Spring flowers issue

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MAY 2017

E D I T

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Evergreen Banana Trees TJIONG ITMOY Nostalgic Expressions ALKA CHADHA

Stunning Landscapes LAURA MORRISON

The Unspoken Connections MANASI MENON

Redefining Ethnic Art

A Day In The Life SANDRA RAGAN Art as An Exploration ARUNA SHARMA

Be A Meditator NITU CHHAJER Magnificent Portraits And Beautiful Flowers GALINA SERGEEVA

ANUJA SAPKALE

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EDITOR’S LETTER

PRIYA YABALURI

Dear Readers, The New year started with new beginnings and resolutions.After releasing the first two editions of the “STAR”TISTS” magazine “The contemporary Women’s Art magazine”, I proudly present to you the first paperback quarterly version.The journey has been exciting so far along with the dedicated and hardworking artists and readers.This issue features some of the world’s best artists, their interviews, and paintings.

All the artists are extraordinarily creatively skilled and their brilliance shines through all the pages of this magazine.

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“STAR”TISTS” aims to know the mind and heart of the artists.It sincerely focusses on bringing the artists to the limelight and let their art reach the world.

Hope this edition of “STAR”TISTS” inspires you and makes you travel through the artist’s lives and dreams.It motivates you to create more and lights up the artistic soul.

I sincerely thank all the artists for their beautiful contribution and for making space and time for me to talk to and interview them.The support has been fantastic.I hope to improve with every feedback I receive from my readers and bring in more popularity to the artists for their wonderful contribution to our society, towards arts,culture, and humanities.

With this, I take your leave and let you go through the magazine and the beautiful minds.

Priya Yabaluri Editor-in-chief

Email:startistsmag@gmail.com Website:www.afaartgallery.com

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FEATURED ARTISTS PAGE 8

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SANDRA RAGAN

TJIONG ITMOY

ALKA CHADHA

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PAGE 24

PAGE 40

LAURA MORRISON

PAGE 56

MANASI MENON

PAGE 70

ANUJA SAPKALE

PAGE 82

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FEATURED ARTISTS PAGE 98

ARUNA SHARMA

PAGE 114

NITU CHHAJER

PAGE 126

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GALINA SERGEEVA

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STAR”TISTS MAGAZINE MAY 14TH 2017 Editor/Writing Contributor PRIYA YABALURI Graphic design Priya Yabaluri Cover Photo/Painting TJIONG ITMOY STAR”TISTS is a Women’s Art Magazine featuring Contemporary women in art.

It is “Art for Awareness “trademarked Publication Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STARRARTMAG/ Website: www.afaartgallery.com Mail: startistsmag@gmail.com Submission Guidelines If you want to contribute to the next edition, you can send us an email with your data and a PDF file that Shows your works, also a link of your website if you have any.

We would love to see your art so don’t hesitate to contact us.

All artwork in this magazine is trademark protected under the AFA,”ART FOR AWARENESS” brand AND all rights are reserved as the property of individual artists contributing to the magazine.

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r a g a n

SANDRA

“ I think art is a form of channelling,

I believe it is accessing a power greater than myself, that flows through me, on the canvas, paper, etc. It is in my heart and soul. I love the ability to bring joy to others, through the power of my creations.

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A day in the life Sandra Ragan is born and brought up

in, La Grange, IL. She has been drawing and painting ever since her childhood. She joined the local art league in 2002, and started to do it full time art, after retiring in December of 2013 and has received many local awards.

Sandra is inspired by the masters especially like Van Gogh, Monet, and other impressionists. She also likes John Singer Sargent. .She is also inspired by great British rock band ,”The Beatles” .You can see many of paintings featuring the rock stars .She loves nature and animals too ,which made her paint many surreal artworks as well.

Sandra Ragan is a versatile artist as much a passionate person inside out. Her incredible works seem compellingly attractive and energetic and painting tells us an interesting story, one cannot overlook or forget.Her works are vibrant just as she is.

I was drawn to her works since the moment I set my eyes upon them and I found out this brilliant artist had so much to share about her and her immense knowledge . Here, we talk to one of USA’s successful artists on her artistic journey, dealing with Struggle,enthusiasm and what inspires her in her career.

STAR: Can you describe your workspace and your studio? The way it looks is very artist friendly.

S.RAGAN: I guess I am your normal messy art-

ist. My studio is in my Condo, in Riverside, IL, it is what should have been the dining room. It is next to the kitchen. The booth I sit in, is from a favorite bar that my Husband and I used to go to, that has been torn down. I have my Easel there and another card table. I put some cheap carpeting down, to save the floor from paint drips. It has a great source of light, big windows, and it overlooks a river. I have several chest of drawers full of supplies. Plus, I painted an Abbey Road Beatles Mural on the wall of the studio. .

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STAR: Tell us about your painting, “I am the walrus” S.RAGAN: This painting is based

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on one of John Lennon’s most famous songs, I am the Walrus. I was just about to fall asleep, when a vision of part of John Lennon’s song, came to me in picture form. I decided I wanted to paint my take on the lyrics of the song. This is a fun painting for any Beatles fan, as, they can study it to see what images correspond with what lyrics of the song.

STAR: What are your favourite works you have created?

S.RAGAN: I have some favourites,

I like my stained-glass butterfly that I painted, and my Beatles paintings that I covered with glass. I really love trying new ideas, and usually jump in with both feet. I am not afraid to try new ideas; my mind is always looking for art. I see art everywhere I look.

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STAR:What is your average day like?

STAR:What other forms of creativity do you like?

S.RAGAN:Every day I try to take care of myself, I exercise, walk, and work on my latest project, painting, or trying something new. I am also into my own spiritual growth, going to meditate at the Buddhist temple every week.

My weeks are very full of activities, even though I am retired. I also enjoy traveling, and take several trips a year.

S.RAGAN:I like any form of creativity really, making shadow boxes, decorating the house, tie dying, painting murals, etc. In my artist career, I have made earrings, tried needle point, weaving, some clay, painted fabric, made mosaics, used most mediums, coloured pencils, acrylic, oil, pastel, inks, etc.

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STYRTISTS I Am The Walrus,Painting on canvas.

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STYRTISTS THE ABBEY ROAD

STAR:What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

S.RAGAN: I love most things about life. Life is really in a person’s head. If someone

loves life, life is good, it all depends on one’s attitude. I don’t know if I hate anything, I dislike violence, and anger. I stay away from those that hate. I am all about peace and love.

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STAR:What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?

S.RAGAN: Now I am working on a custom order of earrings, and a mural at my house. I plan

to continue to paint murals, and explore more types of art, going where the spirit moves me.

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THE SEA TURTLE

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

S.RAGAN:Imagination is the key to any great art. See-

ing a vision of a work, and then making it real. I say the ability to take an idea, and create something 2D or 3D from that idea, that is the miracle of art. An artist sees life differently than others that may not have that ability.

It is a gift from God. Also, art is such a personal thing.

Give a group of artists the same thing to paint, and each painting will be so unique, because, each person is unique.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

S.RAGAN:Art makes everything better, it colours our

world. We read poetry to connect with others, to feel their joy or pain, we see a beautiful painting, and something touches us. We are changed by the imagination of others. I believe art is one of the greatest gifts of all.

STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

S.RAGAN: I have travelled to many lands, includ-

ing china, Indonesia, Greece, Italy, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the USA. I graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree in Art History. I have won many times at the Fest for Beatles Fans art contest, held in Chicago, IL. I am married for almost 21 years, and have a twin sister, and am an Aunt to her two cats.

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STAR: What is your favourite experience as an artist?

S.RAGAN:

My favourite experience is when someone buys of my works, and it brings them joy. I am the happiest when I make others happy through the gifts I have been given.

STAR: What is your inspiration behind your paintings?

S.RAGAN: I think peace and serenity are my inspiration

for most of my works.

STAR: Can you describle your work place or studio?

S.RAGAN: I guess I am your normal messy artist. My

studio is in my Condo, in Riverside, IL, it is what should have been the dining room. It is next to the kitchen. The booth I sit in, is from a favourite bar that my Husband and I used to go to, that has been torn down. I have my Easel there and another card table. I put some cheap carpeting down, to save the floor from paint drips. It has a great source of light, big windows, and it overlooks a river. I have several chest of drawers full of supplies. Plus, I painted an Abbey Road Beatles Mural on the wall of the studio.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

S.RAGAN: Trying to find venues for my art can be difficult. I am always searching for new places to show my work.

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Glass Onion...Acrylic and glass on canvas

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JOHN LENNON

STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

S,RAGAN:I am still working on selling my art, I market myself on line,

through Facebook, and my website:www.sanddansart.com I am in several local art groups. The last couple of years, money has been tight for most people, so sales haven’t been as good, but, I continue to find new avenues for my work. I was fortunate enough to have one of my Beatles pieces in a traveling Beatles art show, in Italy and England last year.

STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

S.RAGAN: I would say I am a realist, I try to paint in a realistic way.

STAR: How did your art works become famous?

S.RAGAN: I am locally famous at the Fest for Beatles Fans, Chicago,

because I have won so many times there 9 times out of the last 10 years. I have been blessed to know some international artists, and to be part of a great international Beatles art show. I think I have made some great friends though Facebook. When they saw my work, they contacted me to be part of the All you need is paint, Beatles show, that travelled throughout Italy last year, and was featured in Liverpool at the International Beatles week last August, 2016.

STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

S.RAGAN: Never give up, keep doing what you love. Follow your dreams.

If you enjoy making art, keep doing it, no matter what obstacle comes in your way.

Sandra Ragan has been awarded many times ,and has won many art contests as well .The list is too big to mention all .A plaque she painted is permanently mounted in La Grunge,Illinois ,where she resides.She had the privilege to exhibit her paintings at Harrison Works ,in Oak Park in 2010,a show dedicated to John Lennon on his 70th birthday. ‘You can know more about her at http://www.sanddansart.com/

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ITMOY

T J I O N G

A work of art cannot exist without an artist .Artists use their artworks as a medium to express ideas, views and feelings with the public.

Evergreen Banana Trees

TJIONG IT MOY was born in Bekasi on 27 January 1960 .She currently resides in the beautiful country of Indonesia, is married and has a son.In 2012, she began to paint all objects that interested her.

Later, in 2014, she was interested in a banana tree that happened to be in the backyard of her home and liked the concept of studying a Banana tree and making it her subject for her paintings, She found banana tree as very beautiful with old leaves, young leaves, dried leaves, fruit, heart, trunk, all very interesting with lot of colors.

Even with the limited, neutral palette Itmoy uses complementary hues. Those greens of the banana tree and pale tan skies are a good choice because they visually increase the painting texturally interesting piece while adding to the emotion or feeling of the scene.

Suddenly we see,everything is a little more deliberate, too, as if the artist had a longer time to linger here, perhaps in the shade of those trees. The paintings are magnificently picturesque and conversing with the viewer.

The concept of the Banana tree ,illustrated in ItmoyTjiong painting, in a bold and original manner takes us into a different world of unity and growth .The swirling branches and the tangles of such branches, Banana fruits and flowers captured in most unique way, suggesting the perpetuity of life, give the viewer a glimpse of the language and essence of the tree. The branches twist, twirl, turn, and undulate, creating an expression of life’s complexity with beauty. With its branches reaching for the sky, the tree roots into the earth beneath, creating the cosmicconnection between life and earth.

Tjiong Itmoy,loves to paint the Banana trees and also explains us why she chose the subject as her experession of art .Few words exchanged with her give us an exclusive insight on the brilliance of this amazing artist.

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STAR: You can’t open the website these days without reading about on the social networking like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc . Where is this all leading and how far is the artist in you been benefited?

ITMOY.T: The Internet is nothing new. It has been happening for many years. But FB and other social net-

works do have helped me a bit in sharing my works and connecting to other artists. When I get good feedback from others, I feel inspired.Also, I have benefitted with the interaction with others and getting to know about a lot of things, which otherwise wouldn’t be possible But in my creativity, I totally trust my intuition and my observation.

STAR:What is your inspiration for your series of paintings?

ITMOY.T:My next project also involves working with more different shapes and composition and the banana tree is my inspiration.It never seems to run out my mind for creating various compositions .

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

STAR: What mediums do you work in and why?

ITMOY.T: I do not face much of obsta-

ITMOY.T: I love to work with water colors as they do not pose any danger to health.I dislike oil. This will surprise anyone who knows my preferences in paintings. I love the detail.

Lots of it! For years, my port of motto has been painting the Banana tree, that looks like they live and breathe.

cles because most of the people have liked my works.My works are almost instantaneously sold out and I have many collectors in this world from various countries. I keep on painting in my leisure and it is a continuous process.But it’s that immediacy, I think, which allows the artist’s experience, in that place, to seep into the artwork itself.My artworks get sold as soon they are created.

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STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

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ITMOY.T: There are many interesting things I

would like to share, but the ones which happened surprisingly come to my mind.I was born in a family who followed Buddhism, but later in life, I got married to a Muslim man and converted to that religion.I studied economics and wanted to be an economics teacher, but I had to work as an English teacher in a high school. When I got married I was just a housewife and a mother to my son. At the age of 45, I never thought my life change drastically from an ordinary housewife to a professional painter and later become famous as the only women painter in Indonesia to paint the banana tree as subject and perhaps the only one in the world.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ITMOY.T: I think passion and dedication towards your work are very much important.Work gives me immense satisfaction. Each artist should be liberated to create shaped forms of their own creation for their own works. To think outside of the box.

Though I must admit in all my years of dedication to this whole idea of Banana tree paintings, I have put a lot of effort and love.

STAR: What is your favorite experience as an artist?

ITMOY.T: When I was exhibiting along with

other artists in a famous gallery of Indonesia in Jakarta, One of the art buyer or collector, who is a well-known personality and an art lover wanted to buy 11 works including mine. He asked me to give a discount on the price of my work as it was much higher compared to that of my friends or otherwise he wouldn’t buy others works too. Finally, When I agreed, he bought all the works of the artists. This made them happy and I too as my decision could help them.

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STAR: Why are you so passionate about ART?

STAR: What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

ITMOY.T: Once I started painting professional-

ITMOY.T: I love success in my life and hate

ly, I was very glad, that my works got recognition quickly and admiration and I received good value.

This way I could help my family and other people.And When others appreciate my works, I feel thankful to them for encouraging and appreciating. It’s a great honor for me.Art gives me happiness and fills my days with great contentment.

STAR: What advice would you give to someone starting out?

ITMOY.T: Being true to what you want to do.

Do not necessarily listen to those around you who offer you advice about what to paint. You will know in your heart that you are onto a good thing.

Never give up. Unless you are going bankrupt trying to break into the market, Just keep doing what you do.

Always be professional. Be known as a good artist, but it is just as important to be known as a reliable, efficient and pleasant artist too.

STAR: What is the role of an artist in our society?

ITMOY.T: There is no meaning, either in art

or in society, without participation.A work of art cannot exist without the artist.A work of an artist is an expressing medium which allows sharing ideas, feelings, message to the society and it is also serving the purpose to increase the aesthetic beauty of the surroundings. Art is an invitation to become part of something that is larger than yourself.When we engage our viewers, it shows our connectivity to the world.

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failure.But always we learn something from both.

STAR: Can you throw some light on your subject.How it helped you reach the global market?

ITMOY.T: As I felt that this would give me a stronger identity in what is a competitive global market, I chose to paint the Banana tree as I had never seen anyone painting it my way.It is totally my idea and thought and I feel happy now I chose it.

The philosophy of banana tree is unique and closely related to our life.I loved observing how the tree endures and grows. - Banana trees do not die before giving a fruit, it makes sure its presence in the world benefits life before it dies.The trees live in clusters giving us the message of unity.All the parts of a banana tree have some purpose and are of great medicinal value to the human. If we observe and we take the example or examples of the life of banana trees into our lives every day, it will form human thinkers, activists, and successful people.

My works have received tremendous response from art lovers so that why each work produced by me is always sold out. I have a lot of collectors in the country.

Collectors by saying that they collect my work as an investment have motivated me enough and Knowing the response so unusual, the burning spirit to continue to work with the total dedication continues to me.

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To have this caliber of art ItmoyTjiong is probably one of our greatest Indonesian artists, having won many awards and accomplishments.

Her paintings are in important private, corporate and public collections in Indonesia and abroad.With a calm and a cheerful demeanor, she never seems to stop surprising us with her achievements and unforgettable Banana tree paintings!

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Title: My Pretty Banana Tree

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alka

“An artist can where on one hand groom the society and helping it to broaden its mindset by representations of new concepts; on the other hand, she can create agitations and protests too through her visual depictions via satire in paintings, cartoons and posters�

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c h a d h a

Nostalgic Expressions Born and brought up in a progressive middle-class family of Punjab, Alka was confronted with a great contrast of cultures. After completing BFA in Painting from College of Arts Chandigarh, she had to go to Banaras for pursuing a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. The immense pressure of a conservative and conventional society of Varanasi exposed her to myriad aspects of Hindu religion. It added positive charm to her personality, which became a perfect blend of conventions and modernism and this condensation of sensations started getting imprinted in her paintings.

Whether for sunrise or sunsets, walk to the Ghats, the essence of tea in Kuladhs, multifaceted religion, the chakra of life and death - brought Alka more close to reality and nature and enhanced the sensitivity as an artist. She started writing poetry and gradually her paintings became an intense concoction of words and images. All this paved a way out to carve her name on ‘Art’-scape as a painter, poet, and researcher and form her own signature not only in U.P but also Punjab – ‘2 states’ of which she is made of!!

Alka’s believes in Paul Cezanne’s saying: “A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” Her thoughts are impregnated with the colored profundity of space enriched with feelings. Her life has been a journey of explorations and realizations, where the theme of ‘Pages of my diary’ played a role of her confidante and her creative reflections on every page. She enjoys a rendezvous with herself. In her paintings, one can come across journeys, imprints of Varanasi, reminiscences, nostalgia and misprints. Misprints are the symbolic representation of numerous failures which add to one’s success as a learning process. That’s how the concept of ‘Something or nothing’ came forward in her paintings. The present series of painting is on ‘WE’...it is Alka’s post marriage series and reflects the experiences of a new phase of life.

Alka’s papers have been published in various national and international journals and she has many exhibitions, seminars, and workshop to her credit.

