I am a figurative artist, born in Sri Lanka and living in England since my late teens. I have been living in the south of Suffolk since the early nineties.

Shanta at work in his studio

My art aims to capture the elusive quality of light and colours in nature. I am inspired by the subtle differences in quality light makes on the atmosphere of spaces and places. I travel to Languedoc in France and Sri Lanka every year and also spent my summers sailing from Essex to the Mediterranean and back between 2016 and 2023. My practice is influenced by these places, as much as Suffolk..

I use oils, watercolours, soft and oil pastels in my landscape and marine art practice. I have recently started to focus on portraiture where, in addition to these art materials, I have experimented with coloured and graphite pencils and pen and ink. My practice includes life drawing, where I regularly attended artist groups at Gainsborough's House and in Long Melford since the early 2000s.

I retired working as an IT and Risk Management consultant in 2015. My original education was in mathematics, computing and finance. In 2021 I started a BA in Fine Art at University of Suffolk but abandon studies after the first year due to time pressures and life-events. I was awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Fine Art.

I am a member of the Colchester Arts Society and Suffolk Open Studios.

• Colchester Arts Society Summer Exhibition, Old Bank Studios Gallery, Harwich ...... Aug 2023
• Colchester Arts Society Winter Exhibition, Minories Gallery, Colchester ........... Nov/Dec 2023
• Minories Summer Open Exhibition, Minories Gallery, Colchester ....................... Jul/Aug 2024
• Colchester Arts Society Winter Exhibition, Minories Gallery, Colchester .......... Nov/Dec 2024