Bela Ravikumar has earned a reputation as a stellar and well-followed artist in Santa Cruz County, but her latest show at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center in Ben Lomond is the cherry on top for this prolific painter.
Ravikumar enjoys capturing the natural beauty of our surroundings, from ocean views to red leaves discarded by trees in the fall. She is able to find beauty and meaning in the various landscapes that surround us all.
Her work has embraced a wide range of mediums, each chosen for the distinct way it captures mood, movement and light. From the delicate transparency of watercolor to the layered vibrancy of serigraphs, from the fine etchings of intaglio prints to the intricate precision of pen-and-ink drawings, from the expressive strokes of acrylic paintings to the candid lens of photography—each form has offered Ravikumar a unique avenue to interpret nature’s complexity and beauty.
The artist’s early career unfolded in India, where she spent days in quiet studio reflection, translating memories of travel into imagined landscapes. A later move to California’s Central Coast opened an entirely new chapter.
Immersed in the region’s stunning landscapes, Ravikumar found endless inspiration in its majestic native trees, golden meadows, patchwork farmlands, expansive skies, rolling hills and vast ocean horizons. The interplay of light and the serenity of the coastal environment became enduring themes, consistently woven into their work.
The concept of light is a practical matter in Ravikumar’s work.
“The light in India is very different from the light in Montana, which is different than the light in California,” she said. “I find it fascinating to capture and interpret that light using different mediums.”
Over the past three decades, Ravikumar has exhibited widely in galleries throughout Santa Cruz, while continuing to maintain a presence in India, where exhibitions have been held regularly since the 1970s. Her work has become a bridge between two places, united by a single muse: the natural world.
“It is a privilege to experience and portray these interactions through art,” said Ravikumar, reflecting on the process. “I feel very fortunate to be in this creative journey and grateful for the opportunity.”
Now, audiences are invited to experience a glimpse of nature through the artist’s perspective at her show in Ben Lomond at the Santa Cruz Mountains Art Center, 9341 Mill St. Ravikumar’s final show run is Sept. 18-21.For more information on the Art Center, visit mountainartcenter.org; to learn more about the artist, go to belagallery.com.
