Art & Craft
Harshita Gakkhar: Framing Your Furry Friends In Watercolours
Growing up without a pet and surrounded by art, Harshita bases her portraits on the personal bond shared by the pet and the parent.

The happiness pets bring us cannot be completely captured in words. But, Harshita is doing exactly that with her real-life watercolour paintings. You cannot scroll through her Instagram account, in which she shares her pet portraits, without a smile on your face. So, we can imagine the contentment she gives to the pet parents with her portraits.
Harshita has had an interest in art since her childhood days. Coming from a family where her mother, aunt and other relatives took an interest in art and crafts, she has always been surrounded by art. She had a natural inclination towards art as she could form an instant bond with it. She took art classes in school and also took part in art-related contests and activities during her schooling in Step By Step High School in Jaipur. She was also very keen on exploring and experimenting various fields in art ranging from glass painting to wood painting to mandala art.
Her decision to choose her path in painting pet portraits came as a result of this quest for experimentation she had since her childhood. While seeking to do something that she has not tried during her earlier days, she picked up water colouring, which she found challenging. She notes how it is difficult to have control over watercolours unlike acrylic and oils, with which it is easier to rectify mistakes. She remembers how she had to start from the basics of watercolour. Beginning her watercolour journey from landscape paintings, she gradually moved on to portraits.

What made her pick pets to make portraits of was the compassion she had for animals. She notes that the eyes of cats and dogs “speak a lot” and they appear “soulful” to her. Making pet portraits was not an easy job and Gakkhar admits to having failed many times during the time she started it. But what kept her committed to it was the happiness her paintings brought to people.
She recalls the first time she made a pet portrait for a friend who lost a few-month-old puppy. The sudden demise had caused a lot of sorrow to the family when Gakkhar decided to immortalise the puppy in her canvas. The delight with which she recalls the joy her friend experienced upon receiving the portrait speaks volumes about the self-contentment she receives from making the paintings. The cheer that her first portrait brought to others made her realize that a lot of people could connect and associate with her art. The personal connection that she could bring out with her pet portraits was what made her enthusiastic about continuing her projects and posting them on Instagram. Putting her work out there for the world to see helped her in bringing happiness to all those who needed their beloved pets to be illustrated.
The love she has for the four-legged friends is quite evident in her paintings. But, you would be surprised to know that she did not have a pet growing up! However, she was always around the pets of her friends and family. Although she is a skilled painter of dogs, she remembers being scared of them in her childhood. Now, she says, she is happy to meet a dog and enjoys their company.

Being a self-taught artist and having had her presence established on social media with her work, she strongly believes that any skill can be acquired by anyone if they are willing to be consistent. She believes that the struggle is in being consistent, disciplined and persistent about your dreams. She remembers how she had failed innumerable times while starting. Despite being scared of failures, she practiced regularly. She admits how some of her failed paintings do not make it to social media and how she tunes her feed to display only her best work.
In an age where technology offers you platforms to display your talents in a world of budding artists, she believes it is important to stand out. She wanted to carve a niche of her own with her pet portraits and the first step she took was to create a portfolio. She picked 12 different dog breeds to paint and shared them on social media so that people could assess the quality of her works themselves. She mentions how reviews from her clients have helped her in gaining more recognition on social media. She holds reviews important as it helps in convincing potential clients and winning their trust. Genuine reviews can be achieved, Gakkhar believes, only through performance. She makes it a point to give her very best to each of her clients by putting in the same kind of effort and precision into each of her portraits. She also mentions how it would take time to build up one’s name in any field, but she is ready to strive for it. She does not hide her immense joy in being featured for the first time in the September 2021 issue of Buddy Life, a major pet magazine in India. She shared how great it felt to be featured in the magazine along with other industry experts while talking about this celebrity moment of hers.
For a person who hasn’t had a pet growing up, it is indeed surprising how Harshita manages to bring to life the pet-parent pond in her canvas. She shares with us how the clients who reach out to her gushes about their pets in a manner one would talk about their child or a family member. She builds on this attachment that is shared by the pet and the parent and attempts to bring this connection alive through her portraits. She tries to portray the pets who have passed away from the photos shared by the clients and how they envision their pets to be remembered forever. She tries to render a heart-warming image, according to the client’s wish, of their pets either sitting in a garden, or with their favourite toy, or surrounded by butterflies. She finds her reward in imprinting the memories of their pets permanently with colours on her portraits. She finds this venture challenging and at the same time mentions how she derives happiness from it. What she learned through this journey is that each portrait and pet is different. Though there are several dogs of the same breed, she realized that each of them has its likes, quirks and traits. In her portraits, Harshita attempts to evoke this uniqueness of each pet.

