Top Emerging Artist of 2009 | Suchitra Bhosle

By Norman Koplas

When regarding Suchitra Bhosle’s self-assured oil portraits and figures, which are distinguished by their glowing palette, exquisite brushwork, and relaxed yet perfectly balanced composition, it’s mind-boggling to learn that the 33-year-old artist began her serious fine-art studies less than eight years ago.

RED SCARF, OIL, 16 X 20
RED SCARF, OIL, 16 X 20

Born and raised in Bangalore, India, Bhosle earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a master’s in business administration and was already successful as a corporate marketing strategist when she and her husband, Madhur Kapoor, came to the United States in 2001. Six months after the move, however, Bhosle’s beloved father died back home in India. “He was a hobbyist painter, and growing up we had lovely art books in our home, and I was always taken to the best art shows,” she recalls. “And the moment he passed away was an awakening call for me.”

With Madhur’s support, Bhosle, herself a painting hobbyist, quit work to study art full time, traveling from their Sacramento, CA, home wherever she needed to take workshops with today’s realist masters, including Richard Schmid, Jeremy Lipking, Scott Christensen, and Sherrie McGraw. Within two years, her works were winning her awards, and gallery representation soon followed. Today, still in the early years of a promising career, Bhosle feels she has found her true path. “My father wrote in his diary, ‘Privileged are those who get to do what they love for a living,’” she says, her voice tinged with emotion. “I take this as a spiritual journey, on which I’ve been really blessed.”

She is represented by Meyer Gallery, Santa Fe, NM; 20th St. Art Gallery, Sacramento, CA;
www.suchitrabhosle.com.

Upcoming Show
Group show, 20th St. Art Gallery, April 8-May 30.

Featured in “Top Artists to Watch in 2009” in January 2009