Vignesh was spending his life living an ordinary existence. He was happy waking up at sharp 6 AM in the morning, reaching the office on time, going to the temple on Sundays and spending his evenings watching TV. But life is a book with many chapters and plot twists.
In 2017, Vignesh developed a medical condition that made it challenging for him to walk due to frequently travelling long distances and standing for several hours a day. As a result, he had to spend at least 30 days in bed. He didn’t want to sit idle and thus engaged himself in different activities which surprisingly ignited his love for painting.
Vignesh began experimenting with different art forms, trying to find the perfect medium to express his creativity. He tried pencil sculptures, fine paintings, three-dimensional paintings, hyperrealistic paintings, and realistic oil paintings, but nothing seemed to quite capture the essence of what he was trying to convey. Then, one day, he stumbled upon the Instagram Page of Michael Papadakis, a painter from California, USA who masters in sunlight wood burning artistry. Vignesh knew what to do next. Although, he was sceptical about this but deep down he knew he can master this art. The more he practised this art form, the more he grasped the essence of it. And then there was no looking back.
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He began creating portraits of people he knew, starting with family and friends. The results were stunning – the lines and shapes burned into the canvas were so precise and detailed that they looked like photographs. But there was something more to them as well, a sense of depth and texture that couldn’t be captured by a camera.
Word of Vignesh’s work began to spread, and soon he earned the title of Asia’s first sunlight Artist. Today, he makes incredibly stunning portraits of celebrities and famous people.
Vignesh’s Favourite Artwork
Vignesh has created many portraits over the years but the one that holds a special place in his heart is Bull And Elephant Sunlight Art. It is inspired by 800 Years Old Elephant and Bull illusion in Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram, Near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Airavatesvara Temple was Built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th Century A.D.
“Usually it takes two to three days to paint on an A4 wooden board but this artwork took me a month to complete due to the hindrances created by the rainy season,” mentions Vignesh.
Beyond its message and symbolism, this artwork is also a testament to the incredible capabilities of solar art as an art form.
The Beauty and Versatility of Sunlight Wood Burning Art
There are many different art forms which are practised around the world but Sunlight wood-burning art stands out as it is a highly detailed and intricate art form that requires a lot of skill and precision. “We artists have to carefully control the temperature and pressure of our tools to ensure that the wood doesn’t burn or get damaged,” says Vignesh.
There are very few artists in the world who are practising this art. Vignesh believes that Sunlight Wood Burning Art has a lot of scope and if youngsters learn this art now, it can make them the talk of the town in the future.
This art form involves a deep understanding of the materials used, the techniques employed, and the vision of the artist. Vignesh opines that it requires a calm and focused mind, a steady hand, and a lot of patience & perseverance to get the desired outcome.
“It is essential to embrace patience and let it guide you on your creative journey, leading to a world of endless possibilities and artistic growth. With the right tools and techniques, it is possible to create stunning and intricate works of art using nothing but the power of the sun, and I am honoured to be a part of this growing movement towards sustainable and environmentally-conscious art,” Vignesh signs off.
