Name: Rama Samaraweera (most people call me Sam).
Where do you work?
I work in a studio in my home in Llanfyllin where my wife and I have lived very happily since 1972.
How would you describe your work?
I paint in oils and acrylics, and I also do a lot of silk screens and wood engraving. For years, I painted animals - elephants, tigers, leopards etc. I could draw an elephant blindfolded but I like to change. This is 2005 and I think whatever an artist produces should reflect its time. My latest work, 'City Girls', uses abstract backgrounds with very up-to-date figures - streetwise characters, wearing street fashion as I see it.
How did you get started as an artist?
I've being drawing animals since I was a child but I didn't become a professional artist until I was 44. I was in the First Airborne division in the Second World War and I do think that being in the army retarded me as an artist. After leaving the forces in 1947-48, I worked in various jobs - in offices and factories.
When I was about 32, I was invited to join a group of artists who used to meet in Handsworth. I'd done a painting of a friend playing a trombone and I took it along with me. The tutor told me I was a natural artist. He was a surrealist painter and I did a seven year apprenticeship with him. He taught me how to appreciate great paintings - from Pablo Picasso to Shirley Spencer. We parted when I decided I wanted to concentrate on painting animals.
Now I'd always said that I was going to paint animals but you don't learn that at art school. I decided I needed to work with animals so I wrote to Dudley Zoo and two weeks later I started as a keeper, looking after two tigers, five leopards, three cheetahs, two polar bears, two giraffes. I got the sack because the manager said I spent more time drawing the tigers than looking after them!
I then did an occupational training course in Birmingham which said I was suited for work either as an animator or an art teacher so I went to Teachers' Training College when I was 39, even though I had no other qualification apart from being top in art in school. I ended up with 11 distinctions and became a teacher. I taught at a local junior school where I met my wife Sue.
Three of my animal designs were sold as Christmas cards and by chance, one of these was sent as a greeting card to John Solomon, who managed the wildlife artist David Shepherd. In 1972, he turned up at my studio in Handsworth in a big Jaguar. He said David Shepherd had just signed a contract with a Bond Street Gallery and he was looking for another painter. He liked my work and that was it. John Solomon released me from teaching to become a professional artist.
My first exhibition was in 1972, in a gallery near St Paul's cathedral in London. Five of the paintings at that exhibition were turned into prints and one of them - of a leopard cub - has sold more than 200,000 copies over a 20 year period.
Where has your work been shown?
Galleries in London and Welshpool.
Do you have a website?
www.samaraweera.co.uk
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Paintings by Rama Samaraweera...
your comments
lee Smith Fla
I'm over the top with Joy!!!. About 25 years ago I purchased The Lioness and Cubat a Estate Sale its covered in vinly . It appears to have a tree no leafs and the ground of the are both in charcoal, The lioness in resting with her eye closed, and the cub sits full face next to her. You can even see the baby spots and if you star deep in the piece the hair seems to move.I would like to have it insured for my son.Can you help me Thanks in advance..
Fri Nov 20 09:21:35 2009
Sue Wilde Somerset
I was given a signed print of leopard cub in a tree a long timed ago and wondered if it has any value now...thanks to anyone who can help.
Sun Jul 26 09:04:50 2009
Judy Gill from Maryland
Recently at an Estate Sale, I purchased a Samaraweera piece of a mother leopard with a cub licking it's paw. The mother is backed upto a tree branch that appears to never have been completed (pencil or charcoal drew the tree outline) Any idea of when this was done and it's value? Thank you!
Mon Jul 20 20:18:31 2009
Richard Hunt
Ive just returned home with 6 full colour Rama Samaraweera's limted edition framed woodprints of woodland animals and birds from a charity shop in Llandudno. They are just super and at a tenner for all six they have made my day. It would be interesting to know their real value.
Wed Jun 17 10:08:45 2009
Sandra & Ken Larden, Sutton Coldfield
Sam, please contact us. We have one of your early works that you gave us as a wedding gift in 1968, also a set of scraperboard pictures. We wouldn't part with them for the world. We would dearly love to see you again, we have spoken of you many times over the years and tried to contact you via an art gallery in Birmingham some years ago.
Sun Jun 7 21:23:04 2009
G Cave, Leicestershire
I have recently acquired a hand painted limited edition wood block print of Autumn Hedge hog......its just lovely.....is it of value....thankyou.
Sun May 3 19:26:39 2009
David Salter, Lichfield
Hi. I'm so glad to have found this website. I have an early (around 1970) 24"x18" painting of a tiger cub prowling out of a charcoal background. The detail is astounding, you feel as though you could stroke the hair. In the 1970's Samaraweera lived in a flat in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, England and used to come into my fathers hardware shop to obtain off-cuts of hardboard which he would paint on. As a thank you to my father Sam' gave him this paintings. My father sadly passed away in 1977 and my mother died in 2006 and so I am now the proud owner. and in the future will pass it on to my eldest son who also will treasure it. The painting had hung in my parents home for over 30 years and has unfortunately become a little dirty and stained form cigarette smoke, particularly noticeable when it was removed from its frame revealing its pure white edges. I am not sure what medium was used for the painting or how best to go about having it cleaned. I also wonder if you could give me some indication of its value for insurance purposes. I can forward a photograph if it would be of interest but will need an e-address that I can attach it to. I know that this is email will go to the BBC but wondered if it could be forwarded to Sam...
Wed Oct 1 11:26:23 2008
Hudson from Maryland
I have had your prints in my living room for 35 years. I need new prints because I love your prints of the leopards and tigers. Where can I find them?
