Meet Rohan Dahotre | Wildlife Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rohan Dahotre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rohan, what are you inspired by?
Nature has always inspired me. I feel not just me but everyone loves nature. But when it specifically comes to wildlife, that is what I like the most. So much variety, different characteristics, behaviour, shapes, sizes, texture. In all there so much to observe and learn.

Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a nature and wildlife enthusiast, a keen observer who loves exploring the wilderness. Since I am inspired by nature, I never believed in having one style. For me it is more important to have many styles and be versatile like nature. So my style of work is “having no style”.

When I draw wildlife, I often study them first and try to understand their situation. Sadly almost all the species in the wild are in a very bad state. It is either loss of their land or habitat or poaching and hunting. There is also marine pollution that has affected the sea creatures. This makes me want to draw them more and spread awareness on them.

The more I started drawingabout them, few forest departments from coury approached me to draw for them. One of them was WWF, India. That is how my journey as a wildlife illustrator began. It is amazing working for them because while working I undersood the current scenario of Indian wildlfe. So while working for them, I was educating myself.

I see art as a medium in introducing the wildlife through beautiful illustrations. Thus help in spreading awareness among our society which can make people aware of what is happening currently in our society involving wildlife and ecology.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unfortunately there is not much wildlife that we can visit in my city, Pune. There are some nice forts and museums that shows our culture and history. But there are some places full of nature and wildlife outisde our city. Would love visiting beaches in Goa, which is around 6-7 hours journey through road. I love visiting Goa, the place is filled with beaches, culture, wildlife and nature.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family has always been supportive of me. Especially my sister. She is a Landscape Architect and because of her I was drawn to wildlife and ecology. Special thanks to my wife too, for always appreciating my work and supporting me during my highs and lows.

Website: https://www.behance.net/RohanSharadDahotre

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rohandahotre/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohandahotre/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rohandahotre

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rohan.sharad.dahotre