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Title : Steps Together 1 42

Title : Steps Together 2 43

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STAR: What artists inspire you? What is the source of inspiration?

ALKA.C : I have been impressed by myriad

things of numerous artists like ornamental background of Klimt; strokes charged with emotions of Van Gogh; movement in lines of Degas; endless possibilities of accidental flow of colour in Pollock’s work; frottage of Max Ernst; visual repetition of Andy Warhol; assemblages of Picasso; linear energy of Paul Klee etc. I like the self-portraits of Frida Kahlo, installations of Vivan Sundaram, symbolic representations of Arpana Caur, boldness in the display of Anish Kapoor, the performance of Ein Lal & Ratnabali Kant, rhythmic lines of Jatin Das etc.

Besides my experiences, even a simple thing can inspire me. It can be a flower, an envelope, boats, birds or even a calendar. I then use these elements by molding them in my style in my painting by connecting them to my theme.

STAR: When did you become an artist?

ALKA.C: I was inclined towards art since my

childhood. I got a chance to pursue arts and do BFA in painting from College of Arts, Chandigarh from 1991-95. Later on, I went to Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi for MFA (1995-97) & Ph.D. (awarded in 2004). The specialization kept on pushing me on the track of creativity and made me an artist.

STAR: Why are you so passionate about art?

ALKA.C: I used to be very shy and writing po-

etry and painting were my favorite mediums for venting out my feelings. Gaze went inwards. Expression through visual representation and creating new thoughts through words helped in making my own art language. My art is something I ‘feel’; and feeling brings passion in me.

STAR:What do you love about life and what do you hate?

ALKA.C: I believe in the motto: “Take life as

it comes.” Instead of grumbling about something which I don’t have, I believe in counting my blessings. I hate hypocrisy and deception .

STAR: What mediums do you work in and why?

ALKA.C: I love working in mixed media – acryl-

ics, dry pastels, drawing inks, markers, collage etc.

Varied mediums trigger my imagination and coax me to explore myriad possibilities in my expression. I sometimes install a related object along with my paintings to create a visual dialogue between object, painting, and spectator.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

ALKA.C: The only obstacle in making my art is

sometimes clogging of too many thoughts together.

While exhibiting the artwork, these days’ galleries are becoming so expensive that one has to think twice for exhibiting the work frequently. Sponsorship is also difficult to avail. The market is slow so there is very rare chance of one’s work getting sold.

STAR: What are the favorite works you have created?

ALKA.C: I love my series on ‘Travelling’, where

I posted railway and platform tickets in my paintings for an apt expression. ‘Imprints of Varanasi’ made me explore traditional elements, which touched the cords of my spiritual streak. This series has a collage of Holy Scriptures supporting the elements of ‘ghats’, ‘kalash’, ritualistic red and orange shades with scribbles of Mantras in the background. ‘Memory bag’ consists of a collection of memories of the time spent in Chandigarh and Varanasi. ‘Nostalgia’ shows cassette and tape recorder depicting my memories of the time which will never return in this era of technology. I love my latest work ‘unfinished story: you & me’. It is a therapeutic expression for me, which expresses the experience of a miscarriage of twin babies. Infant mannequin installed along with two small paintings reflecting symbols of a baby adds another dimension to the story where no words are needed to understand the theme. The infant has been painted in pink and blue shades with a few wordings written over it. The butterfly is the symbol of flying in dreams, a wish!!

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STAR : What are you working on now? And what are your plans for the future?

ALKA.C : I usually work on my feelings, experiences and memories. My current series is ‘WE’ – which includes the elements from my life after marriage and bonding of the phase. It is a reflection of love, friendship, motherhood/ conception of a baby and even little mementos of this new twist in my life. As the world of imagination and creativity is boundless, I would like to merge boundaries of different mediums and introduce installation more often along with my paintings to support the theme. I want to engage the emotions of the spectator, by inviting them to dwell imaginatively by delimitation of any line between them and art, so that they can reach out and identify with the objects surrounding them. . Like Vincent Van Gogh said: “As practice makes perfect, I cannot but make progress; each drawing one makes, each study one paints, is a step forward.”

STAR : What mediums do you work in and why?

ALKA.C : I love working in mixed media – acrylics, dry pastels, drawing inks, markers, collage etc. Varied mediums trigger my imagination and coax me to explore myriad possibilities in my expression. I sometimes install a related object along with my paintings to create a visual dialogue between object, painting and spectator.

STAR : What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

ALKA.C : The only obstacle in making my art is sometimes clogging of too many thoughts together. Practically, I enjoy exploring whatever medium comes my way. All the mediums I use are easily available.

While exhibiting the art work, these days’ galleries are becoming so expensive that one has to think twice for exhibiting the work frequently. Sponsorship is also difficult to avail. Market is slow so there is very rare chance of one’s work getting sold.

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STAR: What is your inspiration for this series of painting?

STAR: What style of art would you classify your art?

ALKA.C: Nostalgia, memories, ‘something or

ALKA.C: It’s really difficult to classify one’s

nothing’, love, friendship etc. - all the reflected separately or even together in one frame at a few places in my paintings. My own experiences – positive or negative, events in my life, and simple things around me – all inspire me to express myself through my art which is an amalgamation of images and calligraphy that acts as a design in the background. My paintings are like a pictorial diary to me, in a way, where each page reflects similar or varied thought and stimulates the imagination further. My current series ‘WE’ is an articulation of numerous ideas, which crop in my mind from my bond after marriage. The act of putting things on paper is a psychological or emotional effort for me. What I draw or paint is what I feel. In this series one can see love birds, dates of the calendar which matter, house number plate, self-portrait, sand watch, a reflection of miscarriage through an installation of a baby mannequin with painting etc.

The love, companionship and good and tough experiences inspire me. Like Alwin Nikolais said: “I like to mix my magic’s.”

STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

ALKA.C: My work has been bought mostly by

private collectors. Continuous participation in National and International group shows and workshop brought my work to notice and the word spread via family and friends. Some of the collectors are Randolph Williams, Head of Painting Deptt., Manhattanville College, New York (USA); S.K. Kanwar, Former CMD, New India Assurance, Mumbai; Dr. Tirthankar Bhattacharya, Coordinator, Dept of History of Art, Panjab University, Chandigarh; Mr. M.K. Aggarwal, MD Gati Cargo, Secunderabad (Hyderabad) A.P.; Govt Museum, Shaheed Smarag, Meerut; Sahitya Sanskriti Parishad, CCS University, Meerut; Dept. of Visual Art, HP University, Shimla; Nav Siddhartha Group, Delhi etc.

work in a particular style, especially in this era of experimentation. I think I can term it to ‘Expressionism’ – where for an apt expression I use mixed media to integrate my sensations into coherent painterly forms, where one can see intensification, clarification, and interpretation of experiences in various degrees. The brushwork is a declaration of my personal freedom where mixed media supports me in creating visual variety. In a few words, it’s a correspondence between feeling, form, and technique, where my painting continues to change and grow at every step. The whole essence is to work the subject down to simplest form despite reflecting complex emotions or experiences. Like John Berger said- “Drawing is a way of coming upon the connection between things, just like metaphor in poetry reconnects what has been separated.”

STAR: How did your art become so famous?

ALKA.C: I’m an Assistant professor in a Post-

graduate College. My field kept me continuously involved in seminars, workshop, exhibitions, symposiums etc. In the process, my work started getting recognized due to uniqueness with my personal symbols, mixed media and use of script and collage in my paintings. Gradually my poetry became a part of the visual representation. The text became the element of design in composition. Studying in Art colleges paved out a way to come in touch with renowned artists and working with them in workshop and participations in various exhibitions with them gradually helped me in forming my own signature

STAR: Could you tell us about some interesting facts about your life?

ALKA.C: My life has been a journey. I studied in

Chandigarh and Banaras and then got a job also in Meerut. I had to travel frequently to my hometown Ludhiana. Not to forget to go to different places for attending seminars and workshop. I used to call myself ‘Alka on wheels’.

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STAR: Tell us something about your studio.

ALKA C: My studio is a small unit full of cozy corners where everything placed has its own

story. The books and brushes angled in pottery adorn the base of the wooden console with technology reflected in form of laptop over the table top with my calligraphic pens. The painting adds color to the wall and a board always has one or the other paper fixed it with some unfinished work.

The sliding windows bring in perfect ambiance when it’s cool and rainy. The air gets charged with the earthen fragrance. For me, there is no compulsory paraphernalia needed. I can work anywhere where I feel comfortable. In my studio “there’s a place for everything and everything is in its place.” Next, to one window, my studio has two small Ottomans and a string with photographs fixed by wooden pegs. I like the ethnic setup blended well with the contemporary.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ALKA.C : Identifying with creation : Not to create just as per market demand and turn artwork into a fad. : Experimentation : Exploiting the accidental. : To accept criticism in a healthy way as the perception of the artist may vary to that of the viewer. : Being true to oneself and the creation.

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STAR: What is your average day like?

ALKA.C: I’m an Assistant Professor in Meerut but on leave

right now. I’m working from home, writing e-papers and doing content writing of demonstrations by renowned artists for an MHRD project of Dayal bagh University, Agra. My day passes managing research work with sketching, doodling a few ideas for painting and sometimes reading and writing poetry too. In short, it’s a contented creative day.

