Shastri Boodan
Freelance Contributor
For Angela Bhagwandeen, art is not merely a passion but a carefully sustained way of life, shaped by creativity, discipline, and an unwavering connection to nature.
A resident of Freeport in Central Trinidad, Bhagwandeen is an artist and author whose work centres on landscape and nature-inspired themes, interpreted through her own emotional lens rather than strict realism. Her paintings reflect what she feels as much as what she sees, offering viewers a deeply personal experience of the natural world.
Much of her inspiration comes from the environment around her home, where she has created an outdoor studio on her front lawn. Surrounded by flowers, birds, and a small fishpond, Bhagwandeen said the space provides a sense of calm and focus that feeds her creative process.
Beyond the canvas, Bhagwandeen balances multiple roles to sustain her artistic pursuits. She works as a massage therapist and operates an online store, using the income generated to fund her art practice and creative projects. She said this approach allows her to remain independent while continuing to produce work at her own pace.
Bhagwandeen said her passion for art began during her school years and has remained a constant throughout her life, serving both as an escape and a form of expression. She is also an accomplished author, having written two novels, Angel of Death and its sequel, The Homecoming, which explores the journey of a runaway in search of a better life.
Her work has been exhibited at several prominent venues, including the Carnegie Library in San Fernando, the Arima Library, the Venezuelan Embassy, and exhibitions hosted by the Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago. Despite her experience, Bhagwandeen said she produces fewer than ten pieces annually, which she said is guided by her belief that art should never be rushed.
“All art is truly priceless,” she said. “It’s love that comes from within.
