Today we’d like to introduce you to Radhika Srinivas.
Hi Radhika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey as an artist started way back when I was growing up in India. I grew up in a university campus where my dad was a Professor of Physics and a renowned scientist. My mother was a traditional Indian artist. Watching her draw and paint influenced and inspired me to study art as my profession. I went to college to get a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art and then studied to be a textile designer. I worked as a designer for a custom carpet company in NYC before I became a mother of two daughters.
It was only after much later that I decided to go back to my love of watercolors and practiced and showed professionally. As my journey continued I was also learning from other fellow artists. This improved my art tremendously hence giving me the confidence to show and compete at national levels.
I continue to grow as an artist as there is a lot more to learn.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say it has always been a smooth road. As I had taken a long Hiatus to raise my kids, it has taken a longer time for me to become a professional artist. Art is a lifelong journey. Since I have a very supportive family I have been able to pursue my passion to my heart’s content.
Lately I have also taken up teaching and to my surprise I enjoy it immensely. I absolutely love sharing my knowledge with my students.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have worked in all mediums. I enjoy all of them very much since each medium informs the other. But my first passion has always been watercolors since I was in college.
Watercolor is such a spontaneous medium and when you think you have control over it, it controls you. What I have learnt from this medium is that one has to learn to let go.
I love to paint urban scenes from my various travels. I see beauty in the everyday life and love to capture the essence in a very impressionistic style.
I have painted some scenes from India with some of it’s complex architectural elements. My style is tight where it needs to be and very loose and atmospheric in the less important areas, thereby letting the viewers finish the story.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have joined a lot of Watercolor and other art organizations where I have participated in various events organized by them.
These organizations also invite top artists to give workshops which have been very useful. Plein air events are another wonderful way to connect and network with other artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radhikasrinivasfineart.com
- Instagram: @radhikasrinivasfineart
- Facebook: Radhika Srinivas Fine Art
