The Rebellion of the Canvas: Shruti’s Fight to Become an Artist on Her Own Terms
I always had an inherent interest and talent for art. Initially it was not easy to make art my profession . When I approached galleries , the first question would be ” which art school are you from?” I did not have an answer as I am a trained designer and a self taught artist and had never taken a single art class. But I did not give up and worked very hard. I wanted my art to speak for itself. I let my imagination guide me and be reflected on the canvas. For me art has always been soul satisfying.
My life took a different turn as I completed my course in designing from the prestigious NIFT, New Delhi. I specialised in leather designing. I entered a career in export and buying houses. It did not excite me and after a few months, one day, I just picked up a brush and started painting.
I used to work for around 8-10 hours a day. It was then I realised my passion and the fact that I wanted to be a full time artist. YouTube became my teacher as I spent hours to perfect my strokes. My first break was in Art Mall, New Delhi where I participated in a group show for Women’s Day.
In my case, since I started small, 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. My family has been very supportive of my work and have always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
I set up Shruti Arts to spread the word about the kind of work I do and I am glad to say that I have been very lucky to have such a great response to my platform which curates my artworks and I use it to sell it all over the world.
But I’ve also found that it’s not just the creativity and continual development that I love like I originally thought.It’s the freedom that comes with working for yourself.
My career goal has always been to able to spend my time doing work I enjoy, namely creative work, but in becoming a freelancer I’ve come to realise that I actually enjoy the freedom of being me own boss and running my own business as much as I do the creative work. I recognized it as my own and knew this was my art language.
I always prefer happy and hopeful endings when I hear a story, so I’ll leave you with this.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.
Since the journey is long, it is important to have courage and belief in your work. Don’t get dejected by criticism. Some times, the response may come very slowly, but if you have faith in what you are doing, you will get there.Â
Shruti Vij Artist
Gurugram based artist Shruti Vij is a product of the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, and is an art enthusiast, a painter with a distinct individual style. Always an avid follower of art, the artist herself acknowledges art as her true calling when, she decided to plunge her head into the world of painting.
Shruti Vij, an India-based artist who’s originally a Leather designer by profession, Shruti blended her artistic skills with her experiences in the fashion field, bringing about a perfect marriage of her two passions.
Art paved a way for her to express her feelings and experiences in no other way she had experienced before. She terms it as therapeutic and a healing process.
Painting for her is a passion and not a mere vocation that gives her an outlet to express her innermost feelings by creating a colourful world.
Shruti’s art is not limited by style or technique. She likes to leave it free. It is about what touches her heart. The common element that runs through all her works is beauty that appeals to everyone and puts a smile on the viewer’s face.
During the past few years, Shruti has participated in many art shows, mostly in and around Delhi and has won great appreciation from art lovers and critics alike. She has an art studio by the name of Shruti Arts.
To reach out to her visit:
