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What goes around comes around – Decoding Mandalas with Richa Saxena

What goes around comes around – Decoding Mandalas with Richa Saxena

by | May 16, 2019 | Blog, interview, Mandala Art, Richa Saxena

Interview with Richa Saxena

What goes around comes around – Decoding Mandalas with Richa Saxena

Richa Saxena, Mandala Artist 

16th May, 2019

Richa is a self-taught Mandala artist based in Ahmedabad. She grew up admiring her mother’s artwork, and ended up becoming an artist herself.

She believes that art makes life bearable and we should learn to see  life as a mandala – the luminous fringes of experience which radiate spontaneously from the empty nature of our being.

In this interview she talks to us about her love for Mandalas; her workshops; healing powers of art and more.

“Each person’s life is like a mandala – a vast, limitless circle. We stand in the center of our own circle, and everything we see, hear and think forms the mandala of our life.”

~ Pema Chodron

Tell us a little about your childhood. Who introduced you to art?

“I was a quiet kid who spent countless hours admiring my mother’s artwork. She is my inspiration, role model and mentor. I got my first water-colour kit in my second grade, and I haven’t stopped drawing  ever since”.

What made you develop a liking towards mandalas?

“The colours; intricate designs and patterns; and the intertwined circles made me fall in love with mandalas. It’s been two years since I started creating Mandalas and there’s no stopping”.

Do you connect with mandalas on a spiritual level?

“I view Mandala as more of a meditative art form than a spiritual one. Mandalas help us to stay calm, release stress, loosen our resistance and grow hope”.

“The colours, intricate designs and patterns, intertwined circles made me fall in love with Mandalas”.

Do you agree that mandalas should include some element of free flowing form rather than having the perfect mathematical symmetry?

“Yes, I believe that a mandala can be created either by free flowing or intricate patterns. The common element is the symmetry which has endless possibilities. You just need to have an open and creative mind to explore new avenues”.

When is your next workshop and what can one expect from it?

“I’m conducting my next workshop ‘Intricate Mandalas’ in the mid of June. I’ll be teaching the basics of Mandalas, the techniques behind grid and pattern formations. One can also learn how to come up with their own patterns”.

Do you plan on starting your own merchandise?

“Not anytime soon. Right now my only focus is on creating Mandalas and conducting workshops”.

If you were to learn another art form, what would it be?

“I would love to learn water colour painting as I’ve always been fascinated by it since I was a kid”.

Few snaps from Richa’s workshops.

What advice would you give to the budding artists?

“For beginners, I would ask them to practice on a regular basis and not compare themselves with anyone. One should seek inspiration from other artists if they have a creative block”.

“If we believe in yourself and love what you do, anything is possible”.

Who has been your greatest support throughout your journey?

“This journey hasn’t been easy, but I always had my family by my side. Without them, I would not be here today. My mom is my biggest critic and mentor. The honest feedback which my mom gives helps me to grow not only as an artist but as a person”. 

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The Serious Art of Caricatures with Prasad Bhat

The Serious Art of Caricatures with Prasad Bhat

by | May 15, 2019 | Blog, caricature, Caricature Artist, Digital caricature, Graphicurry, interview, Personalized caricatures, Prasad Bhat, vector art

Interview with Prasad Bhat

The serious art of Caricatures : Prasad Bhat on Caricatures, Graphicurry, Comedy and more.

Prasad Bhat, Founder of Graphicurry

16th May, 2019

Prasad Bhat is the mastermind behind Graphicurry, a caricature specialist and an illustrator based in Bangalore. His quirky caricatures have brought him global appreciation. Like every other Indian kid, Prasad Bhat studied Engineering and struggled to get a job after his graduation. On realizing that engineering was not his cup of tea, he started his own design studio turned art store, Graphicurry.

Prasad never fails to bring a smile on your face, whether through his caricatures or comedy. His skills have attracted some of the coolest clients such as Amazon Prime, Disney and MARVEL. His artwork is original, authentic and witty.

Here are excerpts from when we caught up with Prasad Bhat for a quick interview and a dozen laughs.

