About

Why I Restore Art

Art tells stories, and I see my job as bringing those faded stories back to life. Restoring old paintings isn’t just technical work to me - it’s about showing respect for history and culture. I feel the same about an old portrait as I do about traditions like yakshagana and pilivesha from Tulunadu. Preserving heritage, whether it’s a festival or a painting, matters.

What I Work On

Mostly, I focus on antique paintings, especially oil on canvas. Portraits are my thing - I get how important it is to capture someone’s true spirit, even on a work that’s torn up or discolored. Some of the art I restore is almost a hundred years old - peeling paint, big cracks, faded colors, canvas showing through - I tackle all that.

My Restoration Approach

It’s slow and careful, not some quick fix. I use reference photos, match the original artist’s style, and work one brushstroke at a time. My goal is to keep the khubsurti (beauty) and the character of the painting intact. I’ve restored paintings for places like the Indian Council of Historical Research, so I know how much trust goes into this work.

A Real Example

Recently, I brought a 1935 portrait back from the brink - paint peeling, canvas exposed, face barely visible. After restoration, the colors popped, the cracks disappeared, and the person’s expression was finally visible again.

Where I’m Based

My studio is in Mangalore (kudla) but I work with people from everywhere in India. I’m all about keeping your art safe and making sure it gets a new lease of life.