Sometimes he wrote his name as Gatra, without e. Born around 19935 in Pengosekan, Ubud. His father died when he was still a child, therefore he has to earn his own living by working as one of Puri Peliatan's helpers. With the support of Cok Dalem Puda, he entered Sekolah Rakyat or elementary school. He finished the school 1947.

On painting, he learned from Putu Sugih, a student of I Gusti Kobot from Pengosekan, which later on he developed his own painting themes until he satsfied on depiciting various magical themes in Bali. Among them is "atma persanga" illustrating the ancestors spirit or "citra bala" (demigods). His style is surreal. Gatera once joined Pita MAha, founded by Rudolf Bonnet, Walter Spies and Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati in Campuhan, Ubud. For him, Bonnet is his mentor and critic.