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“Embracing Joy and Color Through Watercolor Mastery” Neela Pushparaj
By Viviana Puello
In this issue of ICON by ArtTour International, we delve into the vibrant world of Neela Pushparaj, a remarkable watercolor artist whose journey is as inspiring as her art. Neela’s story is one of passion, dedication, and unyielding love for the medium of watercolor, which she discovered later in life but embraced with an intensity that transformed her into a celebrated artist.
Neela Pushparaj’s artistic journey began at the age of 49, an age when many are well-settled into their routines. For Neela, however, it marked the beginning of a profound creative awakening. Enrolling in watercolor lessons at the now-defunct Summit Adult Education program, she was guided by Sarita Anne Cook, who recognized Neela’s potential and encouraged her to seek more formal training. This advice led Neela to du’Cret, a non-accredited art school in Plainfield, NJ, where she dedicated a year to honing her skills while balancing her demanding profession as a pathologist.
Neela’s commitment to her art was nothing short of extraordinary. She would rise at five in the morning, immersing herself in her watercolors before heading to the hospital. The allure of painting often caused her to lose track of time, a testament to the deep connection she felt with
“Girasol” Watercolor On Paper
her creative process. Her dedication was further fueled by workshops with renowned artists like Barbara Nechis, whose influence helped shape Neela’s distinctive style.
Neela Pushparaj’s work is a celebration of color and spontaneity. Her approach to painting is both intuitive and bold, as she delights in throwing colors onto wet or dry paper and allowing shapes to emerge organically. This method results in a dynamic interplay of hues and forms, particularly evident in her semiabstract and abstract floral paintings. Neela’s florals are a feast for the eyes, bursting with vibrant colors that evoke joy and wonder. In contrast, her landscapes and still-life paintings exhibit a more restrained yet equally captivating use of color.
The impact of Neela’s art extends beyond the canvas. Her works adorn the walls of St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY, and the radiology department of Atlantic City Medical Center, having been selected from a statewide competition. Her contributions to the Summit Rotary Club scholarship fundraisers and the St. Francis Hospital Foundation further highlight her generosity and commitment to using her art for good.
Neela’s art has also been showcased at numerous venues, including the Radiology Gallery at St. Francis, which she helped establish, and the Morristown Memorial Hospital. Her membership in esteemed organizations such as the NJCVA, GSWCS, and the Essex Watercolor Club underscores her active participation in the art community. Recognized with a certificate of honor from NJCVA, Neela continues to exhibit her work, sharing her passion with a broader audience.
Neela Pushparaj’s creative process is as captivating as her finished pieces. She paints without reference or preliminary sketches, allowing her intuition to guide her. By wetting the surface unevenly and dropping colors randomly, she creates a canvas where shapes and forms reveal themselves naturally. This organic evolution of her work is enhanced by her use of intense, varied darks to delineate floral themes and intricate structures that form the background.
In this exclusive interview, Neela shares her journey, influences, and creative process, offering a glimpse into the mind of an artist who has embraced joy and color with an
unwavering passion. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of art and the endless possibilities that arise when one follows one’s creative instincts.
Join us as we explore the world of Neela Pushparaj, a true master of watercolor whose art continues to inspire and uplift all who encounter it.
WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS AN ARTIST?
There certainly was! A chance meeting with a palm reader in the East Village resulted in his amazed, instantaneous
statement that I had a tremendous aesthetic ability that I had never explored. When my husband heard the story, he did not immediately have any comments. But on my next birthday, some six months later, there was a gift certificate for watercolor lessons at the local adult education program.
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“Three Roses” Watercolor On Paper
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?
I am a watercolor artist known mostly for my semi-abstract floral paintings.
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
My work aims to please the eye and uplift the spirit. I have had my work in hospitals and many galleries, and what impresses me is the look of happiness and joy on the viewers’
faces. I recently had a show with peace as the theme, and I was able to convey that message very effectively.
“Floral Quilt” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper 15” x 22”
“Roses Do Ramble” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper 30” x 22”
“Maiden Hair” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK FITS WITHIN SOCIETY IN OUR PRESENT TIME?
My work has a timeless quality to it. People who have purchased my work at Rotary and hospital fundraisers meet me ten years later, tell me they still enjoy looking at them and encourage me to continue painting. My Peace show was very timely, and my current exhibition, “My Cup Runneth Over,” is about gratitude and joy. (My solo shows and spotlight shows can be accessed from the Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery website.)
WHEN LOOKING BACK, WHAT ARTWORKS COME TO MIND THAT MOST RELATE TO YOUR LIFE STORY?
“Opus 84” is a homage to my husband, who had transitioned. The peacethemed work is close to my heart, as is my current show’s theme.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
I am a self-taught artist who learned my skills from three important teachers whose workshops and classes I was privileged to attend. My first teacher was Sarita Anne Cook, who saw something in my work and encouraged me to continue. Next, the Napa Valley artist Barbara Neches taught me all my technical skills. Finally, my art teacher at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Nancy Korde, taught me how to paint landscapes. My favorites among wellknown artists include Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Klimt, and many Renaissance
artists. Also Monet, Matisse, and Van Gogh.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I usually paint without any reference or sketching. The images and composition evolve on the surface as I create my art. I wet the surface unevenly, drop my chosen colors randomly, and allow
them to mix on the surface. As it dries, I visualize shapes that I enhance or mute with fairly intense but varied darks that delineate the floral theme. I also fill my surface with small intricate structures to form a background. I also paint some abstracts and landscapes. All my work is on paper canvas or aqua board.
WHAT VISUAL REFERENCES DO YOU DRAW UPON IN YOUR WORK? I occasionally use photos, and often I “borrow” a tiny structure for an illustration or calendar picture.
Painting is an integral part of my life. It is an expression of my joy in everything I see.
Neela Pushparaj
“Solitude At Sundown” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper
“Floral Arrangement” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper
“Blue Poppy” Watercolor On Paper
