Anisha Verma Interview | Respect the Artist
This interview was curated by Start Shows
How did you get your Artist name?
I go with my real name
How did you get into creating?
I have been painting since I was 1 or 2 years old. You can also say I inherited my skills from my Mom, who is one of the best artists I can ever meet.
How has creating changed your life?
Well, this is the only thing that I don't doubt about myself. It brings me peace, happiness. Its like meditation for me. I feel content when I am painting. I literally forget about everything around me, or happening to me when I am painting.
Where are you from?
I am from a small town in India; Rishikesh.
It is also the World Capital of Yoga. It is that place where Yoga was originated.
The town might be small, but thousands of saints have meditated there over the years, this place holds a lot of positive vibe and energy.
How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?
Being from a small community, it helped me experience the transformation from the no computer era to today's fast running world. Forming close relationships with strangers, helping neighbors, being satisfied with what we have, celebrating even the smallest victories, finding joy in everything around me are few of the things that I have learnt since my childhood.
What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?
I am a self-taught artist, meaning I did not have any formal education in arts. But I have always shown a keen interest in anything related to arts. My family and friends have always supported me with my creations and encouraged me to participate in different competitions and events. I have done a few shows in college, and my previous workplace and also won competitions inter-state and national.
I also took help from a few artists who I knew, to learn techniques with different media. These workshops helped me learn more about colors, and new skills.
After my first show in New York, I am also learning how to market my work, and promote it. Every day these experiences help me move ahead step by step.
What does your current setup look like?
I currently don't have a studio, so I have a small setup at home where I paint.
Who inspires you? Why do they inspire you?
Everyday thing around me inspire me; or something that has a very deep impact on me. It could be a bird, a flower, a crumbled leaf, a smiling face. Or it could be really sensitive topics, like depression, scams, environmental status, forceful acts on women, or anything that I cannot stop thinking. And when such things imprint and impact me, the only way I can truly express my feelings is to create art.
What is your goal when you create?
Sometimes I paint, because I feel happy, the other times I just want to paint something. Irrespectively, I spend hours putting my experiences, my thoughts on the canvas. So my goal is to feel satisfied with the process and to express my feelings well and share it with the world(while is small for me yet :) )
Why do you create?
It makes me happy. And someone said to me, when you have a gift share it with others. It can bring happiness to others as well.
What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?
I shuffle between "As it was" by Harry Styles and "Left and Right" by Charlie Puth and Jungkook(BTS).
"You know its not the same as it was" these words totally describe my life that its not really as fun as it was 10 years back, and moment I hear these words I know I need to push myself and keep moving.
The other Song "Memories follow me Left and Right" also connects me to the past but I mostly hear this song because Its so catchy, and also I am BTS Biased. :D
What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?
As of now my dream is to be able to do solo shows all around the world especially New York, London, and Paris. I have decided to take 1 step at a time and hence the group shows. It might take longer, but I really hope I be able to achieve this.
What is the best advice you would give someone with a dream?
Never give up on dreams, no matter what it is. Because Miracles happen. And at the end you realize its all worth chasing your dreams
Tell us about your most recent release
My Recent group show was at One Art Space, hosted by AllStar Artists, where I had showcased my series "The New York Skies and Californian Seasons".
This series is part of my journey when I shifted to the United States and learnt about the new places. "You're so Golden" and " Night Sky" are inspired by the views from my apartment windows, these views leave my every single day with an awe.
"The First 2", "Summer of 69" and "The Fall" were painted after I learnt that California(I am so fascinated by that place) doesn't experience snowfall in most of its areas.
Check it out https://www.instagram.com/p/CgquP1aOEJ2/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/anisha_verma
Facebook.com: http://www.facebook.com/anisha.verma.927
Photography credit: Steven (IG: quiubo_photos)
Ryan (ryan.renee.art)
Myself
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