Puzzle, 2024

Amogh Katyayan  

Amogh doesn't think he was born as an artist and some people may think he is not an artist even today! As per Amogh's understanding everyone is an artist.

Below is best story he talks about from one of the art books in writer's own words: "When I was getting ready to go to my art class to teach, my 4 years daughter asked where I was going. “I am going to teach some adults how to draw." I replied. My daughter replied “Do adults forget how to draw, as I still remember how to?"

Amogh's story in his own words: "All of us has artist in us. Some of us get opportunity to explore and some of us get busy in our lives so much, we forget to draw. I was born and raised in foothills of Himalayals in India. My parents being typical Indian parents, encourage me to become engineer or doctor. So eventually I became engineer by education and profession. And I am not complaining as I have very good career in this field in various countries and continents.

Finally I am settled in Calgary Canada. During all these years somewhere my artist was still awake and I did not forget to draw completely; though I was close to loosing it! My mom used to paint when she was young. At age of 65, she thought to pick it again and attended the art classes. As she could not speak english, I was supposed to be her translator so I ended up signing up for that classes as well. During those classes I realized that I still have some artist left in me. That's how I started painting in various styles to look for what I liked most. My initial work is mixer of various techniques and styles. I never had formal art education, so my search was crude and laborious. But finally I found it.

Recent work includes the combination of acrylic, gesso and color pastels. When we paint randomly with different color combinations, we unknowingly create something on canvas. The new style, I have started is to find that art on the canvas. It is similar to finding shapes in the clouds! Pastel work brings those shapes to life. For the formal art education, I attended some art courses for adults.

I am member of Calgary Creative Art Guild and participate in their art shows. I also participated in charity art competition and won the first prize for fastest acrylic painting! Apart from this I have hobby of woodworking. I also made few sculptures from the scrape wood. Creativity has only the beginning."