BIRDS AND BIOMES

Through the vibrant colors of paper, I capture the journey of ecosystems—each biome a chapter, each bird a verse in nature's ever-changing story.

●      Why art?

I think visually, and I believe there are a lot of people like me who connect with pictures/graphics more than words. A painting, a drawing, or a photo speaks more than a thousand words, because they speak in different languages to different people. Any piece of artwork, however small or big, evokes feelings and memories in all of us. This is one of the main reasons why Art is so important in a society and why I chose to be an Artist.

●      What kind of artwork do you do?

I create mixed media pieces - specifically gouache and embroidery on handmade paper. I also make my custom float frames for each of my originals, so the deckled edges of the handmade paper are preserved.

●      How has being an immigrant influenced your art?

Coming from a background and culture where Art has limited value, even though artistic skills have been inherited since childhood, it took me time to make the switch in my career that I required. Since then, my art practice has slowly gravitated towards merging mediums, reviving the old skills that my family taught me, and putting forth artworks that have a little bit of both societies - the one I was born in and the one I am living in currently. Two years ago, I added embroidery to my work, which is an inherent part of Indian culture. By doing so, I tried to put a piece of my past into my present.

●      What does your work aim to say?

When I quit my Architecture job and started as an Artist, I only wished to create pieces that brought peace to my soul. It was only about what my work did for me. But over the years, my practice and aim has morphed into this need of having a stronger voice of its own.

I want to create pieces that speak louder than I ever have, push the boundaries of what certain materials can do or not, and lastly make people want to have a closer look at the piece.

●      What motivates and inspires you?

Nature is the biggest source of inspiration for me. Going on hikes, gardening, being close to the water, taking the time to slow down and observe everything around me is what motivates me.

●      What process do you go through mentally when you are creating a piece?

I think I have somewhat of an unusual process of creating. Mentally, I try not to focus too hard on what I am doing. I keep my mind partially occupied by listening to books or musing over some memories while I paint. It helps me to not force the prejudices that my mind is prisoner to, onto the piece that I am creating. For me, a good composition is very important, and from my previous years in Architectural studies, compositions come to me when I am most pliable and open to them. So I like to keep my mind diverted while my subconscious mind does what it already knows to do.

●      What role does the artist have in society?

They are the mirrors for the past, the critics of the present, and the visionaries for the future.

●      How do you navigate the art world?

I am still trying to find a space for myself in this world, so I can't say that I have found a precise way of navigating it. I think I am just trying to stay afloat the best I can and keep putting my best foot forward.

●      How has your practice changed over time?

Yes, it is constantly evolving, as are my experiences with it. There is no result that I am aiming towards, but just here for the ride. So it has, at times, gone through some big changes, like making my work professionally labeled under a Business. Changing countries have exposed me to different crowds of people, and that in turn, has affected the subjects of focus I choose to paint as well.

●      What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

I think a lot of other artists will agree to that the biggest challenge will always be exposure. Even with social media being what it is today, it is not enough exposure for my work. Being a full-time artist puts a lot of financial pressure, and exposure to many eyes is the only key to easing that pressure.

●      What themes do you pursue?

All and none. I refuse to adhere to a particular theme or medium for my work. I constantly change mediums, the surface to work on, my style, and even subjects of focus. The only constant thing about my work is the attention to detail.

●      What is your dream project?

I think my dream project will be to create murals. I usually work pretty small, and to create a big mural would be terrifying and yet incredibly exciting.

●      What superpower would you have and why?

I would love to weave dreams into reality. The subconscious mind has such an innate ability to create. I would love to be able to take those imaginations and make them into a tangible piece of art.

●      What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career to this point?

Not taking myself or my work seriously. For the longest time, I have dismissed my passion for colors as just a hobby and wasted a lot of time not doing what I love. Colors are my thing, and I have found so much joy in creating.

●      How have other artists or art genres influenced your sense of aesthetics?

I am constantly observing and appreciating other artists' works around me. Visiting Art museums gives a lot of boost to my work. I believe training my eye to be visually critical about what makes a piece of art aesthetically pleasing helps me work through my artist blocks. I visited the Portland Art Museum some years ago and saw Oscar Howe’s work in person. It might have become one of the favorite works I have ever seen.

●      How do you know when a work is finished?

My first lesson in Architecture was to hear the language of the lines and dots that have made their presence on my paper. I believe they talk to each other, comfortably aligning themselves, creating spaces in between that if broken would break the composition. I think this language is what tells me when a work is finished. Sometimes, it takes days to figure out whereas sometimes I already know when to stop even before I have put down the last stroke.