Environment is a hot topic in today’s world. Experts say there is a dire need to sensitise children at an early age on the necessity for a cleaner environment and love for nature.
Colourful birds and insects can be used in different ways to attract the attention of young children.
‘Flying Colours’ is a book on butterflies that aims to promote environmental education among children in Qatar.
The recently-launched colouring book will help children identify nature’s jewels in various green locations in Qatar.
The book highlights the diverse nature of butterflies along with their numerous shades and colours which were undefined and not readily available earlier.
The art work for the book has been done by Qatar-based artist Supriya Gaikwad, while Pramod Sahu is author and publisher of the book.
Supriya is an alumnus from the renowned J J School of Fine Arts in India and currently resides in Qatar. She has worked for over a year on the book and on Indian butterflies.
Speaking to Gulf Times, Supriya said: “Qatar is getting more green cover thanks to the aggressive drive initiated by the authorities ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Several parks with more and more plants are being opened in the country. With the green cover increasing, a lot of birds and butterflies have moved in to make the parks and sports stadiums their new home. A number of butterflies can be spotted in the parks and if children had difficulty in naming and describing the beautiful creatures in the past, not anymore.”
Speaking about ‘Flying Colours’ that has listed 21 species of butterflies, the artist said: “The book encourages and engages children to know more about Mother Nature. It envisages learning through colouring while rejuvenating the wholeness of the mind.
“The book gives an extensive reach at the diverse nature of butterflies along with numerous shades and colours which were undefined and not readily available earlier,” the artists said. “The book contains precise description of the butterflies, facts and findings besides a page for anatomy. The book, besides having a picture of the butterflies, has a drawing of the butterflies which children can paint with the right colours.”
Supriya added that the art work is based on the concept of reading, identifying and encouraging children to colour and explore the beautiful creation.
A qualified artist, Supriya grew up immersed in colours. The landscape outside her house in Mumbai was one which every artist dreams of and draws inspiration from. “It was then and there as a child of four years I took a fascination for arts and decided I would be an artist. I got a lot of help and inspiration from my mother who was an art teacher in a school.”
“The multitude of colours, the plants and animals left a deep impression on me which has since taken various shapes and sizes over the years in various forms of art as I dabble in pencil, charcoal, oil painting, water, acrylic, dry pestle, print on zink, lino, wood, lithograph, acrylic sheet and screen painting,” she said.
A woman of few words Supriya prefers to let her drawing speak for her art. “An artist’s work gives an insight into what message he or she wants to convey to the larger audience. A painting speaks for the artist, sometimes an artist need not speak but the art speaks for them.”
Supriya is keen to pass on her art to the next generation of artists. She is interested to pass on her skills and expertise to some of the keen learners from Qatar. “I have trained school students and also adults to draw. For younger children I trained them in two-dimensional drawing. I asked them to be creative and use their imagination.”
She added: “Art develops the observational skills of children and whatever they come across they try to draw. It helps them to build up their memory. Their hidden talents are translated into amazing art of various forms and shapes. I give them some ideas and concepts and encourage them to think, visualise and put it down on paper.”