Tuesday 13 January 2015

Inspiring Eminent Artist: Trishna Patnaik

As I promised in the last post, here I am with an artist who was doing great in her professional life, but then she realized that 'Art' is her first love and now she is following her heart. So without further ado, let me introduce you to a very talented painter- Trishna Patnaik



Please let us know little more about you.  
Disha, Thank you for this opportunity. 
Well, I am Trishna Patnaik , a Bsc (in Life Sciences) and MBA (in Marketing) by qualification but an artist by choice. A self-taught artist so to speak and, I have been practicing art for 13 years now.
I have had a few professional stints in various corporate of repute. Three years of my corporate stint made me realize that I’m designed for something more meaningful.  I found my true calling in my strength, my hobby, my inner voice, my freedom/ platform to express, my passion that is painting.

I’m now a full-time professional painter pursuing my passion to create and explore to the fullest.  Contemporary Art is what gets me going. I am working smart on developing my unique style. It’s a road less traveled but a journey that I look forward to everyday.  

















I am glad to know that you are following your heart now. When and how you realized your passion about Painting.
Painting for me has been synonymous to meditation. It has been my stress buster, my get away, my platform to express, my energizer for as long as I can remember. 
Coming from a service sector inclined background getting a decent job after a decent degree was always a priority in the family! But there was a perpetual uneasiness in everything I pursued .Because I was doing it as I ‘HAD’ to do it. Only when I use to paint I felt ‘Free’. There was no ‘Have’ to do it then!
Also the other part of the story is that use to dislike the whole thought of an art class in my school. It was so rule book based, so full of marks and grades etc. Draw and paint a rainy day or accident on a road or a mela etc. were the usual topics in school.  I could never really understand that I am good in this or inclined towards art!Probably because of which the thought to go to an Art School never occurred to me at all.
I preferred art which I learned and did as my hobby with various artists during weekends and vacations. It was in my 10th std vacation that I enjoyed the whole learning process a lot more! I kept coming back to it in every vacation or even weekends till my graduation. In fact I began even painting my own artworks. Then my MBA happened and then I got a job.
As I got more and more into the routine of a desk job, I felt more and more claustrophobic, disoriented. It was because I lacked a goal! I found my solace only when I painted! So I moonlight as a painter. In the process worked for almost 16 hours a day for almost 2 years! Finally I took the call to be a Full Time Artist. 
I believe I am born to paint. I believe I am fluid. In other words creative, hence sticking to a routine for a lifetime would be ridiculous! I am glad I am a self taught artist, as it keeps the spark of the perpetual need to learn going. I am learning till date and will always continue to do so!  





That's very inspiring Trishna. We would love to know more about your passion. How many mediums and techniques of painting you have worked on. 
I have dabbled with all mediums right from pencil to charcoal to colour pencils to pastels to water colours to acrylics to oils!
Each medium is beautiful and has something unique to offer. 
I have applied techniques as per the artworks requirement. The purpose of using a technique is not to ‘USE IT’ to prove a point but to add value to a painting without making that ‘VALUE ADDITION’ obvious.
I believe the whole point of been a painter is to express rather than impress.
And once you are set to only express, the medium of expression can vary and the techniques could be straight out of the book or even something which has never been seen before.

I really admire your thought process Trishna. Though for a passionate painter like you it's difficult to answer this but I would love to know which one is your favorite medium and why.
Now that’s difficult to choose. It actually depends on the painting.
I never paint on the paper or canvas. I always paint in my mind first and then I only manually pursue my artwork with my hands.
Sometimes I need Charcoal to complete my rendition, sometimes its water colours and sometimes even Acrylics!
I love the fact how a small Charcoal stick or crayon can create fire on paper!
I love the ease with which water colours leave their base transparent and are so intriguing!
Acrylics, well what can I say, it’s the fastest and the least messy of all the mediums. A masterpiece can be created in no time!





What inspires you to paint. Is it nature, human, everyday life or something else.
Everything around me is inspiring. If not to the conscious mind then definitely to the subconscious However, I am more inclined towards three different themes within the Contemporary Art arena.
One theme is Abstracts, the second is Graphics and the third Faces.
I like the inflow of colour in various modes, directions, paths etc. to make my abstracts.
I like the amalgamation of shapes, silhouette, forms etc. to make my graphics.
I like to work around faces of woman with a contemporary touch to it.


































What other than Painting excites you.
Well, it’s a cliche, but I guess I eat, live, breathe painting only as it’s my passion.
I want to pursue a course in Curatorial Studies in the near future to expand my wings in the arena of Art.
I do enjoy the thought of baking though and would like to explore the idea of been a film critic some day.
And I am planning to learn the guitar this year, as I enjoy music on a very basic level! 


