Today we’d like to introduce you to Rajendra KC.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey as an artist began when I was a child growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal. I discovered my passion for painting around the seventh grade, when my interest and talent for art really began to develop. I took basic painting courses at the Sirjana Contemporary Art Gallery in Kathmandu, but much of my growth as an artist came through years of self-study, practice, and experimentation. Over time, I developed my own watercolor techniques and a style inspired heavily by nature and the world around me.
I lived in Kathmandu for about 35 years and worked for the government during the week. On weekends, I would travel to different parts of Nepal to paint. Nepal has an incredible variety of landscapes, villages, mountains, architecture, and people, and I loved painting directly from nature and capturing the places and everyday scenes I encountered. These experiences played a major role in shaping me as a plein air artist.
Eventually, I moved to the United States with my family and settled in Falls Church, Virginia, where I now have my studio. Moving to a new country was a major change in my life, but art remained a constant and also became a way for me to connect with my new community.
Today, in addition to creating and exhibiting my own artwork, teaching has become an important part of my life as an artist. I teach painting classes through Falls Church Arts, The Arts of Great Falls, Vienna Arts Society, Art House Seven, and Compass Art Center. I enjoy sharing the techniques and experiences I have developed over the years with students of different backgrounds and skill levels. During the season, I also enjoy painting live on Saturday mornings at the Falls Church Farmers Market, where I can paint outdoors and interact directly with the local community.
Watercolor remains my primary medium, especially for plein air painting, although I also enjoy working with oils and acrylics. Over the years, I have been fortunate to receive recognition and awards for my work, and my paintings have found homes in private collections throughout Nepal, the United States, Canada, India, China, and several European countries.
When I look back, my journey has taken me from a young student discovering painting in Kathmandu to building a life as a professional artist and painting instructor in Virginia. Through all of those changes, my passion has remained the same: observing the world around me, capturing its beauty through painting, and sharing what I have learned with others.
My artwork, awards, upcoming classes, and other information about my work can be found on my website, kcfineart.net.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges came when I moved from Nepal to the United States with my wife and two young children. Starting over in a new country was difficult, and my first priority was supporting my family and adjusting to a completely new environment. I worked full-time and continued painting whenever I could.
At the same time, I was unsure whether my artwork and style would be accepted here. I remember painting quietly at Great Falls National Park, sometimes away from the crowds, until people began discovering my work and showing genuine interest in what I was creating. Those experiences gave me confidence to pursue my passion more seriously.
Becoming part of Falls Church Arts was an important turning point because it gave me opportunities to exhibit my work and connect with the local community. Over time, through hard work, persistence, and many years of painting, I was able to build a reputation as an artist and eventually an instructor.
My experience has taught me that success does not happen overnight. Starting over in a new country while supporting a family and pursuing a passion was challenging, but being persistent and continuing to put my work in front of people helped me get to where I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am primarily a watercolor artist specializing in landscapes and plein air painting. I love painting directly from nature and capturing the light, atmosphere, and feeling of a place. Over the years, I have developed my own watercolor techniques and style, although I also work with oils and acrylics.
I am proud that my work has received numerous awards and is part of private collections around the world. Teaching is also an important part of my career, and I currently teach painting at several art organizations throughout Northern Virginia. What sets my work apart is my dedication to painting from life and using watercolor to capture the beauty and mood of nature.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone starting out is to find what truly inspires you and continue practicing. For me, that inspiration has always been nature. Growing up in beautiful Nepal, surrounded by mountains, green valleys, rivers, and changing landscapes, helped me discover my passion for painting.
Nature became my greatest teacher. I learned by observing, painting, experimenting, and developing my own style over time. I would encourage young artists not to worry too much about finding success right away. Be patient, work hard, spend time with what inspires you, and allow your own style to develop naturally.
Pricing:
- Painting Classes: $250–$350 per session (5 classes, approximately 12 hours total)
- Original Paintings: $500–$3,000, depending on size and artwork
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kcfineart.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajendrakc_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcrajendra
Image Credits
Title of paintings:
1: Annapolis
2: Annapolis Circle
3: Morning Light on Waterfall, Great Falls
4: Daylight, Floyd County
5: Stormy Clouds, Floyd County
6: Great Falls
7: Driveway to Farmhouse, Cumberland
8: Key Bridge, Maryland
All paintings were painted in pleinair (outdoor)
