A painting is an expression of an artist. Every artist has his own liking for medium, subject and style. Person looking at a painting might interpret it one manner, whereas the artist might have something else in his mind.

No no. This is not what I want to write in this blog. All these thoughts popped up in my mind when I saw the paintings of Suresh Bapat.

Suresh Bapat is one of the most senior artists in Pune. I have been knowing him since my college days. Later, I got to know him more closely, when I regularly interacted with him at the place where I was working for some time.

He has chosen a little bit ‘hat ke’ medium and equally ‘hat ke’ subject. These are the pencil sketches and the subject is camouflage. A complex design of leaves, flowers and fruits, which is carefully hiding something within. In the snap attached, one needs few seconds more to find out the squirrels hidden.

It was very exciting and so I was eagerly waiting to talk to him about this. Being a very humble and ‘down to earth’ person, he started with saying, ‘ohh, it’s nothing great’. But being an artist myself, I was knowing how difficult it is. During the discussions, he further mentioned that it takes about 80 to 100 hours for him for a painting of the size of about 2’ x 2’. About 144 sq. inches and he takes about 30 to 45 minutes for just one square inch. Height of patience and perseverance. Amazing.

I am still wondering how he must have thought of all these and further bring it on paper.

You can see many such creations by Suresh Bapat in the exhibition ‘Art Meet’ at Darpan Art Gallery, till 24th July.