What’s the story behind Graphicurry?

“Art and food are two of my most favourite things, hence the name ‘Graphicurry’! Luckily, the URL name was easily available”.

“Graphicurry started off in 2013 as a logo and designing company for corporates, and eventually evolved into a personalized caricature store. Today, we have over a hundred varieties of caricatures and merchandise of famous TV shows, movies, and artists”.

What made you take up an off-beat career and start Graphicurry, having studied engineering?

“I graduated with a score of 75% in engineering. I was over qualified for Call centres and under qualified for IT Companies. While I was desperately looking for a job, my girlfriend suggested that I pursue art seriously. I began to learn various digital tools. 6 years have passed, and here we are. Graphicurry has over a hundred personalized caricatures and merchandise”.

One of your prominent works includes Vector art. What made you pursue it?

“There are so many artists out there who have access to the same tools as I do. I’ve always wanted to have a unique style when it comes to art in order to stand out from the rest. That’s the main reason I started drawing vectors. Plus, I really enjoy drawing them”.

“I sometimes feel like a low-key plastic surgeon”.

How do you manage to get the right balance between realism and exaggeration in your artwork?

“I prefer keeping my art minimal over intricate detailing. Honestly speaking, people don’t like their features to be exaggerated. Everybody wants to look better. So, I only focus on making my clients look cuter”. *chuckles*

As you make customized caricatures, you might have come across various customization requests. What’s the most common request that you get?

“Make my wife look beautiful”. I’ve heard this so many times. I sometimes feel like a low-key plastic surgeon. I wish people could accept themselves and others as they are. I’m a brutally honest person; I would trip at requests like this. Thankfully, my wife, Deepthi takes care of all the client communications and makes my life easier”.

Caricature of  F.R.I.E.N.D.S illustrated by Prasad Bhat.

“That’s when I realized that I had travelled so far to get to the point where my favourite thing had to be recreated by me”.

Any current projects you can talk about? What was your biggest project until now?

I had my ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ moment when Disney asked to draw Mickey in my style to celebrate Mickey’s 90th Birthday! That’s when I realized that I had travelled so far to get to the point where my favourite thing had to be recreated by me”.

“Currently, I’m excited to be working on a few projects for Hotstar, which is upping its presence on the online media industry”.

Being an artist, what’s your biggest pet peeve?

“Most of the orders I get are for gifting purposes. Few clients provide hazy images for reference. This is my biggest pet peeve”.

How do you think the digital age has helped artists?

“I’m truly blessed to have digital aid. I have a competitive advantage over others as I was among of the first few artists to start digital caricatures in India. Most of the caricature artists who did not adapt to the technological changes, are still struggling. Technology has introduced us to unlimited possibilities. It’s up to us to make the best use of it”.

 

“All artists have a shelf life. I’m ready to face life as it comes”.

Could you tell us about your “Evolution” series?

“The evolution series focused on famous celebrities such as Leo, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robin Williams and others. It was a tribute to all the amazing roles they’ve played so far. I also worked on a project where Ranbir Kapoor evolves into Sanjay Dutt. The idea is to keep the face unaltered and change other details such as the outfit, attire and expressions”.

What inspired you to start stand up comedy? Where can we see Prasad Bhat in the years to come, as a comedian?

“Even I’m not sure why I started doing comedy. I think I like to suffer and be broke. Jokes apart, I love making people smile and I wanted to do that professionally. Recently, I performed in Mumbai for a huge crowd, the video of which will be releasing soon. Other than that, I attend 2-3 open mics every week. It is tiring to run an art store and pursue comedy. But, I’m getting there”.

Prasad Bhat in one of his Stand-up comedy sets.

You have made some amazing caricatures of various Sitcoms. Which is your favourite sitcom of all time?

“Seinfeld is my all time favourite. It’s think that it’s the best show ever and everyone should watch it! Each character has its own charm that makes the show so special”.

Have you ever hit the rock-bottom? Tell us about it.
“I had hit the rock-bottom after my graduation which made me start Graphicurry. Since I’ve already been there, I don’t fear it anymore. All artists have a shelf life. So, I’m ready to face life as it comes. On the other hand, even if I get a lot of money and fame, I won’t let it get into my head. I like to keep myself grounded”.

