Discovered a talent for Art of Painting

I first discovered my talent for painting 55 years ago, when I was in college. It was like this: Our “gang,” consisting of Himadri, Prabir, Joy, Somnath , Sisir and myself, decided to bid for the food stall selling food items for an annual festival—the only such stall. We won the bid. So we decided to get things going by painting posters in watercolour, for which we bought a small box of paint in tablet form with a paintbrush enclosed. After completing the posters , I rather playfully painted a scene on a piece of paper when Prabir said it was looking quite good and why don’t you enter it for the painting competition that was part of the festivities. I did. And you know what? I got the second prize !

And that started a journey to this day when I paint in oils , acrylics, and watercolours. As things go, there were gaps in between—sometimes years—but I somehow managed to keep at it unconsciously and at times consciously. In the Air Force , where I worked for 30 years, I sketched my way through the busy months and also painted when the postings were laid back.

If I were to tell you the truth, I imagined growing into a painter of significance—enough to earn me money. I left the Air Force prematurely without consulting my family as to my real intentions. After leaving, I realised that the whole idea of living by my paintings was impractical, as I just could not earn enough with my pension to sustain my family. 

Today, after all these years—about 12 years since I retired—I am fairly adept with painting as a hobby. I paint with such a facility with a brush and paint in oils on canvas, acrylics on canvas, and watercolours. My paintings are full of colour—the originals have such vigour showing through, that even I am overawed. 

So there goes !!