Interviews
BeyondBooks: ‘Painting has improved my productivity’
The portraitist from Apeejay School, Kharghar, draws her inspiration from nature for her art
The portraitist from Apeejay School, Kharghar, draws her inspiration from nature for her art
Published
7 months agoon

She calls herself a naive artist who sometimes gets guidance from teachers as well as parents when it comes to her artwork. She likes to paint abstract art or nature-inspired art with the base of imagination. And the best part? She has trained herself to work with acrylic paints. Meet Siddhi Darunkar, a student of Class X from Apeejay School, Kharghar. Studying in this school for the last four years, she shares her artistic journey, among other things.
Whatinspired you to start painting?
Initially, I found my inspiration in my teachers who encouraged me to paint and indulge in a hobby. This was followed by the appreciations, sometimes positive and sometimes negative feedback from friends and family.
How do you decide what to paint?
It depends on my mood. I use my imagination, but sometimes I get some reference images from the Internet or some ideas from my parents or friends.
Is there a particular artist you admire?
Nature is my sole inspiration for art. It inspires me, motivates me and also leads my mind and imagination to a creative world. Additionally, I feel that every artist has their way to convey thoughts and imagination in the form of a painting. I believe that nobody can mimic any of the artist’s style as it is unique for everyone.

How has painting helped you in other areas of your studies or personal life?
By engaging in painting, I have developed an ability to focus, concentrate and stay engaged, which has improved my productivity and creativity.
What does painting mean to you personally?
Personally, for me, painting is a way to transform my emotions into visuals and to convey my messages thoughtfully and creatively.
How does the school/teachers support you?
I get a lot of support from teachers regarding my co-curricular activities; they encourage me to participate in various competitions and also to submit my artwork for exhibitions. My teachers always motivate me by complimenting my work and also guide me on how to correct my mistakes in the artwork.
Shalini is an Executive Editor with Apeejay Newsroom. With a PG Diploma in Business Management and Industrial Administration and an MA in Mass Communication, she was a former Associate Editor with News9live. She has worked on varied topics - from news-based to feature articles.