“If you wake up with a burning desire in you to achieve something, you must follow it”.

Do you plan on taking up workshops?

“No, that’s my last resort. I’m not a big fan of teaching because I’m very impatient. If everybody stops buying from me, then I’ll give it a thought”.

Being a popular artist, demands you to have a constant social media presence. How do you cope up with this?

“I have to constantly post engaging content for my audience. I can’t post whatever I like, it has to be trending. Right now, there’s Game of Thrones fever everywhere. So, few of my posts are based on that”.

They say that art can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Do you agree with this?

“To a certain extent, art is therapeutic. It might seem fun drawing all day. But trust me, it isn’t. It is a lot of work and requires patience”.

Lastly, do you have any tips or advice for the budding digital artists?

“Don’t Do it”. *laughs*
“I’m just kidding. I usually don’t advise others much. It’s easy for me to ask others to pursue art. But, there are other factors one must consider like financial security and emotional support. To be an artist in India, it takes something more than just talent or hard work. It takes a thick skin. Hard-work is overrated. Unless you have a huge inheritance, or become an overnight sensation, it’s really hard to get financial returns”.

“Nonetheless, if you wake up with a burning desire to achieve something, you must follow it. I also believe that if your parents support you, you’d get too comfortable and become lazy. The magic happens only when you step out of your comfort zone. So, I think all the parents should kick their kids out of the house after they grow up “.

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Prasun Balasubramaniam – Journey to the centre of Mandalas

Prasun Balasubramaniam – Journey to the centre of Mandalas

by | May 14, 2019 | Mandala Art, Blog, interview, Prasun Balasubramaniam

Interview with Prasun Balasubramaniam

Journey to the centre of Mandalas with Prasun FineArts

Prasun Balasubramaniam, Mandala Artist

14th May, 2019

Prasun Balasubramaniam is a self-taught Mandala artist and illustrator who hails from Salem, Tamil Nadu. She is known to create intricate, vibrant, and vivid artworks, and believes that Mandalas require intense focus and attention to the present moment, which induces mindfulness. Here, you can read some of the wisdom Prasun shared with us and get a glimpse of her beautiful mandalas that can satisfy the OCD in all of us.

Tell us a little about your childhood? How were you introduced to art?

Growing up in Mumbai, I actively took part in many art competitions and creative activities which kept me occupied. I was introduced to the basics of art in a summer camp. Although my parents never encouraged me much to pursue art thinking it would be a waste of time, I was persistent enough and never stopped drawing.

Prasun with one of the Mandalas she drew on her Studio Wall. 

How did you develop an interest in Mandalas? How has your journey of choosing art as a career been?

After my 10th grade, my family shifted to Salem and having stayed in a happening city like Mumbai, I used to get really bored. Hence, in my free time, I doodled and made Mandalas.

Even during my engineering days, I used to doodle on my notebooks to survive the boring lectures. Thankfully, my teachers thought that I was taking notes.

I was unaware that the doodles I made were called ‘Mandalas’ until I came across an article that spoke about the different types of mandalas and the healing powers they possessed, after which I started extensively researching and learned a lot.

After completing my Bachelors in Engineering and M.tech, I worked at a research company for a while which I eventually quit to pursue art full-time.

Soon I started posting on Instagram, and the love and appreciation I got from my followers gave me confidence to draw more and more.

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We can trace back the history of mandalas to ancient Buddhism and Hinduism. Do you connect with mandalas on a spiritual level?

Personally, I feel mandalas are meditative than spiritual. I can say that mandalas are a religion by themselves. While working on mandalas, you mostly use the subconscious mind, giving rest to the conscious mind. Creating a mandala calms me down and helps me get closure. I have curated a mandala colouring book for the same purpose.

I’m a standard Image Caption.

Some logs are made by the participants attending her workshops

The mandalas that you’ve created seem so flawless. How did you master the symmetry?