Her Advice!
To anyone seeking to follow their passion in art, Harshita’s advice is to explore different types of mediums and subjects. She suggests working on something that one could personally connect with and brings happiness. She urges anyone who wants to follow their path of passion to give it 100% and not give up. Another factor she emphasizes is consistency. She believes that the key to growth in any field is consistent practice.
She is all set with some new projects for the coming months. She is planning to launch her first merchandise of the year – the 2022 calendar with live cat and dog illustrations – by November, apart from the pet portraits.
Harshita Gakkhar stands out among many other artists through her consistent efforts and the competency that she has developed all through her art journey. With her talent, her willingness to work hard and her optimism, her dream of having people hang her portraits in their homes all around the world is not distant from her!

Art & Craft
Unveiling the Abstract Realms: Ram Kumar
Journey through the vibrant landscapes of an Indian art maestro Ram Kumar, a luminary in India’s artistic cosmos, who redefined abstraction.

From figurative to abstraction, Ram Kumar, a luminary in India’s artistic cosmos, is a beacon of inspiration, revolutionising the canvas with his abstract strokes. Born in 1924, Ram Kumar’s journey from the corridors of academia to the bustling street of Paris and finally to the serene landscapes of Varanasi captures a profound evolution in both his art style and thematic preoccupations.
Ram Kumar was drawn into the art world due to a chance encounter with an exhibition at the Sarada Ukil School of Art while pursuing his Master’s in Economics at St Stephen’s College in 1945. He enrolled in evening classes at the art school under the guidance of artist Sailoz Mookherjea. Kumar started to hone his skills in still-life portrait painting, gradually transitioning to capture the urban decay and human condition of Delhi and Shimla through his paintings. During his formative years, Kumar’s art reflected a vibrant energy, often depicting scenes of everyday life juxtaposed with deeper existential themes. His works, such as “Why Can’t I Sleep” and “Oppression”, reflected the underlying social and political currents shaping post-independence India.
In 1948, Ram Kumar’s artistic journey took a significant turn when he joined a Hindi daily newspaper as a journalist trainee and crossed paths with artist J. Swaminathan. This encounter solidified his commitment to art, and began a lifelong friendship with fellow artists such as S.H Raza, F.N. Souza and K.H.Ara. The year 1949 witnessed Ram Kumar’s first solo exhibition in Shimla, where his paintings caught the eye of Dr Zakir Hussain, the then Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia University. Inspired by the early success, Kumar embarked on a journey of artistic enlightenment to Paris.
With its rich cultural tapestry, Paris was a crucible for Kumar’s artistic evolution. Under the tutelage of renowned artist Andre Lhote, Kumar delved into the work of lines, curves and colours, imbuing his works with a newfound dynamism inspired by the works of radicals like Louis Aragon and Roger Garaudy, as well as encounters with luminaries like Pablo Neruda, Kumar’s art began to reflect a deeper engagement with human emotions and societal realities. The years spent in Paris were transformative for Kumar, artistically and ideologically. His encounters with the works of Courbet, Rouault, Kathe Kollwits and Edward Hopper instilled in him a deep appreciation and sensitivity to the human experience, which would manifest in his later works.
When he returned to India, Kumar was drawn to the ancient city of Varanasi, where he encountered a land brimming with spiritual fervour and existential angst. The stark contrast between the city’s vibrant rituals and its silent decaying structures became a recurring motif in Kumar’s art.

