For over fifty years, artist Bela Ravikumar has drawn inspiration from nature, exploring its beauty through various artistic mediums and reflecting on her journey from India to California.
For more than five decades, art has served as a profound exploration for Bela Ravikumar, with nature as her constant muse. Inspired by the natural world, she has endeavored to capture its myriad moods through a diverse array of media, including intricate pen and ink drawings, delicate watercolors, vibrant serigraphs, rich etching Intaglio prints, expressive acrylic paintings, and candid photography. Each medium has provided her with a unique lens through which to interpret and appreciate the beauty of the environment.
Ravikumar’s artistic journey began in her childhood, influenced by her parents, who possessed strong aesthetic sensibilities. Her father, a literary figure with a passion for painting and poetry, instilled in her a deep appreciation for nature. He often found solace in the outdoors, surrounded by trees and open skies, while she played among the plants and flowers. Her mother, an art enthusiast, created charming artworks from various materials, which further nurtured Ravikumar’s sense of color and spatial arrangement.
Growing up in the open spaces of Baroda’s MS University campus, Ravikumar’s connection with nature deepened. She and her childhood friends often explored their creativity with a box of oil pastels, drawing flowers, family scenes, and traditional rangoli designs. These early artistic endeavors sparked her curiosity and laid the foundation for her future explorations in art.
Ravikumar’s serious exploration of nature began in high school, guided by an art teacher who encouraged a more intuitive and playful approach to creativity. This formative experience paved the way for her enrollment in the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda, where she immersed herself in one of India’s most vibrant art communities. Under the mentorship of talented instructors and acclaimed artists, she thrived in a rich cultural environment, greatly influenced by the legacy of Maharaja Sayajirao’s patronage of the arts.
One of the pivotal figures in her artistic development was Nasreen Mohamedi, a renowned artist who introduced Ravikumar to new perspectives on observation and expression in art-making. Mohamedi’s Zen-like approach to life and art encouraged students to engage in dialogue about their work, fostering a nurturing environment that shaped lifelong friendships and artistic bonds.
In her early years as an artist, Ravikumar spent much of her time in the solitude of her studio, translating memories from her travels into imaginative landscapes. Her first solo exhibition took place at Jehangir Art Gallery in 1984, followed by participation in various state and national Lalit Kala exhibitions. The introduction of Vipassana meditation into her life provided her with deeper clarity and understanding, enriching her artistic practice.
In the mid-1990s, Ravikumar relocated to California, marking a new chapter in her artistic journey. The Santa Cruz Open Studios introduced her to a community of generous and welcoming artists, allowing her to observe their creative processes firsthand. This experience reignited her passion for watercolor and printmaking, leading to a prolific period of artistic output over the next six years.
During this time, she formed a lasting collaboration with a classmate, resulting in over two decades of creating pen and ink drawings of local landscapes. Additionally, she has engaged with children of all ages at Santa Cruz Montessori, fostering creativity and artistic expression. Collaborating with talented women at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center and Pajaro Valley Arts has further inspired her, as they work together to keep the local art scene vibrant and thriving.
Ravikumar’s journey through art, migration, learning, and fulfillment has been shaped by two cultures, numerous mentors, lifelong friendships, and a supportive family. Living along California’s breathtaking central coast has provided her with endless inspiration, from majestic native trees and sweeping meadows to the patchwork of farmlands and the ever-changing skies. The deep serenity found in nature and the quality of light are threads that consistently weave through her work.
Ravikumar’s solo exhibition, “Inspired by Nature,” will be on display at the Mountains Art Center in Santa Cruz, California, from August 28 to September 21, 2025. This exhibition promises to showcase her journey and the profound connection she has cultivated with the natural world throughout her artistic career.
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