STAR: Any other forms of creativity which inspire you?

ALKA.C: I like to write poetry and read books. Listening to music and aesthetically and frequently making changes in interiors of my home is in the list of my passions too.

STAR: What is your favorite experience as an artist?

ALKA.C: While I was pursuing my Ph.D., I had exhibited

my work in Banaras. It was highly appreciated by Randy Williams, Head of painting dept., Manhattan Ville College, New York and his wife Julie Broglin. He being an artist himself didn’t hesitate in buying my painting. That gesture touched my heart and encouraged the artist in me.

Another amazing experience was an artist camp in Nainital. It was organized by Aurobindo Society. I didn’t have any experience with the meditation and the routine followed by them.

But it was a blessing for me. The rare experiences like this enlighten one and force one to look inwards. Everything looks pious and I could feel an aura where minor things were not troubling me and I could handle them in a balanced way. The spiritual aspect got awakened in me.

STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

ALKA.C: My only advice is not to make art a fad. Usually, upcoming artists look for a short cut and lose their identity by following the styles of established artists. Their motive should be to be original, by absorbing the ideas from the artists who inspire them and bring out those inspirations in their own style and not vomit them out exactly the same.

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laura

m o r r i s o n

Stunning Landscapes

Laura Morrison is a young versatile artist

from Canada and is recently married.She calls the Kootenays her home for seven years. Originally from Sparwood B.C, she moved to Kamloops B.C when she was 10 but had always known that she would somehow make it back to the mountains.

Her love for the mountains and the amazing scenery within B.C always manages to make it into her artwork. She graduated from Thompson River’s University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a focus in painting. For her graduating exhibition, she worked through a series of paintings that took relationships with technology and nature and found a way to make them work together as one. She took organisms like cancer cells and extreme close-ups of other organic items like leaves and moss and abstracted them into works where the materials and process she used outweighed the actual imagery. After school, she spent some time working on smaller process-based abstract pieces. She put the focus on what happens during the making of the works and the reactions between solvents, oils and the pigments themselves. This was a good way to let go of control since the works almost never come out looking the way you left them when they were dry.

“More recently I’ve rediscovered my love for the landscape. Using photographs of my adventures around all the amazing places to hike, I’ve been working on many local landmarks within the Kootenays as well as going back into photos from when I’d go hiking around Kamloops.

As well as painting, I also really enjoy photography and always have a camera of some type be it my cell phone, my husband’s DSLR, or my 35.mm Pentax by my side. Most – if not all of my landscapes are painted from a photograph that I have taken. Everything I see I envision as a painting, so the camera just helps me remember what I see. I find it more fulfilling to put my energy into a painting when the entire composition is my own.

My primary medium of choice has been acrylic and acrylic texture building mediums. I do, however, love to paint with oils; I just find them to be a better medium for larger more time- consuming works. My grandmother was also an artist; she too was always painting her surroundings. I have always seen the time I spend painting as time spent with her. As I kid I used to come home from school and watch Bob Ross with her while I waited for my mom to come get us”. She Says!

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STAR: What is your inspiration behind your paintings?

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LAURA.M: As I am an ardent lover of nature.I draw my inspi-

ration from the surroundings.I live in a beautiful country and the landscapes here are a feast for my eyes.I try to paint on the spot.

Usually, we see things, especially how different types of light, atmosphere, and weather affect our visual perception. I study this concept by painting the same subject, usually very simple, in varying times of day and types of weather and in different seasons.

STAR: When did you become an artist and what makes you passionate about art?

LAURA.M: I’ve been drawing and coloring for as long as I can

remember. My first sketchbook was given to me at the age of 6. I loved to draw, paint rocks and create anything I could.

Art is a form of self-expression and for me, it has always been part of my life. Art gives a unique perspective to the world through the artist’s eyes, like an alternate reality.

STAR: What artists inspire you.What is the source of inspiration?

LAURA.M: I’m inspired by all kinds of artists, from landscape

to abstract. Art to me is so varied and so beautiful that I’m drawn to all kinds. A few artists I’m inspired by are Heather Pant, a fellow Canadian landscape artist who does absolutely stunning landscapes with bold colours and incredible movements. A brilliant artist I’m inspired by is Jana Milne, another Canadian artist.

STAR: What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?

LAURA.M: Currently I’m working on finishing the final two

pieces to my 8 piece series. I held a photo submission contest for images from around Canada. I received an overwhelming amount of photos so it was difficult to pick so I ended up choosing 8 to work from. I later did a draw from those names and the winner got a free 16x20 painting of their choice.

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Title : Backyard Fruitvale

That was a lot of fun to work on. I have also watercolour pieces as a side project for my w ing packages of postcards and greeting cards plans for the future are to continue to do my w to put together party packages for wine and p

been working on some website. I will be addin the near future. My watercolour works and paint nights in my area.

STAR: What mediums do you like to work with and why?

LAURA.M: Mostly I’ve been working in acrylics simply due to convenience. I don’t have the proper ventilation in my studio to work in oils exclusively. I love working in all paint mediums though. As of lately I’ve really been enjoying working in watercolours. It’s a new medium for me so it’s been a lot of trial and error and learning new techniques.

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STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

LAURA.M: I'm always trying to challenge myself with my work so that I'm continuously growing and evolving. An obstacle I face locally is trying to show my work. We have annual art walks each summer in the three surrounding towns, I've had my work featured in two of them in the last few years. I hope to have some of my new stuff featured in this year's upcoming walk.

There aren't a lot of places to show my work other than the few shows they offer each year. I rely mostly on my features online, on my website and through word of mouth.

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STAR: What are your favourite works you have created?

LAURA.M: When I did my graduating exhibition for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009 I did a series of works that spoke to the relationship between nature and technology. I did a large scale painting of a landscape from one of my Sunday hikes and took a verse from a poem about nature by William Wordsworth and translated it to binary code.

I hid the code in the smoke in the landscape and added a tiny mouse pointer in the trees. The painting itself is 4 feet by 6 feet, and was nominated for the Bank of Montreal art competition that year. This was one of my first large works and it has become one of my most favorite pieces. It was also the piece that broke my block and allowed me to just paint what came to mind. I had spent a lot of time being stuck on work that I wasn’t really inspired by. I took this piece and ran with it and it led me in a great direction.

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STYRTISTS Title:Trail Airport STAR: What is your average day like?

LAURA.M: My day usually starts with coffee. ;)

I start my day by coming up with a daily plan – what I’m going to work on that day, what needs to be completed, set a few weekly goals etc. Lately, I’ve been trying to make sure I spend a couple hours a day creating. Since my studio isn’t at my home, I tend to work on smaller projects like my watercolor pieces.

Studio days I tend to just work on larger paintings. Being active on social media is also part of my “job” as an artist so I try to dedicate specific time slots to writing blog posts, updating my website, posting progress photos of my paintings, engaging with followers and fans, and looking for inspiration.

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STAR : Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

LAURA.M : Keep going. Being an art-

ist isn’t something that happens over night, nor is it something that will come easy. It takes work, and repetition. The best thing you can do is to keep creating. If you’re stuck or unhappy with your work, make MORE work. The more you do the better you will get. Everyone has to start somewhere and we tend to give up just before something great happens. Focus on your own work and DO NOT compare yourself to someone else. Everyone is on their own journey and no two journeys are the same, so why should our work be the same? I think the differences in everyone’s work is what makes it so beautiful. It can be discouraging at times but if you power through, and stay true to who you are and never stop creating, great things can happen. Remember – some of the master artists didn’t get their break until well into their adult lives.

STAR: What other forms of creativity do you like?

LAURA.M: I love photography, writing,

and at times, sketching. I am also an avid colour addict. I’m like a kid with their colouring books. I find it’s such a great way to clear your mind and stay creative. I always have a couple pages on the go.

STAR : What is your favourite experience as an artist?

LAURA.M : The feeling you get when

you take a chance and step out of your comfort zone and submit your work for a call for artists and end up having your work selected. This was a new thing for me and as uncomfortable as it made me to put myself out there it has paid off more than once. Its important to push yourself because you just never know what could be out there for you.

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STYRTISTS STAR: What is your inspiration behind your paintings?

LAURA.M: As I am an ardent lover of nature.I draw my inspiration from the surround-

ings.I live in a beautiful country and the landscapes here are a feast for my eyes .I try to paint on the spot .Usually we see things, especially how different types of light, atmosphere, and weather affect our visual perception. I study this concept by painting the same subject, usually very simple, in varying times of day and types of weather and in different seasons.

STAR: How did your artworks become famous?

LAURA.M: I’m not sure any of my work is necessarily famous...yet ;) But my work gets the most exposure on my social feeds. I have generated quite the following of my work on Twitter though.

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STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

LAURA.M: Marketing myself has taken a lot of research and work over the past

couple years. I participate in online chats to help branch out to other groups of people, I engage in conversations around art, inspiration, challenges and just general discussions.

I try to be transparent and as active as I can be to ensure people who follow me know I’m a real person and have real points of view.

Selling my work was a bit of a challenge before I really had my websites set up to do so. I rely pretty heavily on online sales as there isn’t a very large market for art where I live. I have held auctions, sales and other promotions with some success. I hope that with my new website and some of my new projects that I will see an increase in sales.

STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

LAURA.M: Over the years I have grown to call my work vivid landscapes. All of my

pieces are bold and brightly colored, often much brighter than the original photo I use as a reference. My painting style is evolving in each piece I do. I would describe my work as painterly as I’ve not focused on the details so much as the brush strokes I use to create lines and values.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

LAURA.M: With the age of the internet there are so many people who choose not to

be authentic or true to who they actually are as a person when they create their online persona. As an artist, I want to be sure that what I put out is true to who I am. I value the connections I make through my art, I want to be sure that those connections are genuine. I also think there is a bit of a stigma around artists helping artists. Since everyone’s perspective is so varied I think it’s important to use each other to help us all grow and create better work. The stuck up, nose in the air type artist personality won’t get very far in a world that relies so heavily on networking.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

LAURA.M: They say an artist is the child who survived. The creative mind is some-

thing that tends to get pushed aside the older we get. Art is usually one of the first subjects to be cut in school funding, more often than not creatives are also told “you can’t make a living at being an artist.” Encouraging creativity, allowing the inner child to be who they feel they are inside is so important. It fills my heart to see so many people out there making art and keeping that dream alive. Society needs more of us out there. Art makes the world a more beautiful place and with so much hate and negativity out there, it’s encouraging to see people still choosing to focus on what makes the world beautiful.

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manasi m e n o n “The large canvas of the wall motivates me to explore styles that I may have never done otherwise. “

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The unspoken connections

Manasi Menon is a self-taught artist based in Bangalore, although she is professionally an architect her first love always has been art.She first started experimenting with oil on canvas a few years ago and then made a transition to acrylics. Recently she started dappling with wall paintings.

“The large canvas of the wall motivates me to explore styles that I may have never done otherwise.

I find inspiration for my art through the unspoken connections between people, places, and traditions.

During my travels whenever I find myself still with a stare I know it’s time to find my canvas and let go”. She Says.

Manasi continues to look at the connection between the human habitat and the natural world with her latest paintings.She subtly hints the relation between routine to natural scenery and also tells us about the delicate, yet strong connectivity between the human and an animal.

While at first glance Manasi surprises us with her bold usage of colors but at closer inspection, there is an unexpected depth beneath the bright, energetic palette – something that feels both timeless and fleeting. Her paintings compellingly seem to talk and I couldn’t resist talking to her and finding some interesting facts behind this young progressive thinker.

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STYRTISTS STAR: What artists inspire you.What is the source of inspiration?

MANASI.S: I get inspired by artists who are pioneers of a technique/style like van Gogh, Henry Matisse, Gustav klimt, a contemporary artist like Carrie Moyer and Damien Hirst.

Their artwork inspires me to someday find a style and make it my own.

STAR: When did you discover you were an artist?

MANASI.M I have been painting ever since I was a child. Although I started painting with acrylic on canvas only five years back. Now I have also started doing wall paintings, I find the large canvas that a wall provides very exciting.

STAR: Why are you so passionate about ART? MANASI.M: I am inspired by people and

places when I travel and so art is a way for me to express my love for the place and to relive the moment.

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STAR: What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

MANASI.M: More than my work, I

love my family and my close friends. I find solace in spending time with them and those moments are what I love about life.

I don’t really hate anything about life, there are tough moments that I am able to overcome because of the support of the people I love.

STAR: What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?

MANASI.M: I’m working on wall mu-

rals/ paintings and also constantly looking for new ideas and inspiration for another series. I hope to continue on this path that I am on and frankly, I hope to make a living out of my artwork because there would be nothing like it!

STAR: What mediums do you work in and why?

MANASI.M: I mostly work with acrylics because I like that they help me work at a pace that I like. I am also thinking of doing mixed media work soon.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

STAR:What are your favourite works you have created?

MANASI.M:I have two favourites so far, one is of an elephant being transported during a temple festival in Kerala, and the beast was getting off a truck that it was brought to the temple in that was a very amusing and strange sight.

The second is of a vintage magazine store in Soho, London that had a very quirky store front also the store was fascinating with all the vintage prints and copies of superhero comics.

STAR:What is your average day like?

MANASI.M:The average day is waking up, taking

MANASI.M As a woman multitask-

ing is something we all have to do and so managing my time taking care of my daughter, the home and my work is an everyday challenge.

care of my little one till the nanny comes and then getting a few hours of painting, then about half hour corresponding with various people. Once the nanny leaves in the evening I play with my daughter, feed her and put her to bed, after which me and my husband unwind, talk and call it a day!

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STAR: What other forms of creativity do you like?

MANASI.M: I love cooking and dancing! The latter, however, doesn’t happen on a daily basis, but I try and cook on weekends whenever I have people over.

STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

MANASI.M: Don’t over think anything. Go out and there and

do it! And things will roll automatically. Most often I find the little things you do have the best outcome and so don’t underestimate any opportunity that comes your way.

STAR: What is your favorite experience as an artist?

MANASI.M: The start of any painting is not the best for me, but

after a few hours I really get into the groove and the paint all seems to come together like magic and that’s a lovely moment when you see what you have imagined actually turning out the way you wanted it to.

STAR: What other things have inspired you?

MANASI.M: It’s all from different and strange things I have seen while traveling.

STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

MANASI.M: I really don’t know how to classify my work... I feel like I’m still trying to find my own style.

STAR:Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

MANASI.M: I’m professionally an architect, I have worked for a bit as one and want to do so again along with my art.

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STYRTISTS STAR: What is your inspiration for your this series of paintings?

MANASI.M: It is all from different and strange things I have seen while traveling. During my travel, I got inspired to capture few moments and scenes happening around me and then painted them on my canvas. I love to capture the simplicity and the essence of the moments and when I have done my work well, I feel happy.

STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

MANASI.M: I have sold some of my works to my clients and in my circle of friends and family.

Though I haven’t tried social marketing sites, I wish to do so in future soon!

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STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

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MANASI.M: Having new experiences and viewing work of other artists is very

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important.these two things help you open your mind and helps to get your creative juices flowing.I also find to enjoy the process of painting is integral to work as an artist. Sometimes being an artist can be very stressful especially before the exhibitions, but I can face the stress because I enjoy the process.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

MANASI.M: Artists help people have experiences that they would not have in

their daily lives and it helps people broaden their view on life, places, and lives of other people in this world.

Art in our history of distinct geographical location has given us an elaborate insight into the different cultures that we would otherwise have no knowledge of. Art also tells us more about the artist than the society and culture that surrounds them sometimes...

Considering the influence of art on our society, from the days when cave walls were daubed with rich mud to show animals and primitive people, artists have used their medium to show things to others. You could say that the role of the artists is in part to describe life, but also to illuminate and shed light on aspects that may otherwise be missed in the broader sense.

STAR: What is your opinion about social media, its influence upon art and an artist?

MANASI.M: Social media is not so much helpful or encourage production as participation, and its value is measured in the feedbacks of others People post to receive instant feedback gratification. But it depends on how they do that, like commenting, making friends, sharing images of artworks.It varies across platforms like Facebook or Pinterest or Twitter or any other platform that an artist is able to reach and the response to such posts too consequently would go by statistics of the responses by others.

While some artists and non-artists are interested in influencing these flows of feedback, the feedback mechanisms themselves can be aestheticised, either by working with or against them.An artist or art lover is completely at freedom to some extent in expressing views on social media.It is always a mixed response or feedback.Burr, I am glad that through social media, I could connect to various artists and connect to the Start’tists magazine.

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ANUJA

“ When passion and skill work together,the end result is often a masterpiece”

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Redefining Ethnic Art

Goddess Lakshmi, Ink and acrylic on Paper

Artist Anuja Sapkale is born and brought up in Mumbai. She is one of India’s

acclaimed contemporary painters. She has exhibited her works in many Art shows in the city of Mumbai and they have put her in great demand, but her quiet demeanor means that glimpses into her artistic inclination and her approach can be few and far between.

She is inspired by the great traditional and ethnic Madhubani art of India and continues to bring in more colorful and beautiful version of ethnic art.

Looking at her works, we could not resist taking some of her time to talk to her and know more about her works, her thoughts and her passion for art.She answered a few questions of mine, shedding some light, on an even more beautiful subject.

The illuminating presence of these contrasting, though complimentary, motifs of style and transcending tradition, drafts an ironic sense of harmony and balance, and in doing so, offers a deeper appreciation for the onlooker to explore and understand the simplicity and beauty of her art.

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STAR : What artists inspire you .What is the source of inspiration.

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ANUJA.S: My work has drawn an inspiration from Madhubani paintings. Its bright colours

attracted me. Madhubani painting has origin from the place called Mithila region of India and Nepal. Painting are usually done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments .They have unique and decorative too. Mostly geometrical patterns and symbolic characters are used particularly depicting the ritualistic and traditional culture of India ,such as birth or marriage, and festivals, such as Holi, Kali Puja, Durga Puja and other importants aspects of our tradition .I am drawn to the indian tradition and felt the subject and style stimulating enough to explore further .

STAR: What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?

ANUJA.S: I am working on black and white designs now. In future, I want to create more attractive and inspiring works with bright colors and also natural pigments.I wish to experiment with colors and develop more beautiful designs.

STAR: When did you become an artist?

ANUJA.S: I started professionally painting 3 years ago, but have been into art since my childhood.

