Like an Angel sent from God Aunty Shy came to me! I was in grade 14, with A/L's looming in 4 months. My school art teacher had retired and I had almost an entire syllabus to cover. Being family friends we bumped into aunty at church and before I knew it, she said "Putha come to me, I'll teach you".

There started our journey of 3 days a week 9.00am to almost always 9.00pm. This was when aunty shy was not teaching full time and had only the Thalawathugoda art school to run. To say that she was a dedicated teacher would not suffice. Not only did she teach, she fed me, clothed me and pretty much took me over as her own.

Her philosophy of teaching was not to merely divulge information but inspire..to understand the psyche of the student, and to bring out the best in a student in the aspect that he or she held strength in. Aunty Shy is a master of reading children. She has the uncanny ability to look into your eyes and know what you are thinking, and she has no inhibitions! She has no qualms about dancing the funky chicken [to no music mind you] just to grab the attention of the little ones, to get them out of their shells, to entertain, to ensure that their soul is let loose to explore the creativity and potential within them.

Conversely, she can be very serious, to be firm with the older more rebellious teenagers, being cautious not to confine their creativity, but to instil a sense of discipline necessary to tap their talents and improve beyond all expectation!
After 4 months of being under Aunty Shy's wing, night after night, taking a stack of books home to read by the next morning, countless still life's drawn, many jokes shared, some enlightening conversations had and a tear or two shed, the day of the A/L examination dawned. We did not cover the 2 year syllabus, but in her wisdom she taught me what she felt was essential. I remember Aunty Shy praying and also telling me "Putha, pray that the paper will be set for you, just for you". And no other words could better describe the art paper that year, it was indeed set for me. I may stand corrected, but to this day I have remained the only student of Aunty Shy's to receive an A for local A/L Art. She said "Putha, because of you my faith has been strengthened". But I can't reiterate enough that it had very little to do with my capabilities, but more to do with Aunty Shy's dedication, inspiration and love; and of course, the goodness of God.
My relationship with her did not end there. My ultimate aim was to study architecture and till that came through I helped Aunty Shy at the Police park art class, assisting her with the lessons for the smaller ones and later in the evenings, working on my own portfolio. The time in between school and studying architecture was trying one, as things did not go as I planned. And I was on the verge of letting go of my architecture- dream. Aunty shy took that opportunity to show me that sometimes it is necessary to go through the mill, before you are ready for something. She insisted that I hold onto my ambition, that the right time will come, and till then she will still have me under her wing and train me. Because of her, MY faith was strengthened. Things turned out as God had planned, and today I am a 4th year student at City School of Architecture and God willing on my way to becoming an architect!

Aunty Shy has not only taught me 'Art'. She has taught me lessons in life. Some of her pearls of wisdom are etched in my heart, never to be forgotten. Her occasional texts with inspiring verse or even a "kshani...how are you putha?", goes to show that you never really stop being her student, that you never really stop learning from her and she never really stops teaching you and loving you. She has been a source of strength to me and a reminder of how much we are capable of and can indeed achieve, with the right amount of faith, devotion and endeavour. I owe so much to her and hope that one day I can make up for it! Until then, she is still 'teaching' me. God bless you Aunty Shy!

When Yugi was about 5 years old she started to draw and match and blend the colors well. She coloured very neatly. Never a line coming out of the picture. I never saw her using eraser and all the lines were perfect. A much needed prayer was answered when one of my colleagues who was listening to my story about Yugi’s drawings very positively told me that Shyamala School of Art is the most ideal place for her. So immediately got in touch with Mrs.Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena and fixed a class for her.

When Yugi walked in to Art School unknowingly she passed through the gated to her future. At that time she was not decided as to how she should use her talents. She was instructed correctly and given the much needed confidence. With the correct guidance and the correct and the quiet and serene environment pared the path for her in born talents to blossom out.

Not only in drawing, had her skills developed in many other fields in life. She had a difficulty expressing herself and using correct language but as she gained confidence and knew she was with people who wanted her and appreciated what she did she slowly began to improve her speech. Her drawing improved immensely and she was very proud of whatever she did. Her whole world is art and never happy to miss one class.

She is so talented in hand craft, needle work, fabric painting and designing. Her work is so neat and precise that she does whatever creation as if it’s a meditation. She is given that atmosphere at the Art School and the guidance she needs to improve her skills. She has always been comfortable with the surroundings and people she associates with after she started developing her art skills.

Finally I must say that ‘Yugi’ the flower bud which was waiting to blossom was given the light and mental strength to stand on her feet with confidence and find the correct path for her future.

There are many institutions for kids to learn art but I’m proud that I selected Shyamala School of Art for my daughter. She started as the age of 3 and I have witnessed how they have taught my daughter to express herself and not just draw by copying. Freedom to express oneself in different mediums, focusing on the size of the space and the choice of using a variety of colors at such a young age is marvelous. I’m very excited that she is able to take part in an art exhibition as a junior artist. It has been an exciting journey for the kids, with opportunities to build sand castles, take part in different religious activities, celebrate national festivals, create amazing things out of recycled material and so much more.

When Yugi was about 5 years old she started to draw and match and blend the colors well. She coloured very neatly. Never a line coming out of the picture. I never saw her using eraser and all the lines were perfect. A much needed prayer was answered when one of my colleagues who was listening to my story about Yugi’s drawings very positively told me that Shyamala School of Art is the most ideal place for her. So immediately got in touch with Mrs.Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena and fixed a class for her.

When Yugi walked in to Art School unknowingly she passed through the gated to her future. At that time she was not decided as to how she should use her talents. She was instructed correctly and given the much needed confidence. With the correct guidance and the correct and the quiet and serene environment pared the path for her in born talents to blossom out.

Not only in drawing, had her skills developed in many other fields in life. She had a difficulty expressing herself and using correct language but as she gained confidence and knew she was with people who wanted her and appreciated what she did she slowly began to improve her speech. Her drawing improved immensely and she was very proud of whatever she did. Her whole world is art and never happy to miss one class.

She is so talented in hand craft, needle work, fabric painting and designing. Her work is so neat and precise that she does whatever creation as if it’s a meditation. She is given that atmosphere at the Art School and the guidance she needs to improve her skills. She has always been comfortable with the surroundings and people she associates with after she started developing her art skills.

Finally I must say that ‘Yugi’ the flower bud which was waiting to blossom was given the light and mental strength to stand on her feet with confidence and find the correct path for her future.