As one scrolls through Bhaskar Rao Botcha’s portfolio, there’s a plethora of accomplishments for which most artists strive. In fact, Bhaskar has just returned from an esteemed residency programme with Easel Strokes Gallery in Delhi.
“It was like a Bigg Boss programme,” he laughs, brimming with excitement from the interactive experience. “In the 16th Century, kings often had artists come to their palaces to paint for them; that’s how I felt I was treated there. It was amazing.” The residency programme also presented Bhaskar with plenty of opportunities to meet other artists who use different techniques, which he cites as extremely rewarding.
The learning never ends
Bhaskar Rao is a hardworker when it comes to putting paintbrush to easel. Having studied a Bachelors in Painting at Andhra University followed by a Masters at University of Hyderabad, he is currently Dean of Arts at Loyola Academy where he teaches Art and Design.
Like any good teacher, he learns from his students as they do from him. He adds that in times of frustration they may feel, he encourages them to stick to their goals and to always go by their gut instinct — reflective of his own beliefs in the way the art world works. He explains, “I worked six to seven hours a day, evolving my techniques. We were lucky to study under eminent personalities in art so I made sure to work extremely hard.”
- Well-known artists known for depictions of trees include Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Gustav Klimt and George Inness
The 40 year-old artist strongly advocates the globalisation in the art world; something which has presented him with plenty of opportunities to showcase and sell his work.
The biggest break for him thus far is The International Artist Salon of Art at Art Revolution Taipei in Taiwan this year. He showcased 28 paintings, all of which sold, much to his pleasure.
Bhaskar’s leitmotif
But how did Bhaskar land on what he’s known for? For him, trees are entities that hold a lot of cultural significance. He experimented with figurative art, street-style art and then landscapes which naturally evolved into an interest towards trees.
“According to Indian mythology, trees or vrikshas were the offspring of Anala who was married to the great sage Kashyapa,” he says, “They have a great significant role in our cultural landscape for they not only yield fruits but provide shade as well and cover and protect the Earth’s surface and have come to assume over the years even a sacred role.” Bhaskar has painted and drawn trees in myriad mediums and yet every time he has returned to it with a new mystical vision. Whether in black and white, sombre greys or bright primary colours, the creations stand out vividly and it’s no wonder many of his works have sold around the world at enviable rates.
Like every other artist, he has received criticism for his adherence to trees. He chuckles, “People ask me, ‘don’t you know how to do anything else?’ I just do my work and I am confident in it.”
Bhaskar’s beliefs in his own artistry is something that many artists and other professionals aim to emulate; as he simply digs his heels in and gets on with it.
