Greetings!
My name is Raju Lamichhane. I was born in a beautiful and remote village to a traditional Nepali family. I started my artistic creativity as we played with mud and sand and made our own toys from stone and wood. Even in student life my passion for art took me away from science and technology and pushed me to the fine arts school where I completed my bachelor degree in fine art.
I spent almost half of my life in this field. The awards and recognition I received for my artwork have always motivated me to continue working on this field. I won’t hesitate to say that my professional life in commercial art had made a satisfactory life for my family. But I wasn’t that satisfied with my own work and a sort of anxiousness was hidden within me. When I evaluate my earlier works I feel like I was doing something opposite to my feelings. I used to make art work for other people. When I was at school, I did what my art teachers taught in class. After finishing my college degree, I needed a job and focused on what an employer would want. When I got a job I did what my boss requested. Even during my leisure time I made art work that art galleries and art buyers would want to buy. I never did what I really loved to do.
In 2005, I moved to the United States. Everything changed and my life took another shape. It was very challenging to settle down in a different country. I felt some difficulty in converting my art from eastern style to American style. In the meantime I started creating art without restrictions. I started using some materials typically thrown out, such as used newsprint, junk mail, plant and tree leaves, onion and garlic peels, and even used plastic bottles in my art work. After a few years of practice, I found unique beauty, a different means of expression and deep harmony. Nowadays, I don’t use any additional colors and inks. I just pick whatever I find around me. First I make the elements in suitable sizes and shapes and then glue and paste them onto an art board. It is also a unique way to reuse otherwise wasted things. In this way, when wasted things turn into a beautiful art piece, it brings me a complete pleasure which I can’t express in words. I feel like I am giving a new life to dead things. Now I can feel how freedom works in art creation. I have no restriction in expressing my feeling on art. I can explore arts glory. I am much more satisfied with my present work.
Since 2008, I often exhibit my artwork in galleries, environment related fairs and shows. People started loving my artwork and I have received a lot of positive response. I hope people see my artwork and realize that they themselves can reuse wasted things in creating art.
I learned fine art a different way, where the presentation did not express my feelings so well. Now I am free to create what I love and comfortable to express what I feel. I know that art is never done and I will continue to try to improve.
Here are few images of my latest artwork which I want to share with you.
1.Title: Dancing Ganesha
Ganesha (or Ganesh) is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. He is known as the god of wisdom, prudence and salvation. Ga means knowledge, na means salvation, and isa means Lord. Ganesh is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles. People honor Ganesh before beginning any venture to ask for Siddhi – success in undertakings, and Buddhi – intelligence. Ganesh is also the deity of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature and the fine arts. In mythology, his elephant head symbolizes devotion, patience and truth. His corpulent figure conveys prosperity; he rides on a mouse, signifying the unity of the small with the large.
Size: 22"X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
2. Title: Mother and Child
This is my first work in collage using no paint and ink. In 2008 I received a phone call from Nepal where my parents live. I was told that my mother had a serious heart problem. For the first time, I felt how hard it is to be far away from my parents, and I thought a lot about motherhood. During the period of her treatment I often dreamed about my childhood with my Mom. This is what I have tried to express in this work. Thankfully, the doctors were able to save her life and she is now fine.
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
3. Title: Plant on Vase
Diane, a lady who I had met in a restaurant, has been helping my family as a parent. She gave us this plant as a present. My son and daughter love her and her present very much and requested that I make this picture.
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
4. Title: Minneapolis
A panorama of the beautiful downtown Minneapolis skyline from University Avenue in northeast Minneapolis. I have made this from a photograph which was provided by Deependra Adhikari, the person who had invited my family to Minnesota and arranged our settlement. This piece was selected for display in the 98th Annual Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition 2009.
Size: 22"X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
5. Title: An Old man with Coffee
I was recently in a coffee shop with my family. We were seated in a corner seat, where I could see an old man who was having coffee. I perceived him to be enjoying his coffee and remembering his past. I don't know how my family thought about him, but my mind began to think about how one day I may be in his seat, and how we may all face the same age and situation.
Size: 22"X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
6. Title: Mona Lisa
Size: 22"X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
7. Title: An Old lady
On a cold winter night, I was returning home from work. I saw an old lady on the road near by Penn Avenue and Lowry in northeast Minneapolis. It was almost eleven o’clock at night. She might be waiting. When I reached home and went to the bed, many questions came to my mind: who was she? why was she there? is she homeless? I could not sleep well. Her face is still in my mind. When I cross the same intersection I still think of her.
Size: 22"X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
8. Title: Mountain Life
Nepal is a mountainous country. The lives of people in mountainous lands are harder than those who live in other places because of geographic impediments, untillable land, lack of education, and unavailability of technology and infrastructure. In this work I am trying to represent daily life of Nepali people who live in high mountain areas.
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
9. Title: Composition - SOLD
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
10. Title: Composition 2
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn Newsprint
11. Title: A Tree - SOLD
Size: 22" X 28"
Media: Torn print
Here are few images of my artwork using some materials typically thrown out.
Plastic bottles
Leaves
Used Matches
Onion and garlic peels
My wife Punya (Punam) is also trained in this skill and she is helping me as third hand. Her skill in creating greeting cards and bird art is wonderful. Every day she makes 5-6 different birds in this newsprint medium. Nowadays we are preparing for upcoming summer shows and fairs. This summer we are going to show our Minnesota birds made from newsprint and junk mail. My next exhibit will be at the Living Green Expo 2010 which is going to be held at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, May 1st and 2nd, 2010. I hope people will love our new artwork.
Here are few of Punam's birds in newsprint which I want to share.
Pair of Chickadees- Sold - 11"X14", Used newsprint and junk mail
Bluejay - 8"X10", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Pair of Cardinals- 11"X14", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Woodpecker- 11"X14", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Pair of Lovebirds- 11"X14", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Pair of Swans- 11"X14", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Parrot- 11"X14", Torn newsprint and junk mail
Thank you very much for your visit. I express my gratitude to all who love my artwork and encourage me to continue my skill. I thank Jill and Bill, Directors of Plant Extracts International Inc. who are inspiring me to pursue it as a profession and have supported me from the beginning. Dear all helping hands, your love and blessing will always push me to do the best in the future.
Thank you!
If you have any questions regarding my artwork simply contact me. I always welcome your comments and suggestions.
Raju Lamichhane
P.O. Box 45
Hopkins Minnesota 55343
Cell: 612-876-2093
Email: raju.lamichhane@gmail.com
Thank you for your visit.
©2010 Raju’s Arts