Please share the links where we can find your Art work and where my blog readers can get connected with you.
I am planning on having my own website by next year maybe.

Last but not the least, as everyone dreams of being something in life, what you have dreamed of.
My dream is to leave a legacy behind me. I don’t want to live a regular life where after 60 years, I get a pension and have a farmhouse and I say to myself I have lived my dream so now I will relax and enjoy! I want every day to be a challenge. I want everyday to be new. I want to wake up every day with a smile on my face and clueless of what life throws next at me. My dream is to be a perpetual stream of water that is in no hurry to find a shore.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Trishna it was great pleasure to know about you and your true passion. I wish you all the success ahead. Thoughts play a major role in determining the quality of life and your thoughts just reflect that you are living a beautiful life. Thanks for inspiring all of us.
Dear readers what do you think about this amazing artist. Do drop a line or two. You can read about other inspiring eminent artists by clicking this link.

Stay tuned!! I am exploring a new device and will be talking about it in my next post.

P.S. All the image are provided by Trisha Patnaik and subject to copyright.





Monday 12 January 2015

Gratitude!!

I have so much to be thankful for. As the new year begins I strongly feel that it's a time to say 'thank you' to each and every one of you. You all have been my strength, courage & support throughout my blogging journey. I was nothing and you all made me a beautiful person, I feel content and happy all the time. I find myself very fortunate that I got connected with such wonderful and lovely people in this virtual world of blogging. Now I have friends from many different countries, religions and cultures and that's what I love about blogging. 

Thankfulness


I am grateful to God for giving everything that I had in the past, I have today and will have in future. I am grateful to my parents, siblings and my wonderful, lovely, sweet & small family for their endless support and selfless love, for their precious time that they spend with me and make me feel special, for their encouraging words that keep me going, I couldn't ask for more. I am grateful to all fellow bloggers who are always there to help and keep inspiring me. I am grateful to you all my friends and readers, you never fail to encourage and support me, no matter in which part of the world you are, you are always there for me whenever I need you. Thank you! Thank you very much.

I would like to thank those friends too, who always see negative in me, who try to put me down, who always discourage me and try to create negativity around me, who criticize me in every way possible, who never even congratulate me on my success, people....believe me you are my best friends because you bring the best out of me. Every time you try to put me down I rise and run with strength double than earlier. I am very grateful to you friends, but I request you to stop being jealous, instead be grateful for what all you have got, as gratitude blocks toxic emotions :) look in the mirror, think about me and SMILE :) kill those toxic emotions as soon as possible. 

My dear friends and readers, I read somewhere and would like to share the secret to happiness with you, it's Gratitude!!
"Gratitude is not only the greatest virtues, but the parent of all the others".
                                                                                                                   -Cicero
Secret to happiness is- express gratitude, practice kindness, spread cheer and savor joy. I have experienced this many a times that when you become grateful for everything that happens in life, you see the world with new eyes, you find yourself calm, happy and content, your life becomes full of wonderful opportunities.

Thankfulness

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my dear friends Vandana and Nayana, who sent very beautiful and thoughtful gift for me. Thanks girls!! We joined a wonderful group on FB called 'Urban Gardeners Around The World' and we decided to send some gardening related gifts to each other. This is what I got. I am a happy girl now :)
Nayana sent me beautiful wooden trinket box, lovely dangler and cinnamon sticks. I loved them all :)

Thankfulness

Vandana sent me fabulous orange watering can planter and very classy Varnam box. What lovely friends and what beautiful gifts :)


I have lot to share but I wish I had at least 36 hrs in a day to make it possible. Let me quickly share some very important things:
1) My blog is considered as one the best Indian design blogs. Thank you Hindustan Times :)
2) It crossed more than 4,50,000 hits recently. Thank you readers :)
3) I earned money in six figures in just 4 months and that too through blogging. Thanks to Blogger, Google and my clients :)
4) I did my very first commissioned wall art project, post about it will be coming shortly. Thanks to the wonderful client :)
5) I took plunge into the video blogging and it's also paying me handsomely. Thanks to viewers :) You can subscribe to my Youtube channel here.

That's all from me. Stay tuned lovely people, a very talented artist will be joining us soon.



Sunday 11 January 2015

Winter Putz Display




While most people display their Putz Houses during the Christmas season,

I reserve mine for a favorite winter display...

Why?

Because, I have way too much Christmas decor to display and not enough surface space to show and share it all at the same time!





And it's something that I look forward to after the Christmas decor is all put away!



Plus, I hand made all these Putz Houses except

Saturday 3 January 2015

LivingRoom Winter Decor!






