Colourful Strokes by Milind Nayak

Milind Nayak, 60, a self-taught painter, found his acclaim to fame through his untiring efforts at painting. But was this journey as colourful as his paintings? We found out when Nidhi Chawla spoke to him during his latest exhibition at Rangoli Metro Art Center at Bangalore.

?Fragments from an Unstructured Existence? was the title of artist Milind Nayak?s three week long exhibition representing the gist of his work over the period 1999-2014 through over 200 paintings, some showcased before and some never. In Nayak?s words, ?This exhibition was not an attempt at representing stylization but an attempt to honestly show the choice of personal freedom in my work?. Nature being his inspiration you will see it represented in all his works, in all its moods and all its resplendent glory, sometimes in form of abstracts and sometimes in landscapes. ?I started painting because of my love for landscapes and I am unwilling to sacrifice what I paint for small compensations, even when asked by collectors to move to figurative work?. ?When dissatisfied with the work I am doing, I change my style?. So, you will find his paintings in varied art mediums ? oil, pastels, oil pastels and water colours etc.

However, sustaining on painting has never been easy and only those with talent and those who have shown grit and perseverance have made it successfully across the finish line. Nayak too was faced with these familial demands and he went on a hiatus while he worked at Syndicate Bank and later started his own colour copier business to make a living. But such was his love for colours that while he was not painting full time he was experimenting with other mediums like photography, printing, graphics etc.

This break lasted for fifteen long years and in the year 1999 he went back to painting. By year 2001 Nayak had decided to take the leap of faith and pursue his career as a full time painter. So at the age of 45, he sold off his well-established business to his competitor and went back to art with a vengeance. Termed financially suicidal by many well-wishers Nayak holds no regrets as his decision has paid off.

Milind Nayak

Nayak grew up in Udupi in the company of famous artist G.S. Shenoy, being first exposed to the reputed artist?s work when all of 14 years of age. It became a daily ritual to visit the artist?s studio after college and observe him paint. With Shenoy refusing to teach, Nayak learnt by observation and experimentation. He developed his own style and technique and taught himself to be a painter.

Losing a toe many years later and breaking an ankle post that became a hindrance to his standing and painting but Nayak learned to adapt to the situation rather than give in. He took to brush instead of knife and worked seating for four years till he figured out a way to go back to painting with knife. ?I too have my blues but I continue to reinvent myself. Goal is to keep working and achieve?, says the artist. ?Have a dream, have faith in the dream and let the dream culminate?.

Nayak?s work at display at Rangoli Metro Art Center

Many exhibitions hence and many personal traumas later Nayak says he is a much wiser and patient man than in his 20s and 40s. ?I am a wanderer in the desert and forest of my mind and I believe masterpiece is a myth as it is an unending journey, only the interpretation changes.?

 Fragments from Unstructured Existence was at display at Rangoli Metro Art Center, Bangalore from 7th January 2015 to 1st February 2015