Daijiworld Media Network
Dubai, Feb 25: Painting is silent poetry, said Plutarch. Silent indeed and yet expressive, emotive and moving, paintings don't just grace walls but add to the beauty of their surroundings. Thought provoking too in many ways, paintings emulate life and in some cases transcend the fine line between reality and imagination. This perhaps forms the essence of the works of art created by Mangalorean artist Oliver Machado, who is based in Dubai.
The use of vibrant strokes and kaleidoscopic hues to capture Mother Nature's versatility on canvas are the hallmark of Oliver Machado's work. Oliver lives the belief that painting helps a person enjoy life to its lees and that it is a hobby that enriches the soul of anyone who takes it up with passion.
Born in 1960 to Indian Air Force officer (the late) Salvadore Machado from Karkala and Benedicta nee Martis of Malpe, Oliver spent his primary schooling years in convent schools in Gorakhpur and Kanpur. With his entire family supporting his artistic bent of mind, Oliver molded himself into an artist of excellence. He is a self-taught artist who dedicated endless hours to drawing, painting and learning more about his chosen art form.
His family settled down in Udupi in 1973 and Oliver went to high school and college in Mangalore and Udupi. A science graduate from Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) college Udupi, Oliver has lived and worked in Dubai since 1986. During this time he has been associated with numerous art exhibitions that were happening, alongside the exhibitions that he was a part of as a sales manager of the Yamaha Musical Instruments. These frequent run-ins with art in its myriad forms further attracted him to the art form of painting.
Oliver fueled his ardor for painting by learning and implementing various invaluable nuggets that he gathered while attending these various art exhibitions. He employs a combination of bold stroked, soul-stirring light and attention to intricate details in order to breathe life into a painting.
Oliver's creative senses were not restricted to the brush and canvas alone. He had his own band named "Stone Age" and they expertly belted out melodies for many an important event. They were even called to perform at weddings, wherein along with singing Oliver played the keyboard too.
His advice to budding artists - Pay specific attention to light before dipping their brush in paint because light helps bring forth the colours in an image. Make wise use of colour in order to make a painting more appealing. He staunchly recommends the use of good quality Gesso to prime a canvas prior to painting and also suggests the use of Titanium white instead of plain white color. While Phtalo Green and Phtalo Blue need to used sparingly and very carefully, Oliver also advises the blending of black with another color rather than using it on its own.
Married and father of three children, Oliver continues to hone his creative skills with unbridled passion even today. His elder brother Dr Norman Machado is a renowned surgeon and professor based in Muscat, while his younger brother Oswald Machado is an engineer and businessman based in Dubai. "Both my brothers have been very supportive and have encouraged my talent as an artist," says Oliver.
Those interested in owning a work of art by Oliver Machado may contact him by email: omachado24@gmail.com.