Goa is inspirational. The solace you find at her shores, the comfort and warmth you find around the locals, and the energy you witness at her celebrations, isn’t just a breath of fresh air for travellers, it’s also a place that allows imaginations to flow.
Nurturing creativity, Goa has gone on to inspire artists, too. Among them is Rohit Chari from the village of Loutolim, in South Goa.
“Goa influences my work when it comes to projects like murals, especially for restaurants, where the Goan theme is a central focus,” shares Rohit, describing his love for murals and illustrations.
Although his primary work focuses on illustrations, he specialises in different mediums and engages in a variety of projects, right from caricatures to wall murals, storybook illustrations, logos, branding and more. He even draws inspiration from movies and other artists.
“One of my favourite projects is a series of Goan-origin characters depicting their professions. It's a well-loved piece that has even been copied by others, which is why I plan to copyright it soon,” informs the artist, who also has the flair to perfectly capture the essence and personality of Bollywood actors in his caricatures.
While art has always been his passion, his artistic journey started during his school days.
“Ever since my school days, I’ve been involved in creative activities. My interest grew over the years, and eventually, I decided to turn my hobby into a full-time profession,” says Rohit, a proud alumni of the Goa College of Art, Panjim.
Pre-COVID, he had organised exhibitions with his group. Currently, he also undertakes commissioned pieces, particularly murals, caricatures and other illustration-related work. And in recent times, has become synonymous with the name ‘Red Canvas’.
The term, according to him embodies his artistic spirit and personal identity.
“The colour red, drawn from the meaning of ‘Rohit’, symbolises strength, passion and intensity — qualities that resonate deeply with my spirit. ‘Canvas’, on the other hand, represents the boundless space where thoughts, emotions and visions transform into tangible masterpieces,” the artist explains.
Further, the initials R and C add a personal touch intertwining art and self. Every stroke reflects his journey, emotions and the world around him.
Despite his success, Rohit faces challenges common to many artists. “People often don't take artists seriously,” he says.
“We’ve studied art for several years, just like engineers or doctors, we deserve to be respected as professionals. Unfortunately, people often expect free work or try to bargain, which is disheartening. Many still see art as a hobby or side job, not a profession,” adds Rohit.
Apart from the need to promote oneself today, Rohit advises aspiring artists saying, “Focus on honing your skills before seeking commissioned work. Excellence comes first; earning will follow if you focus on your craft.”
You can connect with Rohit Chari, aka Red Canvas, or check out his work on
INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @redcanvasstudio
BEHANCE: www.behance.net/Creativeroh
E-MAIL: redcanvas2016@gmail.com