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Photograph of the artist Mekala Rodrigo

I paint vibrant still life and portraiture with a touch of whimsy. My pallet is strongly inspired by the colours of autumn and find colour to be the heart beat of my work. It resonate deeply with what I want to bring out into the world "a warmth and a sense of joy". I find inspiration in the natural world, in emotions and in other works of art. 

I mainly work with acrylics on canvas and wood both of which I thoroughly enjoy. Based in Melbourne I work from my home studio in Elwood where walks to the beach is probably my favourite pastime. 

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A little bit about me

It was a shop window of bright coloured floral that turned my path from an architect to artist. I remember that day, I was mesmerised by the shop window that I stared at it for a long time and took a pic (which I still have to date). I wasn’t an artist before nor flowers particularly interested me. But something triggered in me and after a while I carried with me the largest canvas I could fit into the car and started painting flowers. It just came. Then I went back to being an architect. Few years ago after a solo trip to New Zealand I came back and almost out of a whim decided to start painting coasters (why coasters? I don't know) and create a small business where profits would fund charitable causes. so I did that. Two years down and here I am still going and growing and walking on paths I never even dreamt of or knew possible.  

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I was born in Sri Lanka and landed in Melbourne, Australia 15 years ago to pursue my studies and a career as an architect. I guess fate had other plans. I am self-taught & started my art journey by painting flowers where I soon found my own style which felt like home. Then one day as I was dabbling in pencil drawings I realised I could draw realistic portraits and the works evolved into what I am currently creating. I find painting more in tune with me and comes to me easier than drawing and I quite enjoy the freedom of running brush strokes on a canvas. 

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I paint in silence, without any music or white noise because part of the process of painting for me is listening to my own thoughts which I quite enjoy. However, occasionally if I have millions of dots to paint and want to be efficient I'd turn to my trusty spotify, and play the same playlist over and over again. 

 

I am grateful for the journey so far and I am grateful for the journey ahead of me. If there is one thing I have learned from the last couple of years, it is this; If you want to do something, anything, you can. You just need to start, commit to the idea and be consistent.  There are no failures in my book. Success is inevitable to those who keep going. 

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Thank you for being here.

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xx

Mekala

 

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Artist in her home studio creating vibrant floral artwork
Colour palette inspired by autumn hues
Like to know more?

If you'd like to know more or have any questions, I'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch.

All text & images on this site are property of Mekala Rodrigo. All rights remain with the artist and may not be used, copied or reproduced without permission.  

©2024 by mekalarodrigo

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