‘Don’t erase your lines; believe in your artwork’

Saswati Chinmayee is a medicine (PCMB) student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. But before that, she has carved out a unique identity for herself – one that speaks for itself. She is an artist and a prolific one too. 

Her artwork was selected last year in the United Nations calendar. She has won the first prize in the national level poster making competition organised by the Ministry of Environment, Government of India. And the achievements are many more.

In the newly launched Apeejay Aspiring Artist interview series, Saswati explains what makes her unique as an artist, and beautifully explains how art is all about how one sees the world in their creative vision. Read edited excerpts:

Despite having such a rigorous academic schedule, how do you take out the time to paint?

It is not that one has to always paint on a bigger form such as on a A3 size sheet. One can paint anywhere one wants. For example, even if I am studying Biology, I can paint the microorganisms I read about. No matter what and where I am drawing, I put my whole heart in it. It is always fun to draw even if it is a little doodle in my copy margins. 

For the bigger artworks, I do that in my free time. When I get tired of studying, then painting comes to my rescue. We often have a schedule of continuous two hours of studying. Then in the one hour of break, I paint to relax. 

What is your definition of art?

Art is all about creating what comes to your heart and mind. It’s about what you imagine the world is for you. There is a simple tree in the distance, but how would you imagine it? Would you want the leaves in a specific way in your artistic vision, do you want to draw them pointed or broad?  Art is all about what you see in your heart and mind!

How do you approach any artwork?

I have never thought about how I approach an artwork. I just go along with the flow. If there is no topic given to me, I then just imagine something in my mind and it changes as I work in the process. It is a spontaneous creative process as you work along. Trust the process!

Your favourite art form?

It would be painting for me. I really like colouring, mixing to bring out new shades of colours, that is my speciality. 

How does your school help you as an artist?

My school helps me a lot. I am improving constantly due to the exposure I am getting, thanks to the different competitions I get through the school. If you are only doing your creative work, your ideas would be limited. But when you are seeing the whole world, how everyone else imagines this beautiful world, you’ll get unique ideas. You’ll always get better this way as you learn from others!

A painting tip for beginners

For beginners, I have mostly observed they are just making lines and then erasing them. They stop believing that the artwork will be good. My advice is to believe in yourself and your artwork. Don’t erase the lines. 

Your next artwork is?

It is going to be on the canvas. My family has asked me to make a pair of fishes, to hang it on the wall at home (laughs). So, I’ll make it. It will be in Madhubani art style. 

What makes you unique as an artist?

It is my own style. The way I present my artwork is different from others. Other artists colour flatly or give certain textures. I, on the other hand, mix all styles in my painting. I shade and mix styles in my paintings. It is never only one style for me. I have that variety in my artworks. There are shades of multiple artforms.