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Arts

Taking a colourful break from their busy lives
By Sachie Fernando
They are a group of 16 energized people inspired to progress in their art by veteran art teacher Lathifa Ismail. A diverse group, they come from different backgrounds and professions, but for all of them painting is not just a profession but also a way of finding leisure and peace in their busy lives.They call themselves ‘Leisure Artists’.

Sonali Amuhengoda who works at a law firm enjoys painting with oils, watercolours and pastels. "This helps me to de-stress a lot, " she says. Priyanwada Subhani, a charted accountant also finds art a means of relaxation. She prefers oils and watercolours.

Shiromi Karunaratne, a mother and a grand mother aged 47 claims that art is the passion that takes the stress off her life. Her mastery over oils is evident in her beautiful portrayal of landscapes such as the Parakrama Samudra and Bogawanthalawa lake.

Chedliya Munawer, 18, is teaching at the Daybridge International School at present. Though young, her paintings have the feel of a mature artist. They range from nature paintings, abstracts, still lives and landscapes, each different and yet absorbing.

Malathi Pahathkubura has been learning from Lathifa for the past nine months. This being her first exhibition she is very excited. One of her many paintings is the garden she has worked with oils. She calls it "My heaven".

Shenuka Dias has been learning under Latifa since the age of 6 and taking part in most of her thrice-yearly exhibitions. Working as a graphic designer, she has been inspired by her own mother Sonali Dias who is also taking part in this event.

Rehan Wijesekara, a management accountant says art is his "first love" and has been since he was a child. For Ruma Lameer, this is her fifth exhibition. An art teacher, she is well versed in Arabic calligraphy. She has also taken the initiative in organizing this exhibition. “Though it is hard to paint in addition to teaching I love art too much, to give it up," she said smiling.

Also exhibiting their work are Achala Jayawardane, Anne Wijesekara, Insiya Amiruddin, Shifana, Kamini, Husena and Shifaya who all work together with great enjoyment." It's more like a family, " said Shiromi. They share ideas and learn from each other. Their exhibition will be on from July 23 to 25 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery.

Birds come alive with fluid strokes
Artist Lester Perera holds his sixth exhibition of bird paintings 'Shorebirds' on July 24 and 25 at the Harold Peiris gallery (Lionel Wendt).

Over 50 works of art will be on display - most of them watercolour paintings though some acrylic studies are included. The paintings offer rare glimpses into Sri Lanka's varied bird life. Shorebirds in their natural ambiance of sea , sand and sky vie for attention with some studies of Lester’s favourite forest birds in their natural habitat.

Concurrently with the exhibition, there will be the release of 'Shorebirds' a book on bird watching in Sri Lanka illustrated by Lester Perera with articles by his friend Gehan de Silva Wijeratne - the fanatic bird watching duo's latest excursion into print.

Copies of the 64-page book (with hard cover and dust jacket) will be on sale at a special discount price. Lester's first exhibition of paintings in 1990, was received very well. Subsequent exhibitions were held in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2002. His repertoire expanded with each exhibition while his mastery of his subject increased.

The current display is stunningly authentic - the brushstrokes, fluid and sweeping, combined with meticulous attention to detail bring both bird and habitat to life.

A fanatic bird watcher, Lester paints directly from field observations, either at the site itself or based on field sketches made on site. “For me, this is the most thrilling part of bird watching,” he says. “Some birds are very rare and therefore difficult to spot in the wild.

“The challenge is to commit to sketch book or memory enough detail so that I can draw an authentic picture.” A self-taught bird watcher and artist, Lester has combined his artistic skill with his passion for nature and wild life.

He quit his private sector job two years ago to devote time to his twin passions of bird watching and bird painting. He now works as a specialist tour guide for foreign bird watching groups who visit Sri Lanka.

The exhibited work will be available on sale offering collectors a rare chance to acquire bird paintings which are truly evocative of both bird and habitat. The exhibition, open free of charge each day from 9 am to 6 pm is funded by Jetwing Eco.

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