Today we’d like to introduce you to Kushal Bastakoti.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Art is a kind of an addiction and creation of an artwork is its cure to me. I started my Fine Arts journey from small town of Nepal, Pokhara. I came to Missouri, USA on 2012 to sharpen my knowledge of Fine Arts. The initial struggles of living and fulfilling my dream of being an artist in a foreign land took me to the places like New York, Virginia, Boston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Tucson, Dallas, and more.
My dad he is also an Artist and I believe that I inherited this talent from him. On 2007, late evening my dad got a phone call and his facial expression changed immediately. He seemed to be emotional as well. All of us, including me, my mom and my elder brother got scared. My mom with heavy voice asked him “What happened? And who was on the phone?” My dad proudly replied that it was from my school saying I won 2nd position International Art Competition. My dad, he has always supported me to be who I am today. He is my first and foremost inspiration. I can call myself a proud artist because of all his lessons and hard work.
When I was 13, I won Second Merit International Award which was also a new history in Nepal. Getting an opportunity to participate in an International Level Art Competition and achieving the merit award for the first time in 34 years was a new history in Nepal. This award completely changed my path and my thinking towards Art field. There were around 3 lakhs and 50 thousand contestants from 79 different countries, where the participant from the United States got First Merit Award and I got Second Award representing Nepal. It was a very proud moment for me but I was a little sad that I could not get the first one. This competition and my love for that First Merit Award paved a new path for me. Since that day, I started making more paintings and followed my passion of being an Artist. Later, I won two different International and National Awards in 2009 and 2010, respectively. In 2012, I got an opportunity to come to USA for my further study. Since then I already did 30+ Juried shows, Calling shows, Third shows and also four solo exhibition staying in one series named “Following the Dream”. During my first semester in Missouri University, I won the Fast Cityscape Student Artist Title. I have also achieved few awards in professional levels as well.
I moved to Texas to get more involved in art world. During the same time, I won more than 9 Awards. Also I did some shows as donation. And I really feel lucky to have such skills which bring smiles in people face. I really like color (bright colors).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I didn’t find any smooth road while struggling. I think that struggling phase was really important for everyone. When I look behind, I feel proud of me. Being an immigrant, and also a student of art means a starving guy. You will get lots of challenges on each moves. I remember those days, I didn’t have money to buy canvas and colors that time I used to be in college, I didn’t took any painting classes that time. Painting class need more money to buy stuffs. I sold my first painting in Dallas downtown, he was a random guy. After that, I made strong myself to move on. There are more stories.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Well, I used my websites to sell my paintings. It’s not a big business but this is an easy way. I do my art work in www.fineartamerica.com. Normally people contact me through emails. I already sold painting in more then 10-12 states.
What were you like growing up?
Interest means art to me. And growing means getting better into it. Getting better in the interest mean growing up in art world. I think I am growing slowly in art business.
Pricing:
- One square foot is 1.50$ which means, 24*24 paitning whould cost 864)$.
Contact Info:
- Address: 330 A 39th street,
Richmond, California 94805 - Website: Www.kushalbastakoti.com.np
- Phone: 5732002286
- Email: bastakotikushal.gmail.com / coolman_kushal@yahoo.com
Image Credit:
Kushalarts
Voice of Nepal
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