By Tom Geddie
Longview artist Anup Bhandari’s paintings are, in a way, like life itself: an exploration of self and bright possibilities.
Born in Nepal, in 1980, his banker father, Achyut Bhandari, encouraged his early interest in art. So he found himself in East Texas because Kilgore College – the only school he applied to – was less expensive than any other he looked at.
He came to the college in 2000, and after picking up an associate’s degree in fine arts, earned a full-scholarship bachelor in fine arts degree at The University of Texas at Tyler. Now he’s back at Kilgore studying photography because he believes it will help him be a better artist.
His paintings – often but not always abstract, ranging from 30-by-40 inches up to six-by-eight feet – are brightly colored and often busy, which he attributes to his upbringing and to one of his inspirations, Jackson Pollack.
“I move my paintbrush frantically, splatter paint of all colors. That is when my energy flows. Many say I use bright colors. Maybe it is the influence of brightly dressed people in Nepal. Stark contrasting colors are powerful to attract attention. Whereas I in person am shy,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like my paintings turns out to be everything I am not. Perhaps it gives me space to reveal some of my desires and ambition.
“When near me, my painting is a constant reminder. Sometimes I am aware of what it reminds me of. Yet many times I am not and still need to contemplate. After the first splitter-splatter of color rain on my canvas and once all the blank, white canvas is covered, then begins what I call real painting.”
Anup is still establishing himself as an artist, but his first big break may already have come. He’s a finalist in the prestigious Hunting Art Prize competition. The winner, who was to be named on April 30, gets a $50,000 prize – touted as the most generous annual award in North America for painting and drawing.
That recognition is already beginning to open new doors from him, as it has for previous finalists, with potential shows in Dallas and Austin galleries.
Anup’s work was in the April group exhibit at P’s Gallery in Longview and he’s put it on the walls at several restaurants and other places including the trendy Salon Verve in downtown Tyler, where he was recently artist of the month. Three of his paintings are in the permanent collection of the Longview Museum of Fine Arts.
When Anup is not spending time with his wife, Astha Tuladhar, in their Longview home or making photographs or a new painting – sometimes 18 hours at a stretch – he’s a consistent supporter and promoter of local nonprofits.
“My dad taught me to help others, to try do something for others,” he said. “I don’t have money to give, but I have my skill. So I use my skill to help others. I’ll donate to just about any nonprofit group. I’m really glad to donate my paintings for that.”
His donations help raise money for the Japanese tsunami victims, for Nepali school children, and for local nonprofits.
Anup also volunteers for groups such as homeless centers whenever he has time.
“My next project is planning this summer to do art with the homeless. Art heals,” he said. “There are people out there, so many people who are really talented artists – I want to encourage them and make them happy.”
In other words, he wants to help the homeless explore themselves and life’s bright possibilities.