Trust me, there are a lot of flaws. There are times when I make a lot of errors and then are times when it comes out really well. The key is to keep trying until you become perfect.

What led to the inception of Prasun fine-arts?

Boredom. I was jobless and at home for a almost 6 months, and the peer pressure of getting a job got the best of me. I decided to start Prasun Fine arts in the summer of 2015, and since then I have never looked back.

What can one expect from your Mandala art workshops?

The participants of my workshop will go through the process of creating a Mandala design from scratch where in they are provided with worksheets which gives them the freedom to choose a pattern which they’d want to draw. 

Although you cannot achieve perfection in the first attempt, the attendees go back home happy and satisfied with their designs. 

Mandala art is immersive and gives the participants an experience they cannot forget. 

 

Do you agree that mandalas should include some element of free-flowing form rather than having the perfect mathematical symmetry?

No, Mandalas are supposed to be circular in nature. Any form of energy starts from a point and spreads into a circle. There are excellent examples of this in our universe, like the solar system, the Chakras or even a flower.

 Mandala art therapy is a form of psychotherapy which is supposed to help in finding a sense of healthy mental balance. What are your thoughts on the same?

Mandalas help in promoting a healthy mental balance by reducing stress, increasing attention span and dealing with depression. It can benefit all the age groups. Interestingly, people aged above 80 years also visit my workshop.

How has technology helped mandala art form to evolve?

Call me old school, but I prefer traditional art over digital art any day. I love the vibration between the pencil and the paper. Nonetheless, I use the iPad for designing tattoos as the customers come back with requests for modification. Technology is definitely a boon for artists like me, but one should start off with traditional mediums.

What inspired you to start urban sketching?

I’ve always loved trying out new things and appreciated the beauty in my surroundings. Drawing Mandalas was getting redundant and I wanted to try something different, that’s when I started drawing Urban landscapes. 

I am not very good at it, but I hope to be there soon.

If you were to meet your former self, what advice would you give?

I would ask my former self not to worry much about studies and start practising art earlier.

What advice would you give to the budding artists?

Keep practising and never give up. Explore what you like until you’re 35 (or even until later if you have the energy). Attend workshops and take up classes. Discover your passion and pursue it.

Studying may give knowledge, but practising art builds your overall personality, and that’s what matters at the end of the day.

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Anirudh Srinivasan – Art taught me to rise above jealousy

Anirudh Srinivasan – Art taught me to rise above jealousy

by | Jun 30, 2018 | interview

Anirudh Srinivasan – Engineer turned Artist

It took me 3 full years to curate and make sketches for my first solo art show – “Tatvik”.

~ Anirudh Srinivasan

At the age of three, Anirudh Srinivasan, picked up his first crayon and began scribbling on the walls of his home. Today at 22, the young Chennai-born sketch artist’s walls are intact, but his home is filled with art works ranging from hyper realistic sketches to topical drawings.

These works are now making regular appearances across art spaces in Chennai. One such display of his art was Anirudh’s first solo show, Tatvik, the success of which is a testament to the warmth with which his works are being received. These displays aren’t milestones, but merely the beginnings of his trajectory as a sketch artist.
Although Anirudh completed his undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the revered SRM university of Science and Technology, his formative years have been dominated by graphite and charcoal.

How would you describe your body of work? 

I have experimented with different forms of art over the years and have always enjoyed dabbling in newer forms of art. It has been only a few years since I decided to specialize in Hyper-realism, an art form that became extremely popular during the 70s. Hyper-realism is all about making paintings or sketches that resemble high definition photographs and it’s very difficult finding differences between hyper-realistic art and a photograph.

The first instance of me picking up a pencil was out of jealousy, I wanted to be better than someone else. I was such a dumbo, I still am. Jealousy taught me art and art taught to rise above jealousy.

Earliest memory of your connection with sketching?

I would have probably been just three years old when I started drawing. I remember scribbling on the walls of my room with crayons and making sketches of things around me that I found interesting. I drew a house next to a small lake, that was when I started learning how to draw basic shapes. I still happen to have a few pictures of myself making sketches when I was a kid. I have always felt the urge to invest more time in drawing as it gave me a sense of satisfaction. I really have a steep inclination towards expressing myself in a very creative way.

