Speed ’n’ style: speed painter Vilas Nayak
If you thought paintings were created in dingy studios over days of solitary confinement, think again.
There is a man on stage with a canvas before him. He looks young and vulnerable, prepared to goof up big time in front of hundreds of people sitting in the auditorium. The music starts and he dips his brush in the paint bucket. He moves in high speed like in one of those Charlie Chaplin movies, as patches of colours start taking shape on the canvas. Nobody smiles. They’re gripped at the process of creation right in front of their eyes. And BAM! in only a few minutes a painting stands ready to be auctioned for art connoisseurs.
Vilas Nayak, a former HR professional with an MNC decided to finally give up the mundane and follow his heart by becoming a full time performance painter. Rest, from the horse’s mouth...
How would you describe what you do?
I just call it Hues and Tunes! Because it’s the dance of colours to the tunes of music.
When did you start painting? How did speed painting happen to you?
I started painting at the age of three. Whatever I do is practically by trial and error method, because I didn’t learn it from any school of art. Very interestingly, when I was in school one of the judges came late and asked us to complete the sketch in five minutes. I got the first place in that competition and realised I could sketch really fast. My first live, on-stage performance was in 2004 during college days. I have worked hard from then onward to improve accuracy and speed.
What is the relevance of music, other than giving a cool effect on the stage?
Music gives me inspiration! Apart from the fact that it gives a cool effect, it also boosts the energy in the audience and adds a meaning to the painting. For instance, if I am painting a picture of Mother Teresa, which talks about helping people in need, I would play Michael Jackson’s Heal the World.
Have you tried your hands on abstract art?
I have, in fact, a couple of times. But I realised it’s not my cup of tea. I like art that can communicate with the common man. I like shapes and tones that communicate feelings, and the beautiful expressions on a face that can touch our hearts.
Who’s been your inspiration?
Denny Dent and BKS Verma are my greatest inspirations, specifically for speed painting. I am also inspired by personalities who are from other fields - Sachin, SP Balasubramaniam, Michael Jackson. For me their enormity of talent, hard work and humility inspire me to do something big in life.
Which is your medium of choice? Have you ever mixed two or more media?
Currently my medium of choice is acrylics because I like to work fast even at my studio. It dries fast and is vibrant. I have created art works using pen and water colours or acrylics and colour pencils. We can go on experimenting!
You need to be really confident to actually paint live in front of people and camera. After how many years of solo practice did you give your first ‘performance’?
It’s strange but my first solo performance in 2004 (during college days) was straight on stage, without any practice! I had used a small paper to create an art work in 15 minutes. Today I can paint on a 5-feet canvas sometimes in less than two and a half minutes! I have created live art works of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, and many more, when they were present with me right on the stage. It’s indeed a huge challenge to complete a painting in less than four to five minutes, entertain the audience and yet make sure it’s accurate and does look like the one who is present there. Obviously it takes lot of guts to go on stage and paint when the audience is watching you.
What is the fastest that you’ve finished a painting in?
I created Gabbar Singh on India’s Got Talent on Colors TV and Heath Ledger (Joker) on AXN Asia’s Got Talent. Both of these works were created in just 150 seconds!
Which is your biggest painting, dimension-wise?
A 10x6-feet painting in less than eight minutes.
Is this your full time occupation now? What else do/did you do?
I worked in the HR for an MNC in Bengaluru. It was a secure and well paying job but then I had a constant feeling that I am not using my talent at all. I believe it’s futile to think about a permanent job in this very temporary world and hence I took a risk to quit my job and take on art full time. Today I am the leading speed painter in Asia. It’s been close to four years now, I have done over 300 shows in 12 countries. Following my passion has been the best decision of my life.
What is your academic qualification?
I have done Master of Social Work from Mysore University and PGDHRM. I was a rank holder for Mangalore and Mysore Universities in academics.
How difficult/easy is it to find buyers for your paintings? What is the most expensive that you’ve sold anything for?
Thanks God I don’t find it difficult to find buyers! In fact, I get regular inquires.The highest so far has been Rs 4 lakhs for a painting.
What is the scope for a speed painter? Where does he perform traditionally? Is India a good market for that?
The scope for a speed painter is unlimited depending on how versatile he is. I have performed at various events like television shows, fashion shows, private functions, charity events to raise funds, college fests, rock and music festivals, corporate shows, product launches, etc. India is certainly the best market for me right now. It is such a vast country and the event market is growing bigger by the day.
Do you have a studio to which people have access? Would you like to share your talent with other people?
As of now I have a studio at my Bengaluru residence; however I have not been able to concentrate much on fine art due to the extensive travelling I have to do for shows. Lot of youngsters keep messaging me on Facebook asking for tips to start speed painting. I try my best to reply to their queries. However, in future I would love to start an art school to encourage more youngsters.
Future plans?
My plan is to travel the world and perform in every nook and cranny of the world. Art can travel beyond language barriers and I really want to reach out to more people and touch their hearts. In the days to come I want to dedicate more time to fine art and, at the same time, innovate new techniques in speed painting that will produce never-seen-before visuals and experiences for the audience.
From the July 2015 issue of FHM India.
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