You describe your paintings as a reflection of personal emotions. How do you approach translating your feelings into visual form?

Creating art feels like second nature to me—it's an intuitive and meditative process that allows me to connect deeply with myself. Abstracts are my absolute favourite to paint because they are the purest expressions of my emotions on canvas. Every brushstroke, crayon mark, texture, and colour reflects my thoughts, feelings, surroundings, and perceptions. It's like translating my inner world directly onto the canvas, raw and unfiltered.

One of your pieces, “Its fine, I'm fine, everything's fine,” is such a visually stunning piece. Could you take us on a journey on the inspiration and the process behind this piece?

“Its Fine, I'm Fine, Everything's Fine” emerged in a whirlwind of spontaneity, painted alla prima and plein air. I remember the exact date: December 30th, 2023. It was my first day off in months after an intense stretch in my master’s program, with classes running from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., seven days a week.

The painting captures the raw state of my mind at that moment—overflowing with thoughts, to-dos, and the weight of it all. What’s fascinating is that when I create abstracts, there’s never a plan. No pre-selected colours, no structured direction. It’s about taking a leap of faith, trusting the process, and letting the canvas unfold its story.

My friend Radha was there, capturing every messy, magical moment as I painted. This piece is more than colours and textures—it’s a diary entry in disguise.

What experiences or emotions tend to inspire your abstract work the most? Could you share a story behind your favorite works?

Every piece I create tells its own story and captures its own emotion, reflecting exactly what I felt in the moment. That’s why I’m so drawn to painting abstracts—they’re my way of staying true to myself. During my undergraduate studies in Literature, I vividly remember reading Aristotle’s Poetics. He wrote something that deeply resonated with me: “imitation is two steps away from reality.”

Think about it—when we paint an object, the object itself is the first creation, how we perceive it in our mind becomes the second, and what finally lands on the canvas is already two degrees removed from reality. But abstracts? They break free from this chain. They’re the purest form of creation because they didn’t exist before—they’re born entirely from within, untouched by anything external.

What excites me even more is the uncertainty. Even when I plan certain elements, I never truly know where an abstract piece will take me. It’s unpredictable, raw, and full of surprises—and that’s precisely why I love it

When did you first discover your passion for painting, and how did you come to embrace mixed media as your preferred approach?

I’ve been painting since childhood—it’s always been my way of expressing myself. In 9th grade, curators from the London Transport Museum visited my school for a project where we painted our interpretations of life on public transit, which led to my first group show.

Art became an even bigger part of my life in 2018, and even more so in 2019, during a health scare that left me with months of downtime. Painting became my therapy, my escape—I’d immerse myself in it for 12 hours a day without even noticing. My love for mixed media comes from pure curiosity and a relentless drive to experiment with new techniques and materials.

What do you hope viewers feel or take away when they experience your art?

Some get lost in the tiny details, others feel unsure of what to think or imagine, and some discover elements or perspectives I never even noticed myself—and that’s the magic of abstraction. No twopeople experience it the same way, and watching their unique reactions to my art is my absolute favorite part.

What advice would you give other artists starting out on their journey?

Pour your heart onto the canvas and tune out the naysayers. Create what speaks to you, what brings you joy. The act of creating is its own reward—everything else, like sales, appreciation, or exhibitions, is just a bonus. If it comes, great; if not, create anyway.