Rumriver Art Center featured Sanjukta’s recent show: ‘Spiritus’, in the 21 Step Gallery. Creative Director Angie Renee notes: “Sanjukta’s art is powerful. In her paintings she works with Animal Spirits and has captured their essence. She also works with Greek Mythology. Her paintings are alive with movement, color and spirit.”
I asked Sanjukta about her early art experiences:
“I feel I was born with an artist’s soul. I sought art in everything, even as a child. I found immense joy in expressing myself through visual art, dance and music. I was never trained in fine-arts. Still, I loved the humble pencil and it ignited the creative side in me. Interestingly I thought I wasn’t good at drawing and kept my artwork to myself for a very long time.”
Creativity in her daily life: “My entire family is bursting with creative people. My parents started a school in India that is now 42 years old. Art/creativity is practically what we talk about all day! Through the simplest and most basic things like food and gardening or music, dance and visual art. It’s a way we bond and it never leaves a moment of dullness in our lives. Both my daughters, 10 y.o. and 6 y.o., love drawing, playing piano and dancing. Although my husband is a sports fanatic, he supports me in every step of my art career. He’s taught himself how to create frames and painstakingly builds them for my canvases.”
“Both my daughters, 10 y.o. and 6 y.o., love drawing, playing piano and dancing. Although my husband is a sports fanatic, he supports me in every step of my art career. He’s taught himself how to create frames and painstakingly builds them for my canvases.”
Are there any stories you’d like to share about becoming an artist? (Challenges, highlights, or anything that surprised you?)
“Becoming an artist was always a retirement plan. I shelved the best part of my life for the last leg. However, life had different plans for me. I worked as a data science consultant in the corporate sector for 15 years. I consoled myself with the thought; “One day I will retire into art.” Early 2020, with Covid in our lives, I decided to take a short sabbatical to support my family. In the comfort of my home with minimal distractions I felt the urge to pick up my paint brush again. I recall my first trembling strokes and soaring thoughts of self doubt. And yet it was also the best feeling of fulfillment ever. Time ceases to exist when you are in that mental zone. I got deeper and deeper with every painting. I was finally being myself and letting my voice come through.”
“I began to consider not going back to corporate life. What nailed my decision was when I painted the portrait of my late father and remembered how close I felt to him. I felt him in me and the connectedness was beyond imagination. I felt the true power of art, beyond what words can express. It transported me to the most fulfilling place in my heart. That day sealed my destiny. I decided to take up art professionally and make it the purpose of my life.”
“I started my career by painting portraits. I gave surprise gifts to my friends who had lost their dear ones. Most friends accepted them with tears and felt the deepest emotions of connectedness. I painted portraits of my gurus for whom I had huge respect but words fell short. In my own way, I was expressing myself to make a difference. Today, I love every bit of what I am doing and can gladly quote ‘I will die into art one day.”
How were you introduced to Rumriver Art Center?
“My first experience with Rumriver Art Center was through a call for art – birds show . I applied as a participant and won the second People’s Choice Award. That reinforced my decision to take up art professionally. My first ever solo show was also hosted at Rumriver Art Center and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. The artist community here is beaming with high energy and warm people. I love this place and would highly recommend art aspirants to engage with this place.”
What motivates you?
“I am constantly seeking motivation. I find it in the simplest of things and the most profound too. Music, dance, nature, animals, my own dreams, works of other artists, and beauty inside of people and their pains – it motivates me to paint the opposite which is HOPE.
I hope Sanjukta’s contagious energy and creative zeal have inspired you and your art journey.
You’re invited to learn first-hand from Sanjukta at her: Gold Leaf Expressive Painting, 3 week workshop. The workshop runs Wednesdays, February 22, March 1 and March 8, from 9am – 12pm .
Register at: https://app.getoccasion.com/xp/R5crXvzF
The legacy Sanjukta hopes to leave as an artist:
“I am committed towards making an impactful difference to the world through art. Paintings that touch people deep within and transform them to be better humans, heal their pain, inspire them to achieve the possibilities in life, fill them with love and optimism. Those are the paintings I want to paint …relentlessly!”