Bookworm, the children’s library, at St Inez, Panaji found a supporter in Sunil S Mehta of Merces to hold an art workshop at the charming courtyard space of Gallery Gitanjali, Panjim Pousada, which is one of the three Heritage Hotels based in Fountainhas, Panjim. It was a fund raising event for the Bookworm.

It was a full house of 12 participants, who painted en plein—under the open air sky in the courtyard of the Pousada – it could not be more natural and relaxing.

The course was taught by Sunil S Mehta who learnt art at J J School, Mumbai and at art courses abroad. Sunil movingly records landscapes: he paints the wild grandeur of the sea, and the tender greens of pastures.  He sees the landscape in terms of an ever-changing palette, from season to season, as clouds and sunlight striate the countryside or seas with his mixed media technique. 

His style reflects a natural world that is alive. He paints land and seascapes along with abstract works in oils and acrylics and also experiments with water colours!

So, the participants spent three exciting days learning from basics, mixing colours, painting single colour  to gauge tonal quality and then finally painting a land or seascape over two days. It was fascinating to see how these ladies, unaware of techniques and in some cases never ever used oils before, managed to paint a full landscape in two three hour sessions. The course was so successful because they were enthused with the knowledge imparted and freedom given in painting. Now they have asked Sunil to come back to teach them more in oils and other media.

Bookworm was naturally pleased with the whole response and support from Miriam Koshy Sukhija of Gallery Gitanjali for its support and Sunil S Mehta for conducting this workshop.