Being a working mother is never an easy journey for any mommy. Every mom has something special to share. They go through a lot of ups and downs, breakdowns, failures, and sleepless nights before achieving success.
A story of a successful working mother not only inspires other mothers to work or try for success, but also allows them to learn from their experiences and follow the leads to make the journey easier.
So, today, we interviewed Shruti Vij, who is an “artist mother”. She has shared about her inspiration, work, work management, and success journey to inspire other working mommies. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.
Let’s Begin…….
1. Where did you find inspiration for your work and how have you developed your career as an artist?
I find my deepest source of inspiration simply in the ‘ process ‘ of creating something out of nothing. As a rule, I never know what my painting will look like before I begin and this mystery is exactly what creates the excitement and curiosity. I need to stay inspired. I rely on my own intuition and the concept of ‘working with what’s working ‘ to keep momentum as my paintings emerge naturally on their own time.
I was mentored by a very good art teacher, during school time which sort of laid the foundation art for me. During my post-grad years at NIFT, I was more closely acquainted with art and learned a lot about styles and works of other artists from across the world. I was always connected with art but started pursuing it full-time in the early 2000s. It was a gradual progression for me to become a full-time artist.
2. What does your work aim to say?
I am a visual artist. For me, visual appeal, color, and shape define my work. My abstracts are a riot of color, they represent me and my thoughts. Whenever I paint I disconnect from the outside world and I think that shows on canvas. The common thread that runs through my artworks is their completeness and self-sustainability. I rarely do series, each of my canvases is a story in itself and doesn’t depend on the other. My work also represents joy and optimism. I usually paint when I am in a good mood and that reflects in my work. You look at the artwork and feel joyous.
3. How do you manage your work and family together? Can you share a few tips with us?
I have always been an early riser. I start my day early morning and have a strict time regime to follow. I have divided my day accordingly with regard to my housework and my art studio work. I strongly believe that people who want to achieve something in life should be time-bound. Time management helps you prioritize your tasks so that you ensure you have enough time available to complete every project. The quality of your work increases when you’re not rushing to complete it ahead of a fast-approaching deadline.
4. Did you always want to be an artist?
To be honest it was not a conscious decision, I started curating my works on the website to build a platform for them and to showcase them to a larger global audience. The rest just followed. I started getting inquiries through the website for selling my designs and I thought of giving it a shot.
5. What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Art gives a perspective to life. I believe, that in life, hope and faith are the most important anchors that keep us motivated and keep us going. Art gives hope, at least I try to do that with my work. Art is uplifting, at times, it shows a mirror to society. The art on the walls of your home becomes a part of your existence, it’s an extension of yourself. It makes you happy and fulfilled.
6. Do you have any message you would like to give moms who want to pursue their career in Painting?
My advice for the moms would be to have faith in themselves. Following your heart, inner vision, and passion can lead you to do the very thing you love & cherish, even if it takes a L-O-N-G time. Art is not easy just like any other field. If you want to make a mark, work hard and work consistently. The more you work the better you will get at your craft. Look around, take a moment to absorb the sights and sounds around you, and paint away.
7. If any, what challenges have you experienced as a woman or as a mom in your work life during your overall career?
Not really, as I did not have any problems pertaining to funds. All I needed was some space for my art studio and some art equipment. I started off with a small room in my house and made it my studio where I would do my painting. The art materials came out of the savings I had made over a few years. There are everyday issues that you have to take in your stride, some big some small but at the end of the day, it’s a joyous journey. Your focus should be on your expertise and what you are offering and the money will follow.
I am focused on my art and always strive to better it. When I get an appreciation for that it means a lot to me and when people want to have it for keeps, make it a part of their lives, it is highly gratifying. My family has been very supportive of my work and has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
8. Would you like to tell us about your work?
I do not subscribe to complicated concepts, my idea of art is simply beauty. I like to leave it free, it’s about what touches my heart. The common element that runs through all my works is beauty that appeals to everyone and puts a smile on the viewer’s face. I love doing mainly abstracts and mixed media artworks. My works create a visual rhapsody of color and strokes that come to life on canvas. My palate includes a variety of reds, blues, and greens that enthrall the viewer and are a visual treat to the eyes. The uplifting patterns enhance the artwork creating a multidimensional effect.
I have enjoyed each and every show that I have been a part of. It has been a great learning experience for me. I have improved as an artist and my style has evolved over time and I attribute this partly to my shows.
As an artist one continually evolves and improves, art is a journey and not a destination. And in the coming times, I will achieve more and inspire people through my artwork.
For any queries, you can visit my website http://www.shrutiarts.yolasite.com/
Below are some of my artwork that you would love.
Conclusion
Considering the journey of Shruti Vij, achieving success in work is never an easy task. All you need is a true inspiration, motivation, and constant efforts to achieve success. The “artist mother” has gone through a lot of ups and downs during the success journey. Despite this, she keeps a tight hold on her work and family to keep everything together and play every role in her life perfectly.
This is not her destination; it is just a beginning toward her destination. So, we wish her all the best for the future and hope other working mommies get inspired to begin their success journey from today.
