A bstract painting is often the most misunderstood form of art. Derided as child’s play, abstract art is more liberating than figurative painting, and a more authentic and effective expression of creativity, largely because it is unbound by traditional rules That’s perhaps why Shamsia, a small-town girl from Chikkamagaluru, is, with her impressive abstract art, winning hearts across the globe today. A Luxury Management graduate from Jain (Deemed-to-be University), her dedication, fervor, passion and zeal have gained her the global recognition she deserves with her name etched in the World Book of Records, London. Currently employed as an Associate Business Analyst in an MNC, Shamsia’s art reflects her minimalistic approach towards life. Shamsia spoke at length about her universe, enriched by creativity and art, during a chat with Shwetha H C.

In the evenings after school, I used to take hobby art courses to refine my skills and discover new ones. Despite being dressed in my school uniform, I would still be able to express myself freely, and among other things, one of my favourite pastimes was to play with colours and make a mess of my uniform. Those were my very first encounters with art and colour, and they were transformative. The colours made my otherwise plain uniform vivid and fascinating, which I found rather appealing at the time. As a kid, my favourite toys were paint and paper, some of which I have preserved to this day. Initially, I painted and learnt the technique of blending colours in the right proportions to get the desired shade and depth, which I then put into practice. However, as I grew older, I felt that the portrayal of ‘reality’ was becoming increasingly restrictive, and I desired to give expression to my feelings through art. The decision to explore abstract painting opened the door to a whole new world of imagery and possibilities. After some time, it became very inviting.

Inspiration is abundant, and this is a remark that is commonly heard. When we artists, on the other hand, sit down to create a piece of art, it might be tough to be or become inspired. Aside from examining the work of other artists, nature, recollections, everyday life or even words and phrases can serve as sources of inspiration for the creation of a tale or the inception of a new project.

Art is fundamentally subjective, and it invites us to seek beyond the apparent, in order to appreciate it copiously. As a unique manifestation of ideas, it is profoundly personal and needs the maximum degree of expressiveness and self-initiative on the part of those who participate. It is profoundly established in my life, and is impossible to break free from. My art is impacted by my real experiences; yet, the inverse is also true - it impacts my views of the world and my immediate environment. The liberty to express myself creativity, and more so through the abstract medium, is at the heart of what I’ve done. Being an artist, in my opinion, includes attaining that elusive and significantly sought-after sensation of personal independence.

It is important to me to approach each blank canvas with an open mind, especially while working on non-commissioned work, and to keep my opinions to myself. It takes a while for me to just go with the flow and find my own artistic expression. A deeper comprehension of what I have created usually occurs halfway through or after finishing a piece of work. Artistry is highly individualistic, and it all boils down to the moment of creation and the simultaneous experience.

My personal preference is for the simplest of things, and as a result, my outlook reflects my personality. I prefer to keep things as simple and as minimal as possible. Art has facilitated my appreciation for the small things in life that we often take for granted. Art has this effect on everybody who is a part of the creative process.

Yes, as the world moves towards NFT (non-fungible token), practicing traditional art alongside digital art is becoming increasingly vital. People who devote their lives to fine art are a small and exclusive club, which can become a luxury in and of itself over time. Digital art, on the other hand, is experiencing a renaissance. Those interested may explore this medium.

The answer lies inside one’s own capacity for selfmotivation. I don’t turn to the outside world for motivation, and I believe that no one should. The majority of my artistic training has been self-directed. As a result, I spend the majority of my time practicing art using the trial-and-error technique. I am constantly learning and acquiring new techniques. There are a variety of elements that influence motivation. The most crucial are fresh ideas to study and new concepts to experiment with.

My artwork, created using undulations, was selected for inclusion in the World Book of Records, London. A total surface area of 14,400 inches is covered by this work of art, making it the largest piece of art ever constructed using the mortier de structure technique. The artwork was constructed by gluing together 25 distinct paintings on 25 pieces of marble to create a paste-like finish, which was then stitched together. The steady rising and falling of the surface of water is accompanied by a slow transition from dark to light, imitating the moon’s reflection on the surface of a dark sea. The vibrations of white light in the darkness, particularly at night, offers the piece an air of magical mystery.

My artwork, created using undulations, was selected for inclusion in the World Book of Records, London. A total surface area of 14,400 inches is covered by this work of art, making it the largest piece of art ever constructed using the mortier de structure technique. The artwork was constructed by gluing together 25 distinct paintings on 25 pieces of marble to create a paste-like finish, which was then stitched together. The steady rising and falling of the surface of water is accompanied by a slow transition from dark to light, imitating the moon’s reflection on the surface of a dark sea. The vibrations of white light in the darkness, particularly at night, offers the piece an air of magical mystery.

I would define my creative approach as a series of continual abstract variations that represent a convergence of several streams in modern art culture, as seen through the eyes of an art professional. Paintings and sculptures that are not based on real objects, such as nonobjective art, nonrepresentational art, or painting in which the portrayal of objects from the visible world plays a minor or no part, are my specialty. I primarily use acrylic mixing procedures. Form, colour, line and texture are just a few of the elements found in nature that can be labelled as abstract.

In my professional capacity as an artist, I periodically have concern over running out of fresh ideas. This anxiety and concern of encountering a creative block happens rather often. Fear of failure is another concern. While it is acceptable and normal to be fearful, as previously said, it is not acceptable or normal to let fear take control and do harm. It does, on occasion, inhibit the creative process, although it is not always the case.

We become enslaved by our beliefs, and the wonders of the world are buried in the depths of our collective imagination. Artistry reintroduces us to the beauty of the world and encourages us to be grateful for our lives on this planet. A good piece of art may give a brief respite from reality, which can be therapeutic; and it allows us to take a break from our daily routine and worries. It gives us a new lease of life while we are going through a difficult situation. Though art might be a means of temporary escape, it is a necessary one for many people in today’s world. I’ve never had the urge to abandon my artistic pursuits, though, and this hasn’t changed so far. Having said that, if given the option, I would want to be in the zone at all times.

is a medium of communication; it enables people from different cultures and eras to connect through images, emotions and stories. In a constantly changing world, art has the potential to communicate our points of view by transcending the boundaries of space and time. Art has the power to recast the nature of existence from a new perspective, and as a result, it has the potential to transform the thoughts and ideals of the audience regarding reality. While art does not dictate what people should do, it does have the capacity to cause the world to ‘experience’ a variety of different experiences. Furthermore, this feeling may stimulate thoughts.

  • Art that you mostly identify with. Abstract art. I practice contemporary abstract & Dutch-pour form (a pouring method of acrylic paint using air to manipulate the colours on a canvas).
  • Have you dabbled around with other art forms? Tried my hand at realism, but seems like I will stick to the form I am good at.
  • What do you dislike about the art world? It’s a niche field; only a very few people practice it and even fewer appreciate it.
  • Favourite time of the day to create art. Midnight. When the world around me is quiet, it helps me put all my thoughts on the canvas.
  • How does art help you in other areas of life? It helps me stay balanced and grounded.
  • A specific environment or material that’s integral to your work? I work exclusively with acrylic medium and pouring liquid.
  • Current abstract artists you follow French artist John Beckley under whom I have learnt. Apart from that the very famous Dutch Pour artist Rinske Dounka. Others are Cusomano & George Hall.