A quick glance at Upasna Modi Poddar’s social media account offers a feast to your eyes and fills your heart. This self-taught illustrator not just makes adorable illustrations but also conveys a short message that drives straight to our hearts.
Born in Punjab, Poddar was raised in Delhi. Being a certified Jewelry Designer and Gemologist, she had her own label in Delhi. But the passion she had for art made her quit the job after 3 years. And there begins the successful doodle journey of Poddar.
Early Days of Doodling
Upasna Poddar recalls how she used to doodle at the back of her notebooks during her childhood. She made comics for her loved ones, which made her realize that her passion lies in cartooning. Moving to Bombay presented her with an opportunity to pursue this passion. And she never had to look back. The most courageous things she believes she did was getting married, quitting jewellery designing and starting The Messy Art House! Recalling her beginnings, she fondly remembers the joy of sketching pets and their owners. She also shares the early struggles she had in pricing her work.
Upasna Poddar’s Stepping Stones
Upasna Poddar remembers how she had to give up her passion for cartooning since it was not a “great career choice” back then. Though she tried to pursue Jewelry Designing when she moved to Bombay, the lack of good opportunities in it gave her the way back to art. And this way back to art happened through oopsidoodledagain. She mentions how art helps her recognize her own feelings and understand her mind. Her zeal for this career comes from art and the joy of its creation. Though Mario Miranda is her favorite artist, she admits that her husband and her daughter are her biggest inspiration. She finds her biggest source of motivation in yoga and beer. Apart from art, her interests range from food to travel to coasters to music festivals to all things creative!
Painting the Mundane
Upasna Poddar’s art pieces have a hearty message that she wishes to convey to her audience. Her illustrations make the little things in life seem so full of colour and that is precisely what she intends to do. Through her adorable illustrations, she gives life to the lifeless and nudges us to be grateful for even the tiniest little thing we are blessed with. Her artworks also speak to the womenfolk as she feels that women need to be stronger in today’s space and not succumb to anything.
Upasna Poddar’s Secret to Success
Poddar believes that talent is innate and it is innate in each and every one. She believes that one can only dig up this innate talent and flourish it through hard work and persistence. To all the young dreamers, her only words are to believe in the dream and to go for it. Life is too short to give up on dreams is what she wishes to convey to all the dreamers.
From being a Jewelry Designer to oopsidoodledagain to The Messy Art House, Upasna Poddar has come a long way. Her success story as a self-taught illustrator would make any young artist, who wishes to pursue their passion for art, take the plunge. Her love and passion for creativity and art are what made her story a success. Now as she takes her love for art to the next level by introducing it to the tiny tots we can hope that a younger generation grows up loving all things art. The road she took has reached The Messy Art House now, but we are sure it hasn’t ended yet!
