LIFE AS AN ARTIST

Through my paintings, I depict the balance I experience between the Eastern and Western cultures within me. I appreciate the delicate details in Indian art, especially Tanjore paintings, where chalk and glue layers are applied to create an embossed effect over which gold leaf is applied. I use old, unusable Indian saris, the gold weaving of which is still beautiful and intact. I believe each piece has the history of the weaver, the particular memory of the person who has worn the sari, and now it is used to create yet another purpose in my art. I also admire free expression and creativity and the skill and craftsmanship of traditional artists, thus combining these two aspects in my visual expressions.

I take my inspiration from various cultures and represent this through my paintings in the “travel series.” I use fabric, unique, simple everyday objects, or images from these places to capture that place or culture’s essence. After I visited Africa, I incorporated Massai fabric and jewelry into my art to capture Africa’s beauty. For a painting inspired by Australia, I used an art piece bought directly from an aboriginal artist in Ayres Rock, Australia. The original painting depicts people around a water hole and the community. I expanded the image to represent the influences of various cultures on our lifestyles. The Buddha painting is an inspiration of a stone Buddha head around which a giant Banyan tree grew in Ayutthaya, Thailand. This picture represents the spiritual self that grows within each of us. I hope to add to this collection as I travel to many more places and bring out the uniqueness of the culture, place, or scenery through my art.

To use any of this art as a print or for any other purpose, or to buy original art or prints, please write to [email protected]