Featured Artist Malathi Jayawickrama

Dramatic blooms burst forth in vibrant detail in artist Malathi Jayawickrama’s masterful oil paintings. Enjoy more of her portfolio by visiting her website.

 

 

I was born and raised in Sri Lanka, surrounded by beautiful water scenes—beaches, waterfalls, lakes and rice fields. These motivated me to try drawing and painting in my early childhood. I remember the excitement when I sold my first small oil painting!

 

 

I came to the US for college but never lost my love for painting and art history. I returned to painting in 2006, after completing my Ph.D. and raising a family. My painting first served as therapy to cope with the tragic death of my brother in Sri Lanka. When I paint, my mind remains in the present moment. When I reflect on how I got back to painting, my thoughts always go back to my brother. I continued to dedicate my free time to artistic study throughout my full-time career spanning 27 years as an economist.

 

 

The beauty of light as it transforms into a fascinating interplay of colors and silhouettes inspires me. I painted landscapes in my early years, but more recently have been drawn to flowers—their vivid colors and delicate textures, and the myriad of interesting shapes and shadows formed by their petals and leaves.

 

 

I love to use light to create larger-than-life images on canvas. I paint in oils and my methods have evolved over time. Whether I’m painting landscapes, seascapes, or florals, I strive to remain true to life and nature. Each of my paintings has its own story to tell.

 

 

I paint from the countless photos I take of subjects that captivate me—at different angles and in light that accentuates shadows. I begin by drawing a grid on the canvas and sketching in proportion. Then I do an underpainting in a monochromatic base layer, usually burnt sienna, to establish values and guide the final colors. After mixing the main colors, I cover the entire canvas and go on to apply several layers of paint until I achieve the colors and textures I want. The shapes, darks and lights, sharp and blurred edges are all key to creating depth and a realistic depiction.

 

 

I have exhibited in the US and abroad, including solo shows at the Strathmore Mansion and the Penn Place Gallery in Maryland. I was an Artist-in-Residence at Chateau d’Orquevaux (2022 and 2024) and at AtelierAir (2023) in France. I’ve been invited back for a solo show in December 2024 at the Penn Place Gallery.

 

 

Painting has always been a deeply personal and fulfilling journey for me. My work is a celebration of nature’s resilience and beauty. Through my paintings, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the often-overlooked details in our surroundings.

 

 

I retired from the World Bank in 2021 and live with my husband in Bethesda, Maryland, and have two adult children. I volunteer at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health, to help share the healing power of art and to allow children to have a creative outlet painting animals.

 

Malathi Jayawickrama invites you to follow on Instagram. 

 

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