Pratima Rao

I love being outdoors in the midst of nature which inspires me and provides endless opportunities to paint. The effect of light on the landscape is fascinating and trying to convey these effects through color and value is a challenge and very exciting to me. I want the viewer to feel like they can walk into the land or sea scape and be transported to that moment when I painted and be moved by it. My work is loose and impressionistic because I believe that a painterly approach leaves something to the viewers imagination and keeps them intrigued and interested. I want the viewer to be drawn in by a strong design created using interesting abstract patterns of light and shadow, at the same time be moved by its simplicity and beauty of brushstroke, texture and color. Working outdoors on small canvases in oils, I am able to complete my paintings in a few hours before light conditions change, which I then use to finish larger works in the studio.