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STAR: Why are you so passionate about ART? ANUJA.S: When I start my work, I am totally lost in imagination and my thought process to create.I enjoy my work. It takes a lot of time to complete a single piece of painting because of the detailing. But I love every minute of the time I spend working on it. It keeps me focused, detail oriented and very passionate till the end.

STAR : What mediums do you work in and why?

ANUJA.S: I use fevicryl acrylic

colors, nib. Because these colors are bright and perfect for my work.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ANUJA.S: Passion and Vision.The artists have to discover a

convention for themselves, one that fits his particular individuality.Definitely a creative artist, she comprehends life and its significance.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

ANUJA.S: Some of my paintings are huge and bulky, so it’s tough to store them and transportation is an issue.

While I am painting, I cannot afford to lose the time in waiting, as the paint dries quickly and I need to stay focused for hours on my work at a stretch, working on small and minute details, it is a tedious process. I cannot afford to repeat mistakes. .Though it has built my patience and ability to paint for long, sometimes it is stressful to the eyes. But finally, when the outcome is great, it gives me true satisfaction.

STAR: What are your favorite works you have created?

ANUJA.S: All my works are my

favorites (smiles) Like the Radha-Krishna series occupy my heart and soul.

The goddess Lakshmi painting, I enjoyed working on this latest one!

STAR : What is your average day like?

ANUJA.S : My family is my

first priority .My morning starts with cooking for family. As the day progresses I finish my routine work.

Then I indulge in my creativity.

Always trying to create new works.

It has become my daily routine. It gives me tremendous happiness

STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

ANUJA.S: The more I got involved with art the more I

started appreciating art, not only my work but other people’s work also inspired me. Being a homemaker and pursuing my dream as an artist was also a challenge but the support and appreciation gave me the strength to keep working on my dream 85

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STYRTISTS STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

STAR: What is your inspiration for this series of paintings?

ANUJA.S: I draw my inspiration from ethnic

ANUJA.S: Nature inspires my work. Com-

art and our rich culture.

STAR: What other forms of creativity do you like?

ANUJA.S: Abstract and landscape paint-

ing.Though I do not paint them much, I am impressed with the presentation of particular thought as an abstract expression. I love nature, so connect to landscapes naturally.

pleting a painting inspires me to do another. Something I believe strongly in or value spiritual, religious, philosophy, ethic, etc. I feel there is a story behind every creation.

STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

ANUJA.S: Maybe because people appreciate

STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

ANUJA.S: When passion and skill work

together, the end result is often a masterpiece.

the detailing and the amount of effort I put in my work.

STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

ANUJA.S: Ethnic Art.I draw my inspiration from ethnic art and our rich culture.

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STAR: Can you explain a bit of the story behind your series of paintings?

ANUJA.S: Most of my work has drawn inspiration from Madhubani paintings.In my Radha -

Krishna paintings I have mostly shown the chemistry between them; Krishna’s mischevious behavior towards Radha and the love between them. The gopikas celebrate the love between Radha-Krishna in Rasa Leela. They are singing and dancing around Radha - Krishna.

Then I’ve shown harmony between flora and fauna in my tree of life paintings. The spreading branches of a tree of life shelters birds and animals who live together in peace.

Goddess Durga, also known as Devi -Shakti referred to as “Triyambake”-meaning The three-eyed goddess.The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents an action (the sun), and the central eye represents knowledge (fire). In my Durga - painting I have concentrated more on her eyes and her face to replicate the bright and powerful image of Durga.

Goddess Lakshmi is known as the goddess of wealth, fortune, and prosperity. I have shown colorful elephants around goddess Lakshmi. In my other artworks I have shown the day to day activities of Indian women like - sacred visit to the temple,women bringing water from the river and gossiping by the river-side while returning home I’ve also shown a King and Queen riding on a Camel in the beautiful moonlight in a dessert covered with sand dunes.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

ANUJA.S: Artists role is to spread awareness in the society.They can create the social and en-

vironmental awareness, along with aesthetic awareness.To promote art and its beauty in a much distraught world for better future. They can spread happiness through their painting in society.

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STAR: How did your artworks become famous?

ANUJA.S: Social media played an important part

and provided a platform for me to spread my work among family and friends. Other than that participating in events and exhibitions related to art also drew people more towards my work.

STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

ANUJA.S: The more I got involved with art the

more I started appreciating art, not only my work but other people’s work also inspired me. Being a homemaker and pursuing my dream as an artist was also a challenge but the support and appreciation gave me the strength to keep working on my dream.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ANUJA.S: Passion and Vision. When I am working on my painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing.

It is only after a while I am comfortable with my chosen subject and work period that I see what I have created and accomplished. It’s a constant effort that builds the confidence in artist and quality of art.

STAR: What are your future plans about your art?

ANUJA.S: In the near future, I am planning to ex-

hibit in and around Mumbai and perhaps abroad too.

I have buyers around the world and I am glad my works are being liked by the art lovers.

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Tiltle-Michievious Krishna 95

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RTiltle: RadhaKrishna

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S E R G E E V A

GALINA

I paint from nature ,so my workplace is where my nature is !

Magnificent Portraits Galina Alexandrovna

Sergeeva

was born in Russia, in the city Voronezh. She Graduated from Art College. She is an Art and Drawing faculty of Kursk Pedagogical University, holding a Diploma on the thesis - a series of landscapes “Historical places of Gurzuf” and the accompanying article devoted to the features of teaching the open-air painting,

A few years has worked as a teacher of painting and drawing at the Art School in Voronezh, then she was engaged in interior and furniture design. Besides easel painting has studied bases and history of origin Palekh (lacquer miniature painting in Old Russian tradition), also icon painting. Worked on various projects in this area, including within some years Galina painted the iconostasis of an Assumption Church in of the Diocese of Lipetsk, Russia.

Galina finds inspiration in nature: flowers, incredible mountain landscapes of Crimea, the magic of old historical streets Indian and Russian cities, the beauty of faces of interesting and talent people…

The favorite places for painting an open-air – Crimea and India.

Her latest solo show was on 25 January to 28 February 2017 at the Palace of Congresses, Saint Petersburg.

Works are in private collections of Russia, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, the USA, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, etc. the countries.

In her short interview with me, I could find and know so much about her inspiration, dedication and the passion behind this extraordinary artist.

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STAR: How did you become a painter?

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GALINA.S: I guess thanks to my

mother’s encouragement She handed me a pencil when I was just one year old. I can’t remember this fact, but she told that everybody around accused her that a child may hurt her eyes.

Well, the consequences were heavier, not for eyes, but for the family - the child became an artist...

STAR: Can you remember you first commission like a painter?

GALINA.S: If to speak about the

first one, - it was also due to my grandmother. One time she proposed me to paint some different flowers on the kitchen wall every day seems I was over 6-7y.old... yes, I had a lot of freedom in child time...

But on the professional level, the first commission was just after I graduated from the art college, it was some Maurer with autumn landscape over 5-6 meters in length.

STAR: Is anyone in your family a professional painter?

GALINA.S: No, it was not like any art school methods either. In my early childhood, they read to

me lot of books and then I learned to draw something from this narrative. Especially my grandmother, a school teacher herself would guide me.I used to ask her to tell me some new fairytale, everyday...seems like she never refused me... And this fantastic world is visualized and later it turned to be my passion ... at first, it was just color pencils and felt-tip pens, then I moved to watercolor.

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STAR: What artist inspire you? What is the source of inspiration?

Galina.S: There are many names, at different stages, we turn to the knowledge to

learn from people with different experience. But if to speak about someone forever - it’s Vincent Van Gogh and Mikhail Vrabel. Optical light effects of their painting are mesmerizing...and gives strength...Also is the open-air painting of the Konstantin Korovin. His feeling of color and subtle transmission of air medium is too close to my soul.

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STYRTISTS STAR: What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

GALINA.S: I love... beautiful people with light inner energy and beautiful actions (acts). Hate... meanness, narrow-mindedness !

STAR: And what about your workplace?

GALINA.S: In general I paint from nature. So, my workplace is where my nature...is the lovely themes - landscapes of the small streets with own history, still-life’s and portraits of interesting people, life close-up.

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STAR: What is your suggestion to paint a beautiful portrait?

GALINA.S: An effective way

to convey an emotion in a portrait painting is through the brushstroke.

Delicate, detailed portraits often carry a certain sensitivity and thoughtful strokes. An artist using rough, larger brushstrokes approaches portrait painting from a different, more expressive angle. Adding different elements to composition also plays a vital role. An artist might choose to depict a person exactly as they are or remove scars or any flaws, sometimes even exaggerate a person’s features.

But on the whole keeping in view of the focal point ,one can create a great composition or painting.

STAR: What inspires you to paint portraits?

GALINA.S: Portraits are a visual rep-

resentation of a person.They also give us a chance to study the essence of an individual as well an effective and much compelling way to tell much enough on the subject.Most of the times portraits don’t reveal all about the personality.The viewer is drawn to the painting and sometimes they are much engrossing .

Painting portraits I could understand many facets of human expression, sometimes pertaining to a particular country or region, how the features are different.It gives a wider perspective, draws the attention of viewers to the painting and also engages attention.Sometimes portraits speak of biography or tell us a story, every time I chose to paint a person.

