life of a passionate and loving human being. I learned to respect, love, and protect all life, which inspired me to paint for causes like conservation. In the art world, I was inspired by the realist artist Andrew Tischler. His quality of art is something I strive to achieve. I also admire Robert Bateman, David Shepherd, and many classical realist artists of the past.
Did you have a formal education or are you self-taught?
I have no formal academic background in fine arts, but I constantly learn through online resources. I learned oil painting techniques that led to my first painting and have been creating my own unique style ever since. I also explore other mediums to expand my knowledge. From an early age, my pencil drawings developed into a unique, unorthodox technique. I strive to achieve a detailed naturalistic style in all my paintings.
How did you become so passionate about wildlife and wildlife painting?
My love for wildlife grew from a very early age. I spent countless days helping my grandmother in the garden, which built a deep bond with nature. I began drawing plants and insects as a hobby and often gifted wildlife drawings to family members. When I chose my artistic path, it was natural for me to focus on wildlife.
You are a professional non-linear video editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. What made you diversify into painting?
I worked as a non-linear video editor for over two decades in Sri Lanka and overseas, including with Discovery Channel. My passion for visual creativity led me into digital post-production. With the arrival of my daughter in 2007, I gave up my full-time career to freelance so I could take care of her. The freelance market was challenging, so I explored other avenues — that’s when I came across paintings by a New Zealand artist, which inspired me to start painting. I built my own table easel and began creating works focused on endangered wildlife.
My first painting was of a gorilla’s eyes. The emotion in them moved me deeply, and that painting changed everything. I realized I had the ability all along. From then on, I’ve kept learning and experimenting with mediums like tempera, gouache, watercolor, and acrylic. For an artist, evolving is vital — constant refinement keeps creativity alive.
How did being a graphic designer and video editor help you as a painter?
Of course, my post-production experience taught me a lot about framing, color, and visual storytelling. But fine art goes deeper — a fine artist is both creator and narrator, evoking emotions in the viewer through a single image. That’s the ultimate challenge. My experience gave me a foundation, but fine art has pushed me to new levels of creativity.
Could you walk us through your process? How much time do you spend preparing compared to painting?
Preparation depends on the painting. Sometimes I do a rough sketch to plan the scene, but I often evolve the work as I go. I start by dividing the canvas using the one-third rule, staining it to neutralize the white, and blocking in colors based on tonal temperature. That takes about 30 % of the total time. Then I sculpt and refine the details — adjusting tone, texture, and form. This takes another 30 %. The final stage is detailing, the “icing on the cake,” which brings the painting to life.
You seem to be consistently engaging in new artistic adventures. How is exploration important to you, and how do you decide what to include in your style?
Right now, my focus is on helping conservation and raising awareness about Sri Lanka’s endemic wildlife. I give special attention to rare and endangered species, developing painting series that highlight their beauty and vulnerability. For any artist, evolution is vital. Being a realist painter inspired by nature, I feel it’s my duty to protect and preserve it through my work.
Was there a particular moment when you realized your skills had crossed into a higher level? What made that leap happen?
The turning point came when I finally faced my fears and believed in myself. My first oil painting — the gorilla eyes — proved that I had found something special. The feedback from my family, friends, and other artists confirmed it. Every painting since has been a step forward, refining my skills and knowledge.
You’ve accomplished much, including working with the Discovery Channel. How do you push yourself? Do you set goals, and how important are they for an artist?
Goals are essential — a clear direction gives purpose to any profession. Within three years as an artist, two of my paintings were selected for exhibitions in the US after a rigorous curation process. This recognition motivates me to aim higher. My dream is to become a world-class wildlife artist.
Supporting wildlife conservation is also one of my goals. I hope to explore other genres and even sculpting. One day, I plan to open an art school to share my knowledge with the next generation and help them understand the importance of protecting wildlife.
How has your experience been working with Aartzy? Do you think it’s a useful platform for artists?
As a professional artist, marketing is vital. In the past, exhibitions were the main way to reach buyers, but they were costly. Today, online platforms like Aartzy make it much easier to connect with a global audience. Aartzy’s online gallery and artist-focused services help expand reach and visibility. It’s an excellent modern tool for creatives.
Janaka at Aartzy has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration. I’m grateful for our collaboration and look forward to a long-term relationship, nurturing creativity together.
Now you can also view and purchase Chamindra’s collection via https://www.aartzy.com/artist/chamindra-de-silva
Aartzy (2020)
