“My love for art grew when I was in 3rd standard. I vividly remember I used to draw different pictures back then by looking into the art section of weekly magazines. One day, my mom noticed my artwork and hence joined me in a fine art school called Chitralekhanam School of Fine Arts in Srinagar Colony.

I started going for summer classes and used to stay there for long hours doing all kinds of art and craft. My journey into the professional arts just began like that. For anyone to become a professional artist, one has to have a lot of practice. One just can’t stop it midway and must improvise themselves with all the new techniques that are there. So by the time I came to 8th class, my art instructor suggested if I could try oil paintings as I have a good command over brushes. Oil painting is usually the highest class of painting as it takes a lot of time. So I started learning it. It took me one and half years to master the craft and by the age of 14, I have displayed my artworks in an art exhibition in Beyond Coffee. This was back in 2012 and I was able to sell all of my paintings there for a decent price. (laughs)

Later I started doing commissioned paintings as well during my under graduation. My friends and family were extremely supportive and proud of my work. My mom & dad always said, no matter what I do in my career, I should never leave art. Not everyone gets the skill. That’s how I continued my artwork. However, there are a lot of people that I have come across as well who didn’t understand the kind of hard work it takes for painting. They always thought painting is just a hobby. Despite criticism, I remained focused on my craft.

Later, I went to the United Kingdom for my Masters to study Accounting and Finance. I moved back to India in January last after my course study and started my own art studio named Artoccino in October last year. I always wanted to do something that puts my interest in art and business together and that’s how I ventured into my business where people could explore the world of art while sipping coffee. I provide art sessions where people from all age groups (kids to adults) could choose their favourite art activity and relish the specially brewed coffee of their choice and also take back their artwork home once done. Artoccino offers a wide range of art materials such as acrylic paintings, wooden block paintings, ceramic paintings and watercolour paintings to be explored. Not only that, but I have also conducted several art sessions for children at orphanages, and people at senior citizen homes.

My motto at Artoccino is to spread art among everyone. Art is the self-expression and a connection of ideas and I believe everyone is an artist. All it takes is to find the right step and express it!”