Today we’d like to introduce you to Anup Bhandari.
Anup, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m originally from Nepal. Back home I was accepted to the best school in the country, Budhanilkantha School, in the fourth grade. It was a boarding school run by the British government at the time. There was an entrance exam, but they chose students from every background and area of the country from the poorest families to the Royals. Everyone was considered equal once you entered school. We all ate the same food and wore the same clothes, and it went so far as everyone was called by only their first name or roll ID number to avoid class clash.
The school grounds were huge with beautiful scenery, and we had all kinds of sports and activities. I was not a bright student, but I was always interested in art. After that, I came to the United States for my higher education at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. That’s when I started getting more focused on art and started developing my artistic skills.
When I first came to the United States, I was homesick. I didn’t know anyone when I moved to Kilgore. Slowly I started getting used to it, and now I have so many friends, and most of them are like family. I never ended up leaving Kilgore. I’m still there today.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I primarily enjoy doing abstract art, but I paint realistic paintings sometimes. I work with different techniques. I like to use texture in my paintings, including string methods. I build up several layers before I start the real painting. That gives great depth to them.
About nine years ago I started volunteering at a day homeless shelter in Longview, Texas called Newgate Mission. I go teach art once a week and show their work in the community through special events like an Artwalk. They sell their work, and the money is split 50/50 between the artists and the mission. It’s been an eye-opening experience for me. I have become friends with so many wonderful people there. Last year I started painting portraits of people that I befriended at Newgate Mission, and they hand wrote their stories of who they are. A few months ago a book with the portraits and handwritten stories was published. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my friend Newgate Mission Board President Kristi Bogle, Newgate Mission Executive Director Hollie Bruce, all of the wonderful Newgate Mission staff and very generous sponsor who contributed. All the proceeds from the book sale will benefit Newgate Mission. This is the website for the book: THE FACES OF NEWGATE
Define success as an artist.
I love what I’m doing that is creating art. It’s not that I have to sell my work to become a successful Artist. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of people being an Artist. If I can do that, I see that as success.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work can be seen in my personal FB page under my name. I also have 3 of my work in the permanent collection at Longview Museum Of Fine Arts in Longview TX and around East Texas at several Restaurants. Edom Art Emporium in Edom, TX and P’s Gallery in Longview TX is currently representing my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.facesofnewgate.com
- Email: anupastha@yahoo.com
Local artist Anup Bhandari works on a portrait from his “Faces of Newgate” series Monday, June 25, 2018, in his Kilgore apartment. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)
Image Credit:
ORufus Lovett
Les Hassell
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MaryJean Davis
April 24, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Anup has humbled many East Texans with his honest approach to helping the less fortunate and his ability to connect to so many people across the spectrum. I am so glad to see this article about him and his mission to help others through his art.
Karen
April 25, 2019 at 1:17 am
Recently had the opportunity to work st Newgate mission and saw all those portraits you had painted. They were so good. I’m sure you made each of those people feel very special as you put them on canvas. I also remember that you did a blanket campaign one winter for the homeless. We need more people like you in the world.
Paul Anderson
April 25, 2019 at 4:56 pm
I consider myself fortunate to have a friendship with Anup. He is a man who lives an unvarnished and transparent life. As an artist he is superbly gifted. As a person he is humble and genuine with a large heart. Thank you for this article.