STAR: What is your average day like?
ALKA.C: I’m an Assistant Professor in Meerut but on leave
right now. I’m working from home, writing e-papers and
doing content writing of demonstrations by renowned artists
for an MHRD project of Dayal bagh University, Agra. My
day passes managing research work with sketching, doodling
a few ideas for painting and sometimes reading and writing
poetry too. In short, it’s a contented creative day.
STAR: Any other forms of creativity which inspire
you?
ALKA.C: I like to write poetry and read books. Listening
to music and aesthetically and frequently making changes in
interiors of my home is in the list of my passions too.
STAR: What is your favorite experience as an art-
ist?
ALKA.C: While I was pursuing my Ph.D., I had exhibited
my work in Banaras. It was highly appreciated by Randy
Williams, Head of painting dept., Manhattan Ville College,
New York and his wife Julie Broglin. He being an artist
himself didn’t hesitate in buying my painting. That gesture
touched my heart and encouraged the artist in me.
Another amazing experience was an artist camp in Nainital.
It was organized by Aurobindo Society. I didn’t have any
experience with the meditation and the routine followed by
them. But it was a blessing for me. The rare experiences like
this enlighten one and force one to look inwards. Everything
looks pious and I could feel an aura where minor things were
not troubling me and I could handle them in a balanced way.
The spiritual aspect got awakened in me.
STAR: Any other advice for artists trying to get
established?
ALKA.C: My only advice is not to make art a fad. Usually,
upcoming artists look for a short cut and lose their identity
by following the styles of established artists. Their motive
should be to be original, by absorbing the ideas from the art-
ists who inspire them and bring out those inspirations in their
own style and not vomit them out exactly the same.
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