We were lucky to catch up with Gamini Ratnavira recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Gamini thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?
As a tropical wildlife artist for the past 50 years I hope my legacy will be in the paintings and book illustrations I have created. These windows into nature include symbiotic relationships and nature as I observed it during my travels. Leaving a love for nature and a passion to protect it ,is a great wish for my legacy.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a Sri Lankan American artist my depiction of endangered species and rainforest species in my paintings and illustrations reflects my love for nature and art. Recently an article about my world view was published on Stanford University’s website and can be found at: www. Gaminiratnavira.com.
How’d you meet your business partner?
My wife Lisa of 20 years walked into my gallery as a volunteer for the Elephant Alliance and I was donating an Elephant print. I hired her that day and since then we have observed African Elephants in South Africa, Asian Elephants in Sri Lanka and recently the Forest Elephants in Uganda. She is my business partner and promotes my paintings at shows, online, via social media, my licensing and is truly my best friend and number 1 fan.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Doing art shows and social media have been two great ways to meet new clients and having my own gallery to show my work and teach art workshops at is also a very meaningful one on one experience with clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Gaminiratnavira.com
- Instagram: @gaminiratnavira
- Facebook: @HiddenForestArtGallery
- Yelp: Hidden Forest Art Gallery
- Other: Etsy Society 6
Image Credits
Photo of Lisa and Gamini Ratnavira by Myke Clarkson Paintings of Gorilla and Chimpanzees and Forest Elephants by Gamini Ratnavira