Focus on quality over quantity, always. Focus on building the right community around you and listen to them carefully.
1. Tell us more about your background and journey.
I was introduced to fine arts by my mother, who is a professional abstract artist. As a child, the feel of wet brushes on dry, crisp paper and the smell of poster colours kept me engaged in painting for hours on end. Even while receiving my formal education, I was involved in art activities through various fests and events happening in my college.
Around a year back, I got married and with my husband initially working long at his new job; I felt a lack of creative outlet in this new phase of my life. I decided to explore my old bond with paintings with a fresh perspective.
After coming back from a hectic day of work, the cold evening breeze, old 90s Hindi songs and a piping hot cup of tea accompanied me in my journey through painting my favourite set of images I had gathered throughout the day. It took me back to the times when the sensations of paint and its rich colour would overwhelm me.
This new bond with painting was therapeutic, stress-busting and highly calming for my mature self. In order to stay disciplined and keep a track of my improvements, I decided to post on my Instagram page.
After a year or so, (ShivaniMakes) is a growing, positive and supportive community of art lovers finding their own approach to art while learning from each other.
2. Who is your favourite artist and why?
I might sound biased here but my mother, Nirmala Singh is my favourite artist. Although her work is primarily abstract based with a focus on oil and canvas; her creative process is rigorous and very inspiring.
Her art style and quality have evolved consistently throughout the 20 years, she has been practising art. She explores and depicts topics that are very difficult to express via paintings like illusions, the suffering of women, the ever-changing relationship between time and nature among many.
I aspire to have her decisiveness in creating different features of artwork, her confident brush strokes, and her strong sense of composition.
3. Is it a financially stable career?
Art is an unconventional profession; in the sense that the amount of time it takes to be financially stable is subject to talent and your ability to market and position your artwork.
The ground reality in India for many years has been that it takes a lot of time and effort for artists to become financially stable and only a handful was able to do so previously.
However, the advent of social media, teaching services, online marketplaces and exhibit platforms has introduced art to young and new buyers in a fresh light. It has also made it easier for any artist to connect, build a community and attract buyers.
4. Where do you get inspired to create art?
I tend to travel a lot in India with my husband and my memoirs and pictures from these travels serve as the main form of inspiration for my artwork.
India is a very diverse land with multiple cultures, traditions and languages. Even cities with their constant hustle and bustle provide unparalleled highlights in an individual's daily activities.
Additionally, some sceneries and monuments have a rich history associated with them. I find such images of engaged humans and towering constructions fascinating and hope to encase them at that moment forever through my rendition of them.
5. What kind of book do you prefer to read?
I enjoy reading Fiction and Autobiographies. Some of the recent books that I have read were Becoming by Michelle Obama and Power of the Subconscious Mind.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to the future aspirants?
If you're starting out with art, try and build it as a habit. This will enrich your experience and skill immensely. Even if it's for 15 minutes a day. A personal motto of mine is to sincerely create what I value and sincerely value what I create. Embrace its technical faults and the parts that you have nailed to get better.
If you're involved with social media, do not get drowned in the game of numbers/followers etc. Focus on quality over quantity, always. Focus on building the right community around you and listen to them carefully.
The numbers that you accumulate will be a direct consequence of how much value you create for your community and by their love for you and your artwork.
- Shivani Jadon: Artist
Interview by - Pallavi Surana
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