"Keep practicing, with lots of hardwork, you will get the expected results"

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1. Tell us more about your background and journey.

This is Nithya Yadav (also known as here_artspeaks on Instagram) from Mumbai belonging to a south Indian family. My family believed that it is more important to concentrate on academics rather than extracurricular activities so I rarely used to participate in extracurricular activities.

Back then I didn't know I loved drawing but I used to scribble a lot in my notebooks. I used to make tiny doodles. I always thought that my family would not allow me to pursue a career in Art. I never dared to talk about it to my parents. But then after my first IT job, I finally got the courage to convince my parents to be an Independent Illustrator.

2. When did you decide you wanted to be an artist?

Actually, it was a sudden decision. I was working as a software engineer in L&t Infotech. I was not enjoying the IT job and I had this inner feeling of doing something else but couldn't figure out what to do but deep down I was sure to leave the job. I took 10 days of Vipassana meditation course.

After completing the course I had a clear view of pursuing Illustration as my career. I did not have any backup then but my family and close friends supported my decision and they got me some commissioned orders and through word of mouth I started making more commissioned digital portraits.

3. Is it a financially stable career?

Not for me at an initial stage but with a lot of patience and dedication you can earn more.

4. Who is your favourite artist and why?

There are many but Alicia Souza, Pascal Campion and Pranita Kocharekar are my most favourite. They are like my Virtual Gurus. I have and am still learning a lot from them. They have taught me how to trust my own work, how to have a work ethic, how to not make our entire life revolve around art and treat it as work.

5. Where do you get inspired to create art?

I get inspiration from the movies I watch, people I read about, stories I hear from my family or friends and also from the artist that I religiously follow.

6. What does your typical day look like?

I start my day by reading a book for 30 mins after a yummy breakfast. Play with my pet rabbit. Make a ToDo list for the day. Put my phone in focus mode which disables notifications from social media apps. Some Rotaract work after 7 pm as I am Editor & PRO of Rotaract club of Panvel Midtown. Sleep by 12

7. What piece of advice would you like to give to future aspiring artists?

Keep practising and remember for the first time maybe you will not be satisfied by your own art. Gradually, with lots and lots of practice, you will get the expected results. And most important Trust yourself.

8. Which is your favourite book and why?

All books of Sudha Murthy. Other than that, my latest favourite book is Home Quarantined by Shraddha Rane. It is a short story available in the eBook version. It depicts the true story of a COVID affected family. It's a must-read for everyone.

Interview by - Kriti