Painting is one of the oldest and most expressive forms of art, offering people a way to communicate ideas, emotions, memories, and perspectives through colour, texture, shape, and composition. Unlike words, a painting does not always need to tell a clear story or provide a definite answer. Sometimes, its meaning can simply come from the way it makes someone feel.

Over time, painting has developed into countless styles and forms, from realistic portraits and landscapes to abstract and experimental works. Artists often use different colours, techniques, and materials to create their own visual language. Some paintings are carefully planned, while others develop naturally as the artist experiments with the canvas.

What makes painting especially interesting is its ability to be both personal and open to interpretation. The same artwork can mean completely different things to different people, depending on their experiences and emotions. For many artists, painting is also a way to slow down, explore their imagination, and observe the world differently.

In order to capture the magic of painting, Anya Fernando’s upcoming exhibition, ‘Electric Resonance,’ invites audiences to experience a vibrant exploration of energy, emotion, and contemporary artistic expression.

The Daily Morning Brunch spoke to Fernando on the life and work of a young painter.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Tell us yourself and how you got into painting?

I’m 15 and I study at St. Bridget’s Convent. I’ve always been into a lot of different things, especially sports – I play football, dive, do long-distance running, and occasionally go rock climbing and hiking. Painting started as another way for me to be creative and switch off from everything else. I never really planned for it to become a huge thing; I attended classes by Rhuani Rambukwelle and just enjoyed experimenting with it, and eventually it turned into something I wanted to share with other people.

What art styles are you fond of and do you explore any themes in your work?

I don’t think I have one specific style because I like trying different things. I’m drawn to colour, interesting compositions and paintings that have a certain feeling without needing to explain everything. A lot of my work is inspired by nature, people, and random things I find visually interesting. I like leaving some room for whoever is looking at the painting to interpret it in their own way.

Could you tell us a bit about your upcoming exhibition?

The exhibition is basically a collection of pieces that show how I’ve been experimenting and developing my style. There’s quite a mix of ideas, colours and subjects, rather than everything looking exactly the same. I wanted it to feel fun and interesting to walk through, and hopefully people will find at least one piece that they connect with.

What subjects do you like to explore with your paintings?

I don’t think I have one specific theme that I stick to. I mostly paint things that catch my attention – nature, colour, people, and different moods. I like experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me rather than trying to make every painting fit into one particular meaning. So I’d say my work is more about exploring and having fun with different ideas.

Can you tell us about the different techniques you use?

I don’t really stick to one technique when I paint. I like mixing things up with blending, layering, different brush strokes and playing around with texture. Sometimes I’ll work with really bold colours and loose strokes, and other times I’ll add more detail and build things up slowly. I don’t have a set process either – I usually start with an idea and just see where it goes. I’ll change things, experiment and sometimes completely rework a part if I’m not feeling it. I think the freedom to just try things and not worry too much about making everything perfect is what makes painting fun for me.

Would you like to pursue art as a career when you grow up?

Probably not as my main career. I’m more interested in fields like biology and law, so I can see myself going in a completely different direction professionally. I still want art to be something I keep doing because I genuinely enjoy it, though. I don’t think something has to be your career for it to be an important part of your life.

Any advice for aspiring young artists?

Don’t worry too much about trying to have a perfect style straight away. Experiment, make things you actually like, and don’t be afraid of making something that looks terrible – that’s usually how you figure out what works. And honestly, I have interests outside of art too. Experiences, sports, travelling, being outdoors and just living your life can give you a lot more to put into your work.

Anya Fernando’s ‘Electric Resonance,’ is open for viewing at Gallery FourLife, Colombo 5 on 22 and 23 August and can be viewed between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.