The 1960s marked a watershed moment in Kumar’s artistic career as he transitioned from figurative to abstract expressionism. His “Grey Period” changed from vivid colours to muted tones reflecting the sad realities of human suffering and mortality. His cityscapes of Varanasi, rendered in Cubist aerial views, symbolised the existential angst that permeated his work. Kumar’s later works continued to explore Varanasi’s spiritual and existential dimensions, albeit with a newfound sense of transcendence. His “Benaras Series”, characterised by ethereal blues and a sense of collective spirituality, captured the city’s timeless allure while evoking a deep sense of human emotion and longing.
In retrospect, Ram Kumar’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of exploration and introspection. From his early realist works depicting the bustling streets of Delhi to, his later abstract compositions inspired by the charisma of Varanasi, Kumar’s art transcends boundaries and speaks to the universal human experience.
In a world marked by constant change and upheaval, Ram Kumar’s timeless artworks serve as poignant reminders of the enduring power of art to reflect, provoke and inspire. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, may we find solace and enlightenment in the enduring legacy of artists like Ram Kumar, whose abstract brushstrokes continue to resonate across time and space.
Art & Craft
Exploring The Symphony Of Water-Colour Artists
Dive into a kaleidoscope of Watercolour artists—where every stroke and shade tells a story of boundless imagination.

In the vast landscape of artistic expression, creativity knows no bounds. From photography to the art world, a myriad of voices and visions intertwine to form a rich tapestry of human experience. This article embarks on a journey through the diverse realms of artistic creation through watercolour artists, celebrating the unique talents and perspectives that shape our world.
Dhirendra Mandge : @mandgedhirendra
Dhirendra Mandge has a portfolio featuring around 36 group exhibitions and 5 solo showcases. His artistic endeavours encompass figurative and abstract forms, with a current focus on exploring Indian heritage architecture. Mandge draws inspiration from the majestic historical forts, their unparalleled architectural marvels intriguing him. To him, heritage serves as a bridge linking the past with the present, embodying a timeless connection.

Rashmi Soni: @artist_rashmisoni
Rashmi Soni’s painting exudes the ethereal beauty of simplistic things, capturing moments of serenity and introspection. With delicate brushstrokes, she infuses her work with a beautiful mixture of colours that evoke a sense of wonder and tranquillity. Her eye for detail and mastery of colour invites viewers into a world of quiet contemplation.

Gulshan Achari: @gulshanachari
Gulshan Achari’s bold and dynamic compositions command attention, drawing viewers into a whirlwind of vibrant colours and swirling forms. His paintings pulsate with energy and movement, reflecting his passionate exploration of shape and architecture. Achari’s work challenges traditional notions of art, pushing boundaries and inviting viewers to engage with simplistic beauty.

Dhruba Mazumder : @dhrubafinearts
Dhruba Mazumder’s evocative portraits capture the complexity of human emotion with remarkable sensitivity and depth. Through subtle nuances of expression and meticulous attention to detail, he breathes life into her subjects, inviting viewers to glimpse the inner workings of natural beauty. Mazumder’s paintings resonate with authenticity and vulnerability, powerful reflections of the human experience.

Harshwaradhan Devtale: @harshwardhan_devtale
Harshwaradhan Devtale’s intricate layers of colour and texture create a sense of depth and dimensionality, inviting viewers to explore the interplay between light and shadow. This watercolour artist blurs the line between painting and reality, resulting in works that are extraordinary to witness.

Abhijit Jadhav: @abhijadhav_artist_official
Abhijit Jadhav’s cityscapes evoke a sense of wonder and awe, transporting viewers to otherworldly realms of imagination. Through watercolours he creates cityscapes that have paused their busy day just for him, capturing the moment through his imagination, memory and creativity.

Chetan C Sadashivan: @chetan.c.s
Chetan C Sadashivan, through meticulous attention to detail in his watercolour paintings and a keen understanding of form, captures the beauty and complexity of everyday life. Chetan’s paintings invite the viewers to pause and reflect on the inherent beauty of the world around them, reminding us to enjoy the beauty in simple moments.

Rahul Vishwakarma: @rahulvishwakarma.12
Rahul Viswakarma’s painting is poetic, this watercolour artist paints vivid portraits of emotion and experience, weaving them into tapestries of beauty and longing. His evocative paintings depict visuals of cities that are ethereal and immersive clubbed with his eye for meticulous detail, giving one solace and inspiration.

Conclusion:
One thing is abundantly clear: art knows no boundaries. Across cultures, genres and mediums creators continue to push the boundaries of expression, inspiring and challenging us to see the world in new ways. Let us celebrate the richness of diversity and the transformative power of creativity through these beautiful watercolour paintings.
Art & Craft
Instagram Portrait Artists: Just Looking Like A Wow!
Presenting Instagram portrait artists who are bound to blow you away with their harmonious blend of reality and creative whimsy.