Anirudh Srinivasan started sketching at the age of 3.

What is art to you? (REMOVE)

(REMOVE) Anything that delivers meaning is art. There is a reason why I don’t appreciate the blur in modern art. I feel modern “art” conflicts with the very basic Nothing helps me feel better, but my expression on a canvas.
What is your creative process and how often do you sketch?

Before I begin sketching, I first decide on the kind of art that I am going to do. There are so many forms of art. Abstracts usually don’t take much time to create but I would have to spend a lot of time gathering ideas. Abstract sketches are more authentic and almost everything is drawn from memory. Hyper-realistic sketches, which are mainly hand-drawn portraits, take a lot of time to complete. Making a hyper-realistic hand-drawn portrait requires a lot of time and patience since a lot of focus on detail is required which develops over several years of solid practice.

I sketch for an hour every day. Practicing daily has helped me gain confidence and improved my work significantly.

Why do you prefer graphite and charcoal over other media? Do you experiment with other media?

Most of my black and white sketches are done using charcoal and graphite. One of the reasons as to why I prefer charcoal is that it takes lesser time as compared to oil or acrylic paintings. It is also easy to get used to such a medium. Cross-hatching is a very convenient method and I usually prefer using it for pen and ink sketches as it is not very time-consuming. When I work on bigger charcoal pieces I rely on smudging and blending. Making black and white sketches are comparatively simple. But I have always loved making paintings with watercolors and acrylic paints. I am more focused on working with a specific medium these days.

How do you choose the subject matter for your sketches?

I am quite known for making portraits of popular celebrities around the globe. I have done close to three hundred sketches since I joined college. Most of them are portraits of actors and musicians across the globe. I have drawn Clint Eastwood, Frank Sinatra, Emma Watson, Vikram, Taylor Swift, Shraddha Kapoor, Amy Jackson, Disha Patani, Parvathy Nair, Esha Gupta, Gal Gadot, and many more.
I also draw quick sketches related to current affairs, which eventually make the rounds on the internet. I once made a cartoon sketch of a person tossing an old 500 rupee note into the bin, highlighting that old currency notes would no longer be in use after demonetization.

In 2016, for the 15th Anniversary of New York City’s World Trade Center, I did an abstract sketch of the Twin towers which was a tribute to all those who lost their lives during the tragic 911 incident.

You recently held your first solo show,” Tatvik”. How did the experience help you as an artist?

I had my first solo art show, titled TATVIK, last year in Chennai, where I displayed black and white sketches, abstract paintings and a few colored sketches of celebrities and still life objects. The show was for three days and was conducted in ArtHouz India, Alwarpet. I got the opportunity to meet professional artists from whom I learnt a lot. It took me three full years to make those sketches and curate them. It really was an amazing experience for me as every single person who came to the show had something interesting to share after seeing my work. That was when I realized that each person would have a different way of interpreting art.

Who or what inspires you to sketch?

The passion to create something beautiful itself served as a major driving force for me to make more sketches and paintings. My mom and grand-dad were the ones who inspired me initially. They were both art enthusiasts and they were quite good at sketching. My fascination for art grew when I started to learn and admire the works of many classic European artists.

Being an artist, I have also been a great admirer of Pixar Animation Studios and Electronic Arts since childhood. The way they animate and bring characters that we see on the screen to life has always fascinated me. When I was young I used to make quick sketches of Pixar characters in my sketchbook. At a very young age I discovered that art was something I really loved.

What do you think about the art landscape in India? What problems do young artists like you tend to face?

From what I have observed, I can confidently say that the appreciation for art has  slowly started to grow. Things aren’t the same anymore, we now have so many platforms on the net to showcase our work and it is now a lot easier to find willing buyers in the city.
Many are not even encouraged to pursue a career in arts due to the misconception that there aren’t enough prospects. should realize that, in the future, there will be more demand for the ones who can think critically and innovatively.

How has Instagram & Facebook helped you showcase your art?

