Imaginative Forest Paintings Series: Painting 22 Painting

Magunta Dayakar, born Magunta Venkata Subba Reddy, is an Indian artist, writer, and filmmaker. After discontinuing his undergraduate studies, he explored various creative fields over different periods, shaping a diverse artistic career. Dayakar gained recognition as a popular fiction writer in his native language, Telugu, and has authored 35 novels. He also worked as an editor and publisher, briefly running a feature magazine. In addition to writing, he ventured into filmmaking, scripting, acting in, and directing two feature films. As an artist, Dayakar has collaborated with major companies like Spectra and Coca-Cola India. He also dedicated nearly 15 years to running the Creative Painting School for children in Hyderabad, nurturing young talents. A prolific author in the field of painting, he has written 15 successful books on painting, many of which have received 4 and 5-star ratings on Amazon. Artist's Statement I do not paint landscapes as fixed images—I paint forests as they are felt, shifting and alive. Some art lovers have observed in my work an intensity of light and contrast that brings to mind Monet, an expressive brushwork that hints at Renoir, and a strength that echoes Pollock’s energy. While I appreciate these observations, my approach is instinctive and independent, shaped by my own journey rather than any single tradition. My paintings exist between control and chaos, energy and stillness, capturing the untamed spirit of the forest. My brushstrokes are not careful or orchestrated—they are spontaneous, raw, and instinctive. The light in my paintings does not dissolve gently; it strikes, disrupts, and pulses with energy. I embrace contrasts rather than smooth transitions, allowing each painting to unfold naturally, without premeditation—just as nature does. In earlier times, artists like Monet and Rembrandt had no way to display their work to a global audience—they were bound by their surroundings, their patrons, and the limits of their era. But today, an artist like me can present my work to the world instantly, allowing it to be seen across continents, without waiting for approval from galleries or collectors. This is a privilege that past masters never had, and I embrace it fully. I do not paint to follow trends or please the market; I paint because the forest speaks to me, and I follow its voice. My work is not just about depicting nature—it is about feeling its restless, untamed energy.