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STAR: Can you throw some light on your still-life artworks?

GALINA.S: I draw lot of inspira-

tion from nature, especially flowers .Every time I chose to paint a particular flower, it is very interesting to study the colour and nature of each species of the flower .I make floral arrangements and then arrange to see if my composition is captivating to the eyes and then study the light and shade that would make my painting look bright and beautiful as I want to project .

STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

GALINA.S: My travel to different

nations and meet different people from all walks of life always makes it interesting.Life study is something I love and it helps me better day by day in my art pursuits.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

GALINA.S Since my childhood, I

have been encouraged and motivated to choose the art profession. I think when we pursue our dream and put everyday effort, the paintings are great. Never limit your thought and work.

STAR:What is your advice to the upcoming artists who wish to paint portraits,landscapes or still-life ?

GALINA.S: Simply I would suggest more and

more to draw from nature, Only this way it is possible to understand inner sense of subject completely what you want to do. It’s not only technique..it’s training of intellect in general. And love... Whatever we are doing. we have to love this... As told one my good friend, very talented Russian painter: “When you organize some still-life’s nature, at first - fall in love with it, then paint!”

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STAR: What are your suggestions to the artists trying to establish themselves GALINA.S: It is surprising how few art students have any idea of what it is that constitutes art.I would suggest to follow your heart , feel and love everything you paint.

Every small step is a stepping stone and it is essential artists work with patience and determination.Passion for art makes the way!

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S H A R M A

ARUNA

“Working as an art teacher and as an

artist is a big honour for me. While making my paintings or teaching to my students I find myself, filled with new energy every day.

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Art as an exploration

Aruna Sharma is an eminent artist from

Chandigarh. She has done M.A. Fine Arts and serving art from last 24 years to her students.

She is creating forms the day she came to know that her fingers could draw the imaginations created in her mind. Art is her passion, her meditation. She has a great passion for the colors. She has done her work with bright colors or sometimes with monochromatic colors especially her cubism art paintings. Circles, curves, cubes are common motives and integral part of her work.

When we talked ,she discussed her working style ,about her inspiration and her confident approach to study and paint not just for aesthetic beauty ,but as an art explorer .

She loves animals so her first solo show was dedicated to animals by making a painting series depicting the beautiful creatures of nature. When she was doing her graduation she was inspired by Ajanta art so much that she painted Ajanta from her eyes, and Ajanta art gave her the identity. She also loves to paint women, her pains, her gains, her dance, her feelings and emotions, everything. Woman are always a source of inspiration for her. “Sometimes it makes me sad but, it always is motivating me to do more about her. She is, inner me.She says!

Besides this, she loves to do clay modeling, pottery, and as a leisure writes poems.

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STYRTISTS STAR: Where do you derive your inspiration from?

ARUNA.S: Amrita Shergill, Pablo Picasso and my teacher Dr. Baldev Gumbir were main artists who touched my creative interest. Nature and women are always a main source of inspiration for me always.

They both always give me a new story to paint from ancient to present time.

STAR: When did you become an artist?

ARUNA.S: When I came to know that I can give

shape to my imagination. In childhood, I started drawing random objects in nature. I gave my first solo show in 1994and that all paintings were based on the beauty of animals.

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STAR: Why are you so passionate about ART? ARUNA.S: When I was an adolescent girl, I use to doodle on every empty place, even on the muddy ground or on the sand. As an art student I cherished every moment in my art classes, and as an art teacher, I am serving my art and my talent to my students dedicatedly. I look at art as a window to another world, the world of my imagination.

STAR: What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

ARUNA.S: I love to live without worries life.

I always keep myself busy in creating something .though I like to work in the cool and calm atmosphere, but the problems of daily life also give me strength.

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STAR: Now daysWhat are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future?

ARUNA.S: Nowadays I am working

on my series of miniature paintings of guru Nanak dev Ji , with watercolors, for my next solo show.as I am working as a curator also I have planned to organized an Art show by my ‘Sanklan; ART group, in the month of July and December.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

ARUNA.S: Family responsibilities and

a shortage of time some time, so I always believe that life is too short and I have to go beyond on the wings of my imagination.

STAR: What mediums do you work in and why?

ARUN.S: I have done paintings with each and every medium when I was college student my favorite medium was oil paints but they takes so long time to dry so I started working with acrylic colors and this is very smooth and quick to dry, watercolors are also one of my favorite media.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

ARUNA.S: Family responsibilities and a

shortage of time at times, so I always believe that life is too short and I have to go beyond on the wings of my imagination.

STAR: favouriteWhat favorite works you have created?

ARUNA.S: My each and every painting is

my favourite work but I like most my Ajanta paintings, my paintings based on women, on nature and of religious themes, like the series of Ganesha paintings and the paintings of lord Vitthal ji. Watercolour series of guru Nanak Dev Ji. 119

STAR:What is your average day like?

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ARUNA.S: In my normal routine I am

busy with my household works ,my job, and after this I got even a single minute I do my painting work.

STAR:What other forms of creativity do you like?

ARUNA.S:Beside painting I like to do

clay modelling, pottery ,papier-mâchÊ art, and sometimes writing poetry ,I have written a book too named aesthetics and art. Consequently my approach to art is to love everything I do ,as I keep experimenting and learning in day to day life with more zeal . .

STAR:What is your favourite experience as an artist?

ARUNA.S:Working as an art teacher

and as an artist is a big honour for me.

While making my paintings or teaching to my students I find my self-filled with new energy every day.

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STAR: What is your inspiration behind this series of paintings?

ARUNA.S: a Rich heritage of our coun-

try and day to day life, stories inspired me.

Like everybody can’t go to Ajanta to see the cave paintings so I took Ajanta near the door to them by painting the Ajanta cave series.

The Ajanta Caves have located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India The caves include paintings and rock cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form.This inspired me to create them using my own style.

STAR: What style of art would you classify your work?

ARUNA.S: Basically I paint in cubic and

block style and this style became my identity too, beside this I like semi realistic and miniature art style too.

STAR: How did your artworks become famous?

ARUNA.S: I just randomly started putting

my work on art groups on FB and ones who liked my work suggested me to have exhibitions of my artwork. So I started participating in local art shows and workshops and once I started getting recognition, I started having solo and group shows in different cities.

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STYRTISTS STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ARUNA.S: For me, an integral approach to art attempts, to acknowledge and represent how

art has the potential to help us our deeper nature. As an artist, this means that I am in a co-creative relationship, not only with all who view my art but also with the present modern day culture.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

ARUNA.S: Art is a mirror of society. Whatever happens in society, it gets reflected in the

paintings of the artist. Art is often a reflection of the personality of an artist who can lead, follow, or can change the wave of society. Art conducts the heritage of a society from one generation to another‌

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STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

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ARUNA.S: According to me, everyone’s life is interesting in many ways. Being an artist, it is interesting for me to see every portion of life as a canvas on which I can reflect my ideas.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

ARUNA.S: For me, an integral approach to art attempts, to acknowledge and represent how art has the potential to help us our deeper nature. As an artist, this means that I am in a co-creative relationship, not only with all who view my art but also with the present modern day culture.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

ARUNA.S: Art is a mirror of society. Whatever happens in society, it gets reflected in the paintings of the artist. Art is often a reflection of the personality of an artist who can lead, follow, or can change the wave of society. Art conducts the heritage of a society from one generation to another…

STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get established?

ARUNA.S: My advice for others who want to establish themselves that ‘do not base essential income on the sale of yours artworks .if you want to start up yourself as an artist you must have a regular day job. many artists once they discover that they can sell their artworks but when they find that art market is very low and every curator is asking for a big amount to display their work even then this leads them to disappointment and frustration do art for the sake of art only. .

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NITU

“Art gives me freedom to express myself...I can paint anything...there is no foundation...what is right or wrong...moreover here, I am onlythe boss...my thinking has made me passionate about art.�

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C H H A J E R

Be A Meditator Nitu Chhajer is a brilliant art-

ist of contemporary times.Born in a small village near Bikaner, Rajasthan. Her passion for painting brought her to Kolkata, where she is residing now and is a full-time artist.

Looking at her paintings, one is in awe of the grace, beauty, purity and divinity of thought which she beautifully portrays across her canvas.

Talking to her, lead me to find some in-depth knowledge and the source of inspiration behind her majestic artworks.Her “Only love is real”series of artworks here is absolutely stunning!

Her journey as an artist begun a few years back, when she started exploring her inner self. At that point of time, painting came as a gift in her life. She is a self-taught Artist born in a vibrant land of Rajasthan and brought up in Kolkata, land of art and culture. Drawing and painting have always been her passion. Now her passion has become her profession.

“Art is something that brings serenity in my mind. Whatever I paint, is a just creation of my thoughts and imagination. All my paintings are a reflection of my thinking pattern and all are in the meditative state .Basically I paint in acrylic medium. My world of painting is full of life and colours. Through painting I get connect to my higher self that is GOD (love). I believe painting, is one of the best media of self -healing. Art as a therapy takes one from depression to wellness. Whenever I need peace,

I paint Buddha, similarly for realizing the true inner meaning of love, I paint Radha Krishna.