Instagram and Facebook would be brilliant platforms for any aspiring artist to showcase their works. People who are into art and music benefit the most. It helps your work get all the attention it deserves and gives you the opportunity to connect with other artists. Some of the celebrities I drew have helped me share my sketches on their Instagram page. People who follow those celebrities would be able to see my portraits and the reach is simply amazing.

 

 

What is your dream as a sketch artist? Where would you want the trajectory of your life as an artist to take you?

I do not know if becoming a full-time artist would help me put bread on the table as
classic art is slowly losing popularity in many places. We must acknowledge the fact that we live in a digital world and there is so much demand for design and animation. I would love to work on projects that combine design and technology, which indeed requires innovative thinking. My dream is to become an art director, and I hope in the years to come I learn and grow more as an artist.

Do you have any advice for young artists in the country?

Anyone who creates anything beautiful to make this world a better place to live in is an artist. I strongly believe that anyone can become a good artist. Practicing hard and loving what you do are some of the key factors that will help you become successful in any field. We must follow our heart and not let anything stop us from achieving our goal. It is important that we learn from your mistakes because making mistakes would give us the opportunity to learn something new.

What are your thoughts about Stoned Santa as a platform for artists and creators? 

Stoned Santa is family. It has given me the confidence that my art actually has the ability to sell. I believe it is far ahead of other such platforms because it focuses on more than just business, it focuses on creating a community of artists to make art great again. 

Editors Note – Akansha Bahl

Anirudh’s work is grounded by the observations of its cultural domain. His work is perceptive and chronicles what the young Indian watches and experiences today and is thus accessible to all those who can afford consideration.

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An upside down journey – Fahad Al Abri

An upside down journey – Fahad Al Abri

by | Jun 11, 2018 | interview, TEDx

An upside down journey – Cavemangram aka Fahad Al Abri

Art should be a priority because there is nothing more valuable than humanity and art is an expression of our humanity. You can’t buy humanity with money or success.
~ Fahad Al Abri aka Cavemangram

There are many ways to look at life and this world, whether it’s through technology, art spiritualism or more. But here’s one way you might not have heard of before- upside down. That’s right, there is one happy soul out in this world who is introducing the way of the handstand!

The handstand and how it all began.

Fahad Al Abri, an Omani fitness coach, discovered the beauty of the handstand when he realised that it gave him a different perspective on everything around him. To him, the pose not only symbolises the physical and mental strength required to hold it but it also represents standing out of one’s comfort zone. Always one to push the boundaries, Fahad has taken on the mission of performing the iconic handstand pose in every city across the world as a way of bringing different cultures together through one common expression- that of viewing upside down.

Having covered an impressive 43 cities so far, one of his favourite views was when he did the handstand in Delhi.

His journey takes him not only across countries but also to some diverse terrains. But the handstand master conquers them all.
“The most difficult terrain was when I went to handstand on the highest sand dune in the world. Balancing on sand is tricky because the sand is soft, shaky and you can’t get a good grip, making it really challenging! It’s important because it helps us to understand how to stand and adjust in different environments, it’s a life lesson.”

When walking upside down became about world peace

What started as a personal journey then became a platform for international peace when Fahad faced difficulty with entering other countries on his travels. These restrictions and divides propelled him to promote world peace and harmony throughout his handstand journey. This led him to share his message on one of the world’s biggest and most inspirational platforms- TEDx. A two-time TEDx speaker, Fahad has inspired many through the symbolism of his upside down approach.

“Delhi having one of the highest populations in this world, I find it incredible that everyone and all these different religions can live together in peace. They manage to stand for what they believe in and realize that strength is in their differences.”

Art in the life of a traveling soul.

When he’s not promoting world peace on his hands, Fahad enjoys spreading musical hoy with his ukelele which he thinks of as a “happy” instrument. To him, the art of music is another way of expression in his daily life.

“Art should be a priority because there is nothing more valuable than humanity and art is an expression of our humanity. You can’t buy humanity with money or success.”