Art as a creative form is difficult to master. But it’s even more difficult to decipher. Understanding a piece of art can never happen linearly as it is bound to branch out to various interpretations. Though it’s rather tempting to decipher each artist’s work, it’s only right that we give you the choice to go do it yourself at your convenience. Hence, we present to you Instagram portrait artists who are bound to blow you away with their skills.
Debojyoti Boruah
Breathing life into canvases, Debojyoti’s artworks capture life at its true essence. From the shiny gleam on your cheek to the slight wrinkle that forms around your eyes when you smile, each facial contort is meticulously captured by him. An Instagram portrait artist who believes in bringing realism out with his acrylics, you should check out his page if you are a realistic lover.

Sri Priyatham
Sketches that capture reality with a bit of creative flair, Priyatham’s works are a sight to behold. Each stroke and tension carry with them a lot of thought and emotion. Emphasizing and hiding just the right amount, he is one such Instagram portrait artist whose portraits are bound to make you stop and ponder.

Amit Naik
Balancing reality with an artistic sheen, Amit’s paintings remind you of the beauty in this lost world. From sketching to painting, his page is heaven for anyone looking for the lost sparkle in this world. An Instagram portrait artist specialising in portraits and cityscapes, check out his page to see the world through his gleaming creative lens.

Himani Jhawar Shah
Many consider sketching one of the easiest art forms, but the kind of sketching that looks exactly like a painting in greyscale requires much more effort than an average artist will put in. Adding layers and textures to her artwork, Himani’s sketches will bewitch you for a long time. The definition that each of her sketches holds is a testament to the expertise of this Instagram portrait artist.

Parag Borse
An international award-winning Indian artist, Parag’s works carry a tale within themselves. Playing with different colour palettes it’s the background in each piece that tells more about the portrait than the foreground. An Instagram portrait artist whose works with soft pastels are bound to leave you in awe.

Bansuri Mahendru
Taking the art of creating portraits to another level, Bansuri’s works carry with them a vintage whimsical charm. The soft strokes of her brush and serene background are bound to calm any turbulent mind. Bearing a resemblance to Baroque paintings, this Instagram portrait artist is here to soothe your soul with each brush stroke at a time.

Nilisha
Capturing figures in an overlapping manner, Nilisha’s works carry with them several intertwining tales. Each of these tales reveals different aspects of the painting making one stop and stare for hours trying to figure out the creative marvel they just witnessed. The layering technique used by this Instagram portrait artist is a testament to the artist’s expertise as a storyteller.

Anoop anu
A portrait artist whose pencil captures reality better than a DSLR camera. Anoop’s work is gonna stun you into silence. The way he captures each strand of hair with such precision is a feat that many artists dream of achieving. From pop culture to real life, Anoop tries to capture whatever catches his eye. He is an Instagram portrait artist for those looking for hyperrealistic portraits.

Harsha Kaveripura
Capturing portraits with his flair, Harsha’s works capture a sentiment like no other. From capturing beauty to the harsh reality, this Instagram portrait artist expertly uses art as his medium of expression as he doesn’t shy away from expressing his views through his works. A must-visit page for those looking for beauty with wokeness.

Do check out these Instagram artists!
Art & Craft
Palette Knife Technique : A Unique Genre of Art
Palette knife art technique is a phenomenal genre to explore. Here are five artists wielding the palette knife with finesse.

Art is magic, it is mystic and it is unfathomable. It encompasses a whole wide range of styles, techniques and mediums. Amongst the techniques of painting, one is the palette knife art technique. It employs a palette knife i.e. a blunt tool used for mixing or applying paint with a flexible steel blade. This technique is generally used on canvas and is now being used to create decorative handmade artworks. Here we present five phenomenal artists who are using their palette knives with precision and craftsmanship.
Ritu Kumar
Ritu Kumar is a modern artist or an abstract artist. Her strokes of colour have carved some of the most spectacular paintings in the art world. Her page is truly a visual pleasure of vibrance and texture. She uses palette knives with such precision that landscapes, abstracts and florals, all come to life. Her works are a pure reflection of precision and spontaneity. Not only palette knife art, Ritu has a niche in resin art as well as gold leaf art. By adding abstraction to ethnic art, she has been pleasing clients all over the world.

