February 2012 Gamini Ratnavira—On the Road and Closer to Home Painting pairings in Tucson, Carlsbad Pala International neighbor Gamini Ratnavira was profiled by GIA Insider last month. He discusses his life, inspiration, technique and how he came to live in Southern California. He also can be seen in three streaming videos in which he discusses his family’s relationship with gems and jewelry, and more. Snazzy. Gamini’s father, Sardha Ratnavira (fourth from right), graduated in 1940 as a member of GIA’s first residence class. (Photo: Bill Larson collection) The artist will display his mineral paintings, paired with the specimens they depict, at GIA’s Carlsbad campus in late February (see above link for info). The specimens are from the collection of Ron Gladnick. Gladnick’s collection—and Ratnavira’s renderings—also will be featured on Collector’s Day at the Westward Look Show, Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m *A third generation of Ratnavira artist's joins the rank as well .... Sardha's grandson and Gamini's son, Neil Ratnavira, brings artistic brushstrokes and fascinating photograph to the scene...

January 20, 2012   World-Famous Painter Creates Mineral Masterpieces Gamini Ratnavira is one of the most respected mineral artists in the U.S. You can see his work in Tucson and at GIA <---Click the image for the full story

November 2011 Gamini is supporting AVRI's antivenom project.

September 2010 (Click for more photos) Gamini has donated this mural to Children's Paradise Inc in Vista, CA.

July 18, 2010 Gamini Makes News in San Diego Union-Tribune Read the article: www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/18/nature-painter-inspired-by-his-native-sri-lanka/ Artist's note: Leopards not Tigers are found in Sri Lanka. Tigers are found in India.

April 5th 2010   Launch of New Book on April 5th An Illustrated Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka By Sarath Kotagama & Gamini Ratnavira Field Orthinology Group of Sri Lanka invites you to the Book Launch on April 5, 2010 Book will be available at a Special Discount Rate <---Click the book cover for details.

February 2010 Gamini is Interviewed on Newsnet TV Click the image to view the video of the Newsnet TV program on 02/01/10 (Click on "So. Cal Life 020110", then allow the video to load for 2-3 minutes. Move the time bar at the bottom of the video window to 27 minutes, & 30 seconds, and wait for the video to catch up.) Compliments of Newsnet TV.

October 2009 The Making of a Painting by Gamini...   <---Click the image to view the making of this painting.

May 2009 (Click for more photos) We had a great time at this year's Reflections of Nature Wildlife Art Show in Fallbrook, California. ~Ayumbowan, Lis & Gam

Fall 2008 A Glimpse of Trinidad In September Gamini and Lisa Ratnavira visited Trinidad, and in particular the Asa Wright Nature Center, the oldest nature center in the West Indies. Click here for "A Glimpse of Trinidad" by Lisa A. Ratnavira.

Summer 2008 Gamini Donates Painting to University of Nevada Gamini Ratnavira donated "Wolfpack" to University of Nevada Reno in honor of Natalie's admission there and as a member of the Women's Wolfpack soccer team. Go Wolfpack! This 24x48 oil painting will be exhibited in the Marguerite Wattis Peterson Athletic Academic Center, a student study center for Wolfpack athletes, located in the E.L. Cord Academic and Athletic Performance Complex.

February 2008 See Gamini's new mineral paintings combined with Dr. Rob Lavinsky's mineral collection at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Winter 2008 Los Angeles Zoo Mike Dee Retirement party with Gamini, Greg Reuvers, Golden Girl Betty White and Lis...

Seasons Greetings 2007

Summer 2007 Gamini Returns from Sri Lanka Read the Sri Lanka Sunday Times newspaper article written about Gamini during his recent visit to Sri Lanka. Click here to go to the story.

Spring 2007 Gamini adds more New Bronzes Resplendant Quetzel Click to see the complete collection of bronzes.

Fall 2006 Shambala with Tippi Hedron & Dr. Dinnes, DMV Hi Everyone, We had the great pleasure of exhibiting at Tippi Hedron's Shambala lion, tiger, cheetah preserve that she began in 1972. Her leading man Dr. Marty Dinnes hosted us in their guest home and we had a wonderful evening dining at a beautiful French restaurant. Tippi is famous for the movie The Birds, Marnie and for her daughter, actress Melanie Griffith and son in law Antonio Banderes. She is so beautiful in person she took my breath away. Marty is a renowned vet and develops Natural Balance pet foods and was the vet for Sigfriend and Roy for over 30 years. We talked about Six Degrees of Separation. Gamini and Marty had a friend from Sri Lanka, both know Peter Lang from Safari West, and Wolfgang Kiesling from Lorro Parque in the Canary Islands and have travelled to many of the same places. Tippi and I shared many things in common including a mutual friend Florence Lambert of the Elephant Alliance, which is how Gamini and I met, and our love for Africa. It was an amazing time and I hope many of you will get a chance to go on her website www.shambala.org. Gamini and I plan on working on some fundraising opportunities in the Spring of 2007 and exhibiting yearly at her event that we showed at this year. Just being with them and their passion for life, living their dreams to the fullest for over 70 years and the love they share with one another was so inspiring, I can not even begin to tell you how special these two people are. Gratefully yours, Lisa and Gamini Ratnavira

Summer 2006 Gamini's Puerto Rican Parrots Help Raise Funds for Aviary Project Gamini’s Hyacinth Macaw sculpture was seen by 168,362 people at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC by participating in their courtyard sculpture exhibition coordinated by Dave Wagner LLC. In addition his 24x48 Puerto Rican Parrot original raised $8000 for a new aviary project, matched by generous donations from Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville($7,500) and Parrot’s International. It is so exciting to not only love what you do for a living but to affect conservation in a positive way in the process! Have a wonderful Summer and if you are in the neighborhood please come by and enjoy the nature center and gallery! Sincerely, Lisa and Gamini Ratnavira

Winter 2005 Gamini Ratnavira's Hyacinth Macaw "Jewel of Brazil"     This bronze sculpture is now on our website. Click gallery and then bronze. This is Gamini's first bronze done at Fallbrook's foundry Artworks of Fallbrook. Gamini hit a grand slam as it was chosen as one of only 5 sculptures for the National Geographic Society . The venue is the Society of Animal Artists Sculpture Courtyard of the National Geographic Society, just off DuPont Circle not far from the White House in Washington, D.C. Gamini's very first sculpture will be on display there for one year, from June 1, 2005 - May 31, 2006. We are very excited with the tremendous response.