"Lord Ganesha" Print

I am Thimira Dharmavaradhana, a Sri Lankan artist who has been fond of painting and art since childhood. My interests in art grew during my school years, where I focused on developing it as a part of my curriculum. I was first drawn to art when I copied an elephant drawing by my sibling. My mother, recognizing my talent, enrolled me for art training under Master Vidyaratne. After completing my training, I held my first solo exhibition, which was honored by the participation of the renowned Sybil Wettasinghe. My artistic journey did not end there. I was later sent to study under Dileepa Solangarachchi until my Ordinary Level examinations. For higher studies, I chose Kelaniya Gurukula College, where I became even more involved in external art-related activities. During this period, I gained valuable experience in mural painting, carving art, and flower decoration, under the guidance of Nalaka Kalthotage. I also developed a wide knowledge of watercolor painting and its various techniques. My first watercolor work was based on the ancient Sri Lankan design of the Three Elephants, or Thumpathrana. From there, I began painting sacred and historical images of Sri Lanka. With the experience I gathered, I eventually moved on to painting on canvas using oil and acrylic mediums, which opened a new phase of my career. My ambition is to hold an exhibition of my paintings at the National Art Gallery, to share my work with the world.