I don't mind taking down Christmas decorations because I have so much winter decor to put in it's place!
This year I made this felt snowflake pillow...




Just by adding old buttons and ball trim made it the cutest pillow on the couch!


I found these small skates at a vintage and decor shop.


And an old wooden bowl of faux snowballs compliments the theme.


Add my bit of primitive, and

Friday 26 December 2014

The Best of 2014




When 2014 first arrived, I thought this was going to be a lean year in terms of projects. My home was close to what I wanted it to look like
                                                 ...but oh I was wrong.
It's been a great year of improvements and completely new creations!


Beginning with this French china hutch that I actually purchased to "paint and sell". It turned out to fabulous

Tuesday 23 December 2014

ZupiterG: One Stop Destination For Home Decor Products

Hola readers!! We are heading towards the most beautiful time of the year, Christmas & New Year. Whether you have made a list of your New Year resolutions or not, but I am very sure that you must be having a long list of gifts to buy for your near and dear ones. Choosing a right and perfect gift can be a mind bending task and can burn hole in your pockets too. 
What if I say that for Rs 3000/-  you can buy perfect gifts for at-least 6-8 people. Unbelievable and exciting right!! I have found something amazing for all of you. Dear friends let me introduce you to an online store that offers handcrafted and beautifully designed home decor products, jewelry, tableware & lot more: ZupiterG 

About: ZupiterG is a team of Engineers, Management Professionals, Designers and philosophers, who have come together to make home decor more interesting through their contemporary designs and crafted products. ZupiterG offers an exclusive range of hand crafted products and beauty of handcrafted product is that no two products would be exactly the same. Now that's a win win situation, unique and affordable products without compromising quality. What more one can ask for. 


Home Decor Products

Website: Website layout is quite simple and not that complicated most of the online shopping portals have these days. The products are categorized, sub categorized and grouped under different tabs, like 'Home Decor', 'Table Top', 'Jewelry' & 'Gifts'. 'Quick view' option is there to get the complete information about the product that catches your eye, without even leaving the web page. You can search, filter and sort products according to your need. Navigation is quite simple and easy.
ZupiterG is a customer friendly online store, cancellation & refund policies are liberal. So you need not to worry about it at all. Even after placing order if you want to cancel it, you can do so without any hassle within 24 hours and money will be refunded within 10 working days.
Various payment options are available, like Paypal, they accept almost all major credit cards. Security of your information is their prime concern. There is payment gateway, that means your credit card information is not getting stored, so no worries.

Online Home Decor Store


Products: Their products are handcrafted and exquisite. I was awestruck by the beauty of their handcrafted products. I have been using some of their products and let me tell you that quality of products are just too good at unbelievably affordable price range. Take a peek of some of their drool worthy and must have home decor products and jewelry.

Royal Craft Metal
Royal Craft Metal

Candle Stands & Hurricanes

Home Decor Products

Jewelry 

Glass, Pearl, Kundan Jewelry

Now that you have seen some of their products and have already decided to buy all your gifts from ZupiterG, let me share some pros and cons of this website:
Pros:
- Handcrafted products are always unique and made with love. So you have got the luxury of having unique products at affordable pricing.
- They have exquisite collection of products. They are all beautifully designed.
- Website is totally customer friendly and you need not to worry about issues like security, cancellation and refund.
- Perfect and budget gifting range is available.

Cons:
- They offer beautiful and wide range of handcrafted products, so you will be spoiled for choice.
- You will have a hard time choosing a product, as you will be tempted to buy most of them.

Here's how these beauties are adorning corners in my home:
Don't you love the dangler that's enhancing the beauty of this antique vase. I totally loved it.

ZupiterG

These beautiful glass beads necklaces are every girl's dream. They are lovely and vibrant in colour.

ZupiterG

Here is my favorite thing, antique floral photo frame. This time I wanted to display something other than family photograph so I wrote a 'family quote' and it's looking perfect.


Lovely glass votive with beautiful dangler, vignette that I always wanted in my living room's corner.

ZupiterG


Now please take out some time to browse through their product gallery and hurry up, as festive sale is going on and you would be lucky enough to get the gifts for your loved ones in budget less than what you might have fixed. 
Here is link: ZupiterG

Happy shopping folks!!

Wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!


Saturday 20 December 2014

Christmas Tree Banner & Stocking




While decorating my main Christmas Tree this year, I chose to go red and natural...



Natural by adding Quail



A twig Star



And I made this cloth banner...






On a trip to Kansas City, we stopped by Nell Hill's, a fabulous decor and furniture store like no other! The prices are great too! I picked up a yard of this fabric...





Not knowing what I was going to do with it, I put it