Following the Art

Bhatia,who is Indore-based,will be exhibiting his paintings at Arvee Art Gallery in Aundh from today. Bhatia held a senior position in an pharmaceutical company when he decided to give up his job and dedicate himself to art. “I had spent considerable part of my life working as pharmaceutical professional and had 18 years of service left,however,I chose art because I was always reminded of my mother,who was an artiste and who wanted her children to take up art too. I was good at drawing and painting,and so I thought I could make her last wish come true. So I resigned from my job and started teaching art and later on I started painting,” says Bhatia,who garnered enough praise and support from the artiste fraternity in the first year itself and was a successful art teacher.

“However,it was a big hiccup for me to switch jobs and turn to painting. It required courage and support both,and with the blessings of my mother,it turned out to be a good decision. Apart from teaching art,I also started to sell my paintings to various interior designers. I had my first public exhibition of my paintings in 1997,where my paintings sold for Rs 3,000. I was content and my family was supportive and therefore I could make it till here,” he adds.

Bhatia gives credit to his wife,who has been a strong support system to him at all times. He says,“My wife is a teacher and not only did she allow me to follow my heart and paint at that point of life,but also looked after the family when I was not earning that much.”

Bhatia paints in both water and oil medium and also makes charcoal paintings and portraits. This will be his third exhibition in the city. About his experience in the city,he says that he has received very good response from Puenites and that brings him here again and again. Talking about the choice of denizens in the city,he says,“I have noticed very varied choices in Pune. The culturally-rich city never sticks to one type. They want to explore all the aspect of the art. However,Ganesha has been a favorite subject here for very obvious reasons. The latest painting that I sold in Pune was also a Ganesha.”

While the professional demand keeps him in touch with floral or human figure paintings,Bhatia’s personal favorite is thematic-abstract. “Though I paint,exhibit and sell,teaching art still remains my favorite activity. I think I am good at that. That had given me immense success and earned me my name as an art teacher,which paved way for my art career. In future I would like to conduct workshops and teach painting to people. Unfortunately,my son is not interested in painting but many more are and as an artiste it is my duty to teach them if they want to know,” he concludes.

(Rajendra Bhatia’s paintings will be exhibited at Arvee Art Gallery from today till June 12,11 am to 7.30pm.)