Kathmandu, August 23 — I remained outside a stunning house, uncertain whether I had found the right location. Shortly after, artist Anna Dhakal emerged, her friendly grin confirming that I was indeed at the correct spot. As she greeted me, walking into the living room resembled entering an ideal space for art enthusiasts.
The walls displayed artworks from both the Eastern and Western traditions, with big windows offering a glimpse of blossoms and a garden outside. Sunlight poured through, and just below the windows, one wall had a tiny delight—a mural depicting small homes and trees—evidence that Dhakal’s imagination goes far beyond traditional canvases.
When I questioned Dhakal about how she wanted to present herself, she hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Her spouse, who was seated close by, softly interjected. “She is someone influenced by her internal drive. Occasionally, she might paint all through the night, without resting. At other times, she could go a full week without picking up a brush. Her artwork serves as an outlet, fueled by emotion.”
Dhakal openly states, “I am unable to convey all things with words. Art provides me with a personal means of expression.”
From a young age, Dhakal has felt a strong attraction towards colors. Her father frequently gifted her with paint supplies, and she would spend countless hours experimenting. Nevertheless, her schooling didn’t allow her the space to develop as an artist. “I couldn’t concentrate on my lessons. My sole interest lay in artistic endeavors,” she remembers. The strict educational structure, which never valued art highly, led her to abandon painting ultimately.
Later on, during the pandemic quarantine period, she took up painting once more. With no official instruction, she began exploring different techniques. “When I have colors, a canvas, and a brush, I simply start. Initially, I imitated pieces from other painters to improve my skills. Gradually, I gained knowledge through experience and mistakes.”
For many years, Dhakal was afraid of showing her artwork. “What if others criticized me, and I quit painting completely?” she often thought. However, her younger brother urged her to share her creative journey on TikTok when lockdowns began. Initially unsure, her videos soon became popular. Supportive comments from viewers around the globe helped boost her confidence.
Although oil painting is generally seen as challenging, it flowed easily for her. She learned how to create shadows and dimension without formal instruction.
Dhakal views painting as her most effortless form of expression, something that comes naturally to her. “Some artists create art for the market and commerce. However, there are others like me who paint from emotion, rather than following fads.”
She attempted to enroll in an art course last year but stopped attending after just two weeks. “I felt out of place. My inner self guides how I should paint. I wasn’t able to learn anything from there,” she explains.
The passion she has for painting stems from challenges faced during her early years. She experienced bullying at school, which impacted her self-esteem. “I was extremely delicate emotionally. I preferred solitude, and I discovered solace in nature. That’s likely why nature turned into the focus of my artwork.”
She previously worked at a financial institution following her MBA, yet the busy setting exhausted her. “I constantly wished for a job that let me remain at home. I never imagined it would be painting, but it turned out that way, and I’m deeply thankful.”
She has always been uninterested in portraits. “Every time I attempt to paint people, I end up discarding the work. Perhaps this stems from a fear of people rooted in my childhood. Experiencing bullying instilled that fear within me. However, when working with nature, things come effortlessly. My spirit leads my hand.” Her paintings feature flowers, scenery, foggy hills, and classic houses.
During extended road trips, Dhakal frequently captures moments in her mind: a misty rainy day, a modest rural home, a meadow filled with blossoms. These images eventually appear on her paintings. “There are no strict guidelines in painting. It’s liberating, and I can create as I wish,” she mentions.
Dhakal respects Samundra Man Singh Shrestha, renowned for his oil-based thangka artworks. She aspires to achieve similar expertise someday. Impressionism captivates her as well. She enjoys keeping brush marks noticeable, combining them with elements of realism. “As humans are flawed, our creations too should reflect imperfections,” she states.
She shares a deep connection with Vincent van Gogh, known for capturing loneliness and sorrow in his work. “Artists are compassionate. They hold not just their own grief, but also the pain of others. For me, painting serves as a means to turn that sorrow into something beautiful.” Despite witnessing injustices like conflicts, hardship, and disparity, her artwork consistently emphasizes the positive aspects of nature.
While not engaged in painting, Dhakal takes care of her garden. “Gardening is calming. It offers me the same tranquility as painting.” Literature also influences her. She has consistently appreciated philosophy and works like ‘Sophie’s World’ and ‘Metamorphosis.’ “Books are similar to art, except they use words instead,” she notes.
She recently sold one of her artwork pieces. Prior to this, she seldom managed to sell her creations. The piece fetched Rs2 million. Nevertheless, she has made up her mind on one point: “I require independence. I can’t produce effectively when someone instructs me to create a specific painting. I have to paint whatever flows spontaneously.”
Dhakal has produced almost a thousand artworks, with numerous ones kept rolled up in a secure area to avoid cluttering the home when shown on canvases. “Creation is part of our purpose. I can’t envision myself doing anything else besides painting,” she mentions.
For individuals hesitant to pursue their dreams, Dhakal offers straightforward guidance: “Find peace through quiet reflection and communicate with the cosmos. This is how I managed difficult periods, and I continue doing so, which led me to where I am today.”