When it comes to the finer things in life, Fahad firmly believes that traditional and handmade art forms should be preserved as it is a part of our culture and a way of honoring our ancestors and our past. He enjoys gifting people with mementos on random days just to spread joy. When asked about the intimacy of personalizing a gift and how it ceases to exist today, he said:

That’s funny that you ask because my girlfriend just said that she would like to bring back the art of giving actual birthday/celebration cards to our friends and family as it makes the gesture more personal and meaningful. It shows that you spent time picking something and nothing can replace a handwritten message of love. Obviously I agree with her.

TEDx SRMNCR and Cavemangram

In fact, Fahad’s memento at the TEDxSRMNCR was a personalized String art gift that was created by the artists at Stoned Santa and he simply loved the fact that it was handmade.

“I thinks its great and I loved my gift. I loved the fact that it was handmade and personalized for me. It’s important for artists to have a platform like Stoned Santa in order to reach a wider range of people.”

Editors Note – Shraddha

In today’s world of differences, it amazes me that Fahad could turn something as simple as a handstand into a window to a whole new world. Of course, if you think about it, the handstand is only simple to look at. An act that is challenging both physically and mentally, this one pose gives us so much to learn from whether it’s pushing our boundaries, stepping out of our comfort zones or being one with the world around us. It’s a beautiful language that can speak across religions, nationalities, and cultures and maybe that’s what the world needs today. Here’s to seeing Fahad upside down in more countries in the years to come!

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Monsieur Monstro – Art taught me to rise above jealousy

Monsieur Monstro – Art taught me to rise above jealousy

by | May 17, 2018 | Artist - Monstro, interview

Monsieur Monstro – Art taught me to rise above jealousy

Art has given my life meaning. Everything I do, I do it for Art. It has given me life and a spirit to hustle.
~ Monsieur Monstro aka Rohan Dayal

Rohan Dayal aka Monsieur Monstro is a young Indian artist from Mathura with wisdom that explores more than just the textbooks prescribed to students his age. A 12th standard student Rohan is famously known by the name, Monsieur Monstro.  Stoned Santa talks with Monstro about his journey as an artist, and how he has managed to juggle between studies, art and his daily routine.
Despite the limitations of the Indian society, Monstro’s flair for expressing art is inspiring the whole artistic community to do more and be more.

How has your journey been as an artist? 

My journey as an artist started as soon as I learned to walk and talk. It has always been a part of me and will continue to be for as long as I live. Extroverts express by communicating, I express my feelings and thoughts through art – on paper, canvas using pencils, colors and more. My journey as an artist has been great and will hopefully evolve and grow with each passing day.

The first instance of me picking up a pencil was out of jealousy, I wanted to be better than someone else. I was such a dumbo, I still am. Jealousy taught me art and art taught to rise above jealousy.

Why the name Monstro?

Monstro literally means ‘Huge’. The letter T is the Roman Satanic symbol, Cross of confusion which doubts the validity of norms and religion. The letter inverted R in my name’s initial – Rohan. It is placed just beside the Cross of confusion.

 Monstro is the satanic self-image of Rohan.

What is art to you?

Anything that delivers meaning is art. There is a reason why I don’t appreciate the blur in modern art. I feel modern “art” conflicts with the very basic definition of art which is an expression that is comprehensive to the world. I feel if someone wants to visit the real forms of art, they will have to time travel to the Renaissance time period. I try my best to formulate my rough expressions into a perfect message.

Nothing helps me feel better, but my expression on a canvas.

What gave you the inspiration to not give up and to improve yourself as an artist every day?

Well, I never felt normal, always felt out of place. My parents and the crowd around me expected me to be different, ‘Normal’, if I may say. The only place I could be my true self-was with art. I could let my devils out here and there was no one to stop me. So, art is my biggest inspiration. It tells me every day that I don’t have to follow the rules that the society claims is the right way of living. The definition of “normal” set by the society doesn’t resonate with mine. Art is my world where I am the ruler and I set the rules. 

How has being an artist affected your personal growth and built you as a man in character?

Art has taught me discipline. It has given my life meaning, helped me focus and shaped my personality. I’m surviving school and getting through with it only because I hope to get into a fine arts college later and be able to pursue being an artist as a full-time affair.

