Naveen Kumar R, born in 1973, grew up in a family of artists who worked in traditional Mysore style. To start with he studied engineering, but soon turned to art and learnt painting under the tutelage of his father, artist B.P. Ramakrishna. Naveen prefers to work on flat gold rather than low-relief created by gesso. Adept at mixing colours, he has also specialised in rendering detailed fine lines and painting miniatures adorning an old world charm. Also an academician who teaches at The Gokulam in Mysore, his work is part of mportant collections in the state including that of Maharaja of Mysore, in private homes in India, Australian and Canada. The artist lives and works in Mysore.