Women in Art 278 Magazine January 2016 | Page 44

american artist Sonali Kukreja Oils and Acrylics S onali Kukreja is an Indian born contemporary full time artist living in Austin, Texas. It’s a beautiful thing for her when passion and career blend together. “I was always drawn to art in all forms since I was little but a trip to India and then joining an art academy got me seriously into it. It was like a flash of lightening that I realized and discovered myself that I am here in this world to make art. It had an extreme healing and peaceful effect on me from my everyday struggle due to my chronic medical conditions. It gave me a purpose in life. I believed either you complain what you don’t have or rejoice in the things you have and make the best of it. Therefore, I chose to make the rest of my life, the best of my life. That was a turning point in my life.” Her aim is to help clients realize their creative side with her artwork and the thoughts portrayed in them, challenging their thoughts and perceptions and ultimately make a positive effect in their daily life. She refers to her art as “Serene Compositions” and believes that art should move you and not just fill up your wall space. Her body of work is diverse – from representational to abstract, as she feels that creativity is unlimited and inspirations are everywhere. Her background in Psychology makes her want to study people’s personalities, behavior, attitude and lifestyle which inspires her to paint human forms as she feels it evokes many feelings and emotions but at the same time she doesn’t want to restrict herself to one style and genre. She creates whatever inspires her and as an artist, she doesn’t believe in holding back her creativity and expressing herself through art. The award winning artist has exhibited her art in juried and invitational shows nationally as well as internationally. She has sold her paintings to private collectors in US, India and Canada. She has also auctioned her paintings at local fundraisers. A portion of her sales are going to an Old age home in Patiala, India. wom en ART page 44