Ganesh Panda
Ganesh Panda, a Mumbai-based professional artist bestows the viewers with a joyous carnival of bold brush strokes and zestful compositions. His works majorly consist of sceneries, landscapes, riversides and everything in the world that is enough to narrate stories of humans. Light and shadow – the two aspects and their interplay creating a mesmerising effect form a major theme of his works. Blue, yellow and green along with a myriad of shades of these colours, Ganesh brings stories to life. He chooses diverse subjects and boldly experiments with the palette knife technique. To find out more about him, check out his website.

Neeraj Shirvaikar
Neeraj Shirvaikar who calls himself Bard of Bombay is a storyteller and miniature maker who blends narratives into the palette knife art world. His human portraits and natural landscapes speak volumes. His strokes tell stories and the vibrance in them carries a sense of movement and emotion. None of his pieces are silent, all of them tell tales; of cities, of people, of skies. The cityscapes tell certain compelling narratives and give the viewers something to explore the depth of imagination.

Salona Singh
Salona Singh is an art professional from the cultural capital of India – Kolkata. His oil paintings are realistic and surreal at the same time. His palette knife art is a combination of grace and intensity. He uses the palette knife to craft minute details in his works. His pieces are intense and refined with a harmony between bold pigments and delicate shades of vibrant hues. Indeed his artworks showcase his magic; a mastery of the palette knife technique. Know more about him here.

These artists are exemplifying the versatile and dynamic nature of the poignant palette knife art. The rare art form being one of the most difficult ones is being paid due reverence by the artists. Their choice of styles, subjects, themes, strokes and colours bring forth a mesmerising tapestry of the art form.
Art & Craft
Clay Artists For That Perfect Insta Glam or Kawaii Charm
In recent years clay art has gone beyond pots and mugs and has entered the world of fashion, check out our picks of some talented clay artists on Instagram!

Going beyond the realm of just being a decoration, clay art has reached the heights of practicality with the creation of clay incense stick holders, earrings, etc. And if you are new to this form of art we understand how overwhelming it must be as the amount of products that it can create is truly limitless. Hence, we bring to you our picks of the clay artists you must check out on Instagram!
Cry (@clayberry.in)
Looking for some cute charms to add an extra layer of Kawaii to your everyday things such as pencil pouches to mobile phones? Then this Instagram page is just for you. From Sanrio to Ghibli characters to cute bunnies and ice cream they cover it all. The best part, they do take custom orders!


Made of Clay (@madeofclay.in)
Looking for some sustainable yet chic earrings that capture each season and theme perfectly? Then this Instagram page is just for you. Dedicated solely to clay earrings, the craftsmanship of each piece of work is bound to leave you awestruck. The design and quality of work are clearly worth the hype. The amount of detail the clay artist has given to each piece is truly out of the world. Splurging on their work is totally an investment as their pieces are timeless!



Polymer Clay by Leah (@pupletcharms.in)
If you think you have seen all things Kawaii wait till you explore this Instagram page. They take their Kawaii(ness) very seriously! The colourful work coupled with a glossy finish is bound to make you scream UwU. The precise execution of these cute charms highlights the fine craftsmanship the clay artist holds and has probably honed with practice. You are bound to splurge more than you planned!


Craft Castle Store (@the.craftcastle.store)
Looking for some cute funky Y2K style clay charms and accessories, then this is your page! From detailed gothic charms to pixelated character charms, there is no limit to this clay artist’s ability to bring our imagination to life. From anime to dogs to keychains they can make it all with an extra dose of Kawaii!


Clay Confetti India (@clayconfetti.in)
Looking for trendy jewellery that is a good blend of Y2K and minimalism? Then this Instagram page is for you! The ability of this clay artist to tone down the loudness of Y2K fashion just a bit to let the minimalism shine makes their pieces a perfect choice for any formal or informal occasion. From glossy finish to matte finish they have it all!


HandyBloom (@handybloomhb)
Looking for some clay work to gift someone? Or is it something crochet that you think will be more appropriate? Or perhaps it’s candles that will make the perfect gift! Whatever it is they have you covered. Specialising in customised handmade products for gifting, they are sure to come up with something great personal for your loved ones. And their clay work truly takes the cake. From incense stick holders to clay mugs they can do it all!


Do check out these pages for all your clay art needs!
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