How do you plan your work?

I lucid dream and experiment with concepts and colors. But since I’m not a natural lucid dreamer it actually takes me months to get to lucid. But once I’m in that state of mind I come up with hundreds of ideas at once. I then organize these ideas into my journal, I believe in recording my ideas on paper. Some ideas never make it into an artwork. Some dreams are incomplete and I fuse them with other dreams so that the final artwork makes sense.
Planning is very essential. When I work on my masterpiece, I plan my work months ahead. I refer to my journal for my previous ideas. I review my ideas, arrange them and fuse them together to create hybrids. It’s fun fusing my ideas to create something entirely different. This strategy has always helped me run vivid experiments to create new art masterpieces.

Are your art pieces imaginative or fictional characters?

My work is a fusion of imagination and characters I observe around. Drawing fictional characters is pretty helpful, it helps you be more imaginative. I usually paint fictional characters to improve my skillsets. Creating master art pieces is the blend of imagination, skills and hard work. 
Technology has taken over the lives of humans today. How has technology influenced art, artists and their process of creating art? 

That’s true. Technology does play a major role in all aspects of society these days. Although, there’s one thing technology cannot achieve, It’s developing artistic skills and ideas in people. That’s where raw talent comes into the picture. From a bigger perspective, technology hasn’t made a huge difference in the art world. But it has helped a lot of artists showcase their talent and work to a wider audience using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest etc. Technology has made it possible for us artists to make our art reach out to more people.

What do you feel about the monetory outlook of art these days? Should art be commercialized?  

Art is the most expensive thing in the world. Art is a part of an artist, what price can you place on it? It is a shame that some people ran out of their respect for art. I feel good about organizations like Stoned Santa, the forum is reviving the artistic community with respect.

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Thoughts on the “Art Market”

Art market is a SCAM perpetuated by the rich to launder money. I know a hell lot of Lazy unartistic unskilled brats who create pretentious art for ELITISTS who buy it in an attempt to show how sophisticated, deep and artistic they are.
For instance a canvas by Robert Ryman fetched $15 million at auction creating a milestone in the history of white-on-white painting. In a record month for New York art auctions, one standout was an all-white work that sold for $15 million. Simply put, a blank canvas was sold by the holy art market for  $15 million.
They call it art, I call it BULLSHIT.

Criticism and Monstro?

I’m sure every human, be it a doctor, an artist or a sportsperson gets good and bad reviews. I don’t give a FUCK about them. I am what I am and I try to be the best version of Monsieur Monstro. 

I love Stoned Santa, it has given me the confidence that my art actually has the ability to sell. I believe it is far ahead of other such art platforms because it focuses on more than just business. It focuses on the creator and the artist. More power to Stoned Santa.

What’s your most important artist tool? Something indispensable.
Graphite – The very first medium I was introduced to. A pencil, though a simple object is most necessary.

Who is your favorite artist and artwork?
I believe in myself the most. I am my favorite artist and my art pieces are my favorite.

How do you relieve stress?
I turn to other forms of art. Music, sculpting, and poetry. It helps me focus and get back on track. 

What’s your advice to the upcoming artists of the generation?
Work harder than anyone. There’s no other alternative or shortcuts.

What are your thoughts about Stoned Santa and how has your experience been working with us?
Stoned Santa is family. It has given me the confidence that my art actually has the ability to sell. I believe it is far ahead of other such platforms because it focuses on more than just business, it focuses on creating a community of artists to make art great again. 

Editors Note – Prathiksha Ravishankar

It’s always hard to balance out between things. Being a student and working as an artist might be hard to balance and prioritize. But a class 12 student, Rohan Dayal, a.k.a Monsieur Monstro, makes it seem like a cake walk! He seeks inspiration from within himself and has a profound sense of discipline. Kudos to many more years of Monsieur Monstro spinning the pallet around.

Monstro has been working with Stoned Santa for over a year and has made personalized art for over 30 people. We are glad to have him work with us and we hope to achieve great artistic feats together. 

 
 

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