My imagination runs wild, says artist Hemant Rao

Art knows no boundaries. It is an expression that goes beyond the notions of reality.
Echoing similar thoughts of freedom and expression is the work of Hemant Rao, an artist from a remote village in Madhya Pradesh.
His paintings entitled "40 Works of Hemant Rao" was on exhibit here recently.
Hemant who likes to experiment with nature in his paintings says that he paints for a soothing and calm experience, both for himself and his audience.
"Our nature has so many colours and forms. The leaves, flowers, butterflies- everything is beautiful. Nature is the biggest creator. I like to bring my own innovations in these forms of nature through my paintings," he says.

"I like to draw those objects that look pleasing to the eyes. The tonal variety of light colours like grey, brown and off white come out really well. They bring in transparency which I admire," explains the painter about the medium of his work.

Rao has worked with Bharat Bhavan, a cultural centre for performing arts in Bhopal. He now freelances from his own studio in Madhya Pradesh that he opened five years ago.
He says that as a child, his mother used to always encourage him to paint but his teachers were furious with him for neglecting his studies.

"I was not very good with studies. I loved canvasses right from the beginning. Whenever I saw a blank page, I used to draw something and head towards my mother. She has always been my inspiration. She never discouraged me from taking up art," he says.