Tue Jul 29 09:04:48 2008
John from Gwent
hi i have a clouded leopard print that appears to quite an age. could you tell me how many prints were produced and a an approximate value. thankyou.
Wed Jul 9 15:16:20 2008
Dale Kent from California, USA
I am researching for a friend the value and sale of two original drawings/prints of "Young Ocelot" and "American Tiger Cat". I am told they are original drawings, so I am looking for imformation on how to identify what they are. There is an "elephant" near the signiture, what does this mean?
Wed Jul 9 14:59:21 2008
John from Gwent
hi i have a clouded leopard print that appears to quite an age. could you tell me how many prints were produced and a an approximate value. thankyou.
Wed Jul 9 09:04:58 2008
Paul Edwards
I have just come into posession of a print called the clouded leopard it is approximately 3ft x 2& half feet in dimention it is signed by the artist Samaraweera I am trying to obtain information about the print and if I should insure it seperately on my contents insurance. Please can you advise with any information.
Mon Jun 30 09:56:25 2008
Sydney Wargo from Santa Rosa CA
I have Clouded Leopard and Red Panda beautifully framed and in perfect condition. I inherited them from my brother 14 years ago and have enjoyed them over the years. Someone has expressed an interest in buying them. Please email me if you to know their value. Thank you,
Mon Apr 21 10:08:25 2008
Sondra Willaims, Port Coquitlam, B.C.
many years ago, the 70's, a picture titled American Tiger Cat was presented to my mother Marcine Williams, out of Continental Arts Gallery, Fraser St., Vancouver, B.C. . I would like more info about this picture and approx. value
Sun Apr 20 19:47:29 2008
Mrs Iris Anthony
I have picture of lioness and cub, approx 30 years old, can you pls give an indication of the value for insurance purposes many thanks.
Tue Feb 12 14:12:28 2008
Marilyn Francis
I have a wood engraving print of a cat on a log. 97/200. it looks like the signature is Albert Samaraweera. the label on the reverse reads R samaraweera solomon house llanfyllin. My question is, Did you use a sudaname at any time please. is Albert your middle name. I have just decided to part with my print not knowing if it has value. I would not wish for it to go for a song if it is of any value. I am interested to know please, any help would be appreciated.
Thu Nov 15 10:27:45 2007
Michele Moore, Athens GA
I have acquired the print "Pile of Pigs" from a friend. It's just great! How can I find the value of this print? And how can I find more? I am a new Fan!
Thu Jul 19 09:36:28 2007
Susan Faulkner, Hampshire
I have just bought 4hand painted wood block prints of 'pigs' as my dad loves them,'comforted pigs''pig of pigs''sleepy pigs'and'two happy pigs'. I'm not familiar with your work but my dad's going to love them. I'm not sure when they were printed but I see they are limited editions, maybe you could enlighten me or point me in the right direction. Thankyou.
Mon May 21 14:33:05 2007
Celia Crooks
I bought an oil painting of two barn owls in the early seventies for 75pounds would like to know its worth now please for insurance reasons. Thank you. I love it and will never sell it as it gives me great pleasure.
Thu Apr 26 12:04:58 2007
Russ Mosley, Minneapolis Minnesota
I have a clouded leopard multi tone print that is approximately 22x30 in measurement. I would like to know if I need to insure this print. How much is it worth. I believe it is from the 1970's. The print is a beautiful.
Fri Nov 10 09:48:51 2006
Virginia from Arizona
I have the Clouded Leopard. I purchased it in the 1970s in New Jersey, USA. It is a large print- (approx 22x 30) all of these years I thought it was a charcoal or other medium! Can you tell me what it is worth? Also, what is the artist's nationality? Where is he originally from?
Mon Apr 3 14:13:55 2006
Graham Jupp from Clacton-on- sea
I have an original signed 24"x16" watercolour of a Jaguar nestle'd in a dead tree. This was bought by me approx 20/25 years ago in Loughborough.I would be interested in getting more history as I was led to believe it was used as a print on a chocolate box.
Tue Mar 28 18:41:48 2006
Anne Collins, Llangyniew, Powys
I bought a piece of his work at an auction in Market Drayton in about 1979. It cost me £50 and I hid it in the garden shed for about two months, too frightened to let my then husband know. It's a head and shoulders of a leopard looking over the V shaped bows of a tree. How much do you think it's worth now???
Tue Jan 24 23:43:58 2006
Rheal Cormier, Gardner, MA
Hi I bought a signed piece in 78 or 79 called the Clouded Leopard...I was wondering how I could find out its worth or any other info on it?
Wed Oct 26 08:36:32 2005
Cathy from Pennsylvania,U.S.A.
We own a pair of your works purchased about 30?yrs.ago of "Jaguar and cub" and a Lioness and cub. What is the circa and medium? Do you know the value now and what would be your price today for replacement. Thank you
Thu Oct 20 21:51:08 2005
Chris Yaldezian Los Angeles
I have a signed print of his work called the Red Panda. I don't remember where I bought it , but it has to be more than 25 years ago.
Mon Sep 5 03:35:26 2005
Anthea Burnett from York
I have a piece of his work which I bought 25 years ago of a puma, or could be a black panther, which I have often wondered about and have tried to get info on.
Wed Jun 15 19:18:21 2005
Are you familiar with Rama Samaraweera's work? Add your comments here:
Find out more about artist Rama Samarweera, who moved from the Midlands to the Montgomeryshire town of Llanfyllin in the early seventies.
