Kamala Chandrasekhar is a lifelong artist and oil painter! Read her inspiring story below!

After earning a liberal arts degree with a major in oil painting in Chennai, India, she participated in several art shows and did commissioned work. After immigrating to the US in her 30’s, she gave up painting to get a job to support the newly immigrated family. Many years later, her daughter encouraged her to pick up the paintbrush and start painting again. Her recent large scale painting of Yosemite National Park, is the result! 

While the painting was inspired from her daughter’s work as a photographer, it proved to Kamala, she still had what it takes! The painting is currently part of her daughter’s private collection. But the story doesn’t end here.

Kamala, at the age of 73, was recently invited by Yosemite National Park to display some of her art work at the Yosemite Museum’s Gallery during the Obata Art Weekend in September, 2024! She is also the first Indian artist to have her works displayed at the gallery, a tremendous achievement as a woman of color. During the Obata art weekend, she gave a 4 hour demo workshop in the national park of the iconic lower and upper Yosemite Falls to art students (see photos below). These works of art and others, can be seen below. When asked what inspires her, she said she draws her inspiration from nature’s beauty. Her story is proof that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and age is truly just a number. If you’d like to support her work, please take a look at some of her pieces that are currently available for sale. With Gratitude – Preethi.