In one of my artwork, I have shown. Krishna’s love for Radha, Rukmini and Meara and Gopikas were always the same....never dependent on association. In other words, God’s love for all is the same...Only love is real...and LOVE IS GOD. If I feel low in power and to raise power within I paint Druga”, she says!

She also works for www.beameditator.com, it an e-magazine, she works along with other people .she makes infographics to spread awareness about meditation and its benefits.

Artist Nitu Chajjer’s work reflects the divinity and spirituality, that she wants to express with colors which mesmerize you with her finesse in combining the expression with the purity of color.

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STAR: What artists inspire you? What is the source of inspiration?

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N.CHHAJER: Our History is full of art

especially Europe, even many great artists have taken birth In India also like M.F.Hussain, Akbar Padamsee, Raja Ravi Varma etc.

But I Like works of Prince and...Samir Sarkar of Kolkata, Uma Kant Kanade ..And my Guru Tarun Chakraborty...all are fabulous artist. And my own life experience is my true source of inspiration.

N.CHHAJER: Right now I am working on

STAR: When did you become an artist?

STAR: What mediums do you work in and why?

N.CHHAJER: My journey as an artist start-

ed 5 years back...but professionally I am exploring my life as an artist from last 2 years.

STAR: What makes you so passionate about ART? N.CHHAJER: Art gives me freedom to

express myself...I can paint anything...there is no foundation...what is right or wrong...here I am only the boss...my thinking has made me passionate about art.

STAR: What do you love about life, and what do you hate?

N.CHHAJER: I think life is a precious gift, given by God...now in my life. At present, there is no such thing left to hate. I try not be judgmental at most of the time. Life is all about loving self and others, and now try to be live life as if it is my last life.

STAR: What are your favorite works you have created?

N.CHHAJER: Recently, I created series of

7 paintings based on 7 chakras. In this series, I have shown Buddha’s journey on different levels of existence. This series is very close to my heart. While making this entire series, I felt some different kind of peace that cannot be expressed in words.

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STAR: What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? my series of 7 paintings on self-realisation, after completing this series will work on Buddhist journey...and some abstracts. To work with a bigger perspective of life through my canvas is my actual future plan. Off course lot more exhibition are on the way.

N.CHHAJER: I basically work in acrylic medium...as it is easy to use...and I am quite comfortable in using them.

STAR: What obstacles do you face in making and exhibiting your work?

N.CHHAJER: My journey as an artist is

not an easy journey so far, initially I had faced a lot of rejection, disappointments. Especially, when I was trying to promote my works. I am a self-taught artist. So it was in my mind “Nitu I think you don’t have any degree in fine Arts that’s why your artworks are rejected by many galleries”. But the moment I decided I need to work on my thought process, as I am very spiritual, I knew it was just a thought, and it can be changed, if one is willing to change, I have done lot of work with my thought process, I realised I paint well but few colours are missing in my artworks, when I brought those colours in my paintings and with the changed thought process....my work begun to flourish, now galleries are approaching me, people are coming to me like they have been sent by GOD to help me, and now I don’t face any problem in promoting my work. Thanks to Facebook, online art galleries for their support, and of course art galleries, curators.

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Title: Only Love is real series,-6

STAR: What is your average day like?

N.CHHAJER: I begin my day with gratitude

prayer, while I am still in bed, then yoga followed with meditation and daily affirmation. After that I usually I have breakfast, then some household work, Facebook updates.

Then usually I do painting, in between, I always take short breaks...because I can’t work for long, in short breaks I usually do promotion of my work on Facebook, WhatsApp etc. Meanwhile, I also take out some time to work for www.beameditator.com. This is really close to my heart.

Here I and my team make info-graphics to bring awareness among people to meditate daily. Then by evening I usually go for walk, I and my mother usually have our evening tea and snacks.

by night after dinner, I usually read books like any self-help or spirituality related books. I do watch television but nowadays it’s too rare, I love watching videos on YouTube. Before going to bed I usually do my prayers and affirmation.

STAR: What other forms of creativity do you like?

N.CHHAJER: Apart from painting.

I love photography. Singing, making infographics for beameditator.com crafts making.

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STYRTISTS STAR: Could you tell us some interesting facts about your life?

N.CHHAJER: I belong to a Marwari fam-

ily, and I live with my parents. 7 and half years of my childhood I was in Rajasthan. Coming to Kolkata, accepting new people was not so easy for me. But one thing I knew since childhood days that I am good in singing, but never learned seriously. I was good in studies, not a topper...but managed good grades. I also have a 2-year diploma in fashion designing .but 5 years back when I got interested in painting.

And luckily I got my guru, where I am living right now.

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I learned to sketch, the different way of doing paintings and drawing...earlier I use to paint without thinking. Colors were really missing in my paintings, and suddenly I realized I am moving more towards spirituality. And a point came in my life ...I was thinking where am I going actually, it was actually my inner calling...that I was unable to listen. One thing I knew I am a very good dreamer... an imagination. I use to daydream a lot as if I am not living on the earth, I had my own fantasy world. But now I am living my life more realistic than before. Life has taught many a lesson that has made me realize what exactly love means, I always had deep quest of finding true meaning of God,

I realized God is nothing but our inner voice, and it’s our soul, its love. When we listen to our inner voice and start living, then we are actually on the path of enlightenment. Though I have realized, but it’s not an easy path, but with faith, I keep moving in life. I am thankful to the Universe, who have sent wonderful people in my life.

Who is really helping a lot with my work?

Now I also work for a website www.beameditator.com ...In a BE A MEDITATOR along with my team I make infographics to spread awareness about meditating daily.

Through our work we show how meditation actually helps in daily chores of life, there are certain myths regarding meditating daily, I and my team are here to break these myths, and to help people in meditating. So that living life with joy and happiness becomes easy. Now I enjoy my life and my artworks are now full of colours and life, now people are actually appreciating my artworks, and day by day I am going higher and higher, as If there is no looking back, and I am celebrating each and every moment of my life with more joy and happiness, love is everywhere, I am thankful to the Universe for pouring opportunities and now day by day I am succeeding in my life.

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STAR: What is your favorite experience as an artist?

N.CHHAJER: There are a lot of experience

that I want to share. It’s like the universe is very kind to me, every month is different from another month. Recently in a group exhibition held by Jaipur Art Centre, My work on self-love and on Buddha got warm appreciation by Rukshmani kumari, Of Chomu royal family of Rajasthan.

After that, I got feature by women’s magazine “star-tests”. again I got a lot of appreciation, really felt proud of self, and now I wish much more to come, and I am grateful to Universe.

STAR: What is your inspiration for your this series”Only Love Is Real” paintings?

N.CHHAJER: My artworks are the reflection of my inner world, every day I die and every day I re-born with new in me along with the new ideas, new experiences, and my experience become, a source of my self-exploration at the different level and at the different dimensions of human existence. Like right now I am working on how a woman feels at the different level of existence, I mean 7 major chakras. Also in my paintings, I am trying to show, that why we need to balance our feminine and masculine energy.

Because we are made up of energy and once we balance our both the energy I mean yin and yang, in other words, Shiva and Shakti, then only, we become whole, perfect and happy ever.

STAR: What’s integral to the work of an artist?

N.CHHAJER : I think it’s his originality

and his unique style of work...and an artist must keep exploring different aspects of life, and I think it’s an endless process, kind of work I am doing now, maybe after 10 years, I will be doing something different much better I am doing now. In other words, my experience will speak in artworks.

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STAR: How have you been so successful with marketing and selling your art?

N.CHHAJER: I am lucky that I have taken

birth in this technical world, where just by sitting at home we could get connected easily to an entire world. My big thanks to the internet, our social media, like Facebook pages and groups, really helped me to get connect with people in general, art lovers, collectors buyers, and its huge media, also WhatsApp groups, Pinterest, Instagram, online art galleries, Magazine like STAR-TISTS, of course, Exhibitions, helps a lot. Also For marketing one need to be good in communication and expressing what does he or she really wants to sell, more than a canvas, an artist sell his/her thought, his/her own feelings.

STAR: How did your artworks become famous?

N.CHHAJER : Moment I started working intuitively after doing my PLR with DR.Newton Kondaveti after that I have got an offer to work with Be a mediator team, and also did Prosperity Consciousness workshop,...and my work got flourished and during that workshop, my mentor helped me a lot in bringing colours in paintings and also in changing my thought process. Rather I would say my color palette and my minute detailed work has made my artwork famous.

STAR: What role does the artist have in society?

N.CHHAJER: An artist live their life

through the canvas, it’s up to them what they are going to serve the society. Like when I paint BUDDHA I try to spread peace, with Radhe and Krishna, I try to give the message of unconditional love. Every artwork has the certain meaning, some bring joy, some shows peace, love, harmony and some artworks shows a greater perspective of life.

Tiltle: Only love is real series,-5

STAR: Any other advice for the artists trying to get established?

N.CHHAJER: Follow your heart, try to paint intuitively, and try not to paint

“anything would work”. People usually gives lots of advice...you must paint “this that those”. But for an artist, it is necessary to discover his own unique style of painting. Some artists are good in painting realistic art, and some are good in the abstract. And try to improve your skills. But artworks need to be original and authentic. And love for painting is must and always feel proud on whatever paint or draw, and try to celebrate every piece of art you make with joy..

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AN ART FOR AWARENESS PUBLICATION 138