Animated Logo Star Of The Week

Feeling like you need a dose of inspiration?
Here is an inspiring story from our Star Of The Week Artist!

Neela Pushparaj

Star Of The Week

Star Of The Week | ArtTour International NY.

Painting is an integral part of my life. It is an expression of my joy in everything I see – Neela Pushparaj

WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS AN ARTIST?

There certainly was! A chance meeting with a palm reader in the east village resulted in his amazed instantaneous statement that I had a tremendous aesthetic ability that I had never explored. When my husband heard the story, he did not immediately have any comments. But on my next birthday, some six months later, there was a gift certificate for watercolor lessons at the local adult education program from him.

Neela Pushparaj – Star Of The Week.

“Blue Poppy” Watercolor On Paper by Neela Pushparaj.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?

I am a watercolor artist known mostly for my semi-abstract floral paintings.

WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?

My work aims to be pleasing to the eye and uplifting to the spirit. I have had my work in hospitals and many galleries, and what impresses me is the look of happiness and joy on the faces of the viewers.

I recently had a show with peace as the theme, and I felt that I was able to convey that message very effectively.

“Roses Do Ramble” Watercolor On Paper by Neela Pushparaj.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK FITS WITHIN SOCIETY IN OUR PRESENT TIME?

My work has a timeless quality to it. People who have purchased my work at Rotary and hospital fundraisers meet me ten years later, tell me they still enjoy looking at them and encourage me to continue painting.

My Peace show was very timely, and my current exhibition, “My Cup Runneth Over,” is about gratitude and joy. (my solo shows and spotlight shows can be accessed from the website of Montserrat Contemporary Art Gallery)

WHEN LOOKING BACK, WHAT ARTWORKS COME TO MIND THAT MOST RELATE TO YOUR LIFE STORY?

“Opus 84” is a homage to my husband, who had transitioned. The peace-themed work is close to my heart, as is my current show’s theme.

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

I am a self-taught artist who learned my skill from three important teachers whose workshops and classes I was privileged to attend.

My first teacher was Sarita Anne Cook, who saw something in my work and encouraged me to continue. Next, the Napa Valley artist Barbara Neches taught me all my technical skills. Finally, my art teacher at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Nancy Korde, taught me how to paint landscapes.

My favorites among well-known artists include Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Klimt, and many Renaissance artists. Also Monet, Matisse and Van Gogh.

“Floral Quilt” Watercolor On 140 lbs Arches Paper.15x22in by Neela Pushparaj.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

I usually paint without any reference or sketching. The images and composition evolve on the surface as I create my art. I tend to wet the surface unevenly, drop my chosen colors randomly, and allow them to mix on the surface.

As it dries, I visualize shapes that I enhance or mute with fairly intense but varied darks which delineate the floral theme. I also fill my surface with small intricate structures to form a background.

I also paint some abstracts and landscapes. All my work is on paper or canvas, or aqua board.

WHAT VISUAL REFERENCES DO YOU DRAW UPON IN YOUR WORK?

I occasionally use photos, and often I “borrow” a tiny structure for an illustration or calendar picture.

ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS?

My next solo show will be at the Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey, from May 1st to July 31st. The current show at Montserrat will be over by April 29th.

I have some requests to participate in European shows, including Paris, Zurich, Barcelona, and Vienna.

 

 

Spread the Love!

GET PUBLISHED AND BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARTIST!

Want to advance your artistic career and become an international published artist? Check out our open opportunities to get published, gain recognition and and become part of our family of top artists worldwide!

Written by Viviana Puello

Viviana is a Colombo-American Artist, Curator, Writer and Advocate for the arts. Founder of Vivid Arts Network, Create 4 Peace, Artists For A Green Planet, Author of the book “Just Be Inspired,” and an awardwinning director and producer. Viviana Puello founded ArtTour International Magazine in 2011. Since then, she has served as the CEO, Editor-in-Chief, and the face for ArtTour International Magazine.

You May Also Like…

Carole K. Boyd

“Art can convey many different emotions- I want my paintings to evoke inspiration and please the senses. I hope they...

read more

Anne-Marie Mulligan

"Art is my passion; that is how I share my love with the world!" - Anne-Marie Mulligan. WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT...

read more

Christophe Szpajdel

“Christophe Szpajdel is a worldwide renowned artist specializing in handmade typography, calligraphy, and logo design...

read more

Our Most Recent Issues…

2023 Spring Issue

2023 Spring Issue

2023 Winter Issue

2023 Winter Issue

2022 Fall Issue

2022 Fall Issue

2022 Summer Issue

2022 Summer Issue

2022 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2022 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2022 Spring Issue

2022 Spring Issue

2022 Winter Issue

2022 Winter Issue

2021 Fall Issue

2021 Fall Issue

2021 Summer Issue

2021 Summer Issue

2021 Spring Issue

2021 Spring Issue

2021 Winter Issue

2021 Winter Issue

2020 Fall Issue

2020 Fall Issue

2020 Summer Issue

2020 Summer Issue

2020 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2020 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2020 Spring Issue

2020 Spring Issue

2020 Winter Issue

2020 Winter Issue

Living Masters

Living Masters

2019 Fall Issue

2019 Fall Issue

2019 Summer Issue

2019 Summer Issue

2019 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2019 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2019 Spring Issue

2019 Spring Issue

2019 Winter Issue

2019 Winter Issue

2018 Fall Issue

2018 Fall Issue

2018 Summer Issue

2018 Summer Issue

2018 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2018 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2018 Spring Issue

2018 Spring Issue

2018 Winter Issue

2018 Winter Issue

2017 Fall Issue

2017 Fall Issue

2017 Summer Issue

2017 Summer Issue

2017 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2017 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2017 Spring Issue

2017 Spring Issue

ATIM’s Top 20 Fine Art Photographers

ATIM’s Top 20 Fine Art Photographers

2017 Winter Anniversary Issue

2017 Winter Anniversary Issue

2016 Fall Issue

2016 Fall Issue

Just Be Inspired by Viviana Puello

Just Be Inspired by Viviana Puello

2016 Summer Issue

2016 Summer Issue

2016 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2016 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2016 Spring Issue

2016 Spring Issue

2016 Winter Issue

2016 Winter Issue

2015 Edición Especial En Español

2015 Edición Especial En Español

2015 Fall Issue

2015 Fall Issue

2015 Summer Issue

2015 Summer Issue

2015 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2015 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2015 Spring Issue

2015 Spring Issue

2015 Winter Issue

2015 Winter Issue

2014 Fall Issue

2014 Fall Issue

2014 Edición Especial En Español

2014 Edición Especial En Español

2014 Summer Issue

2014 Summer Issue

2014 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2014 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2014 Spring Issue

2014 Spring Issue

2014 Winter Issue

2014 Winter Issue

2013 Fall Issue

2013 Fall Issue

2013 Edición Especial En Español

2013 Edición Especial En Español

2013 Summer Issue

2013 Summer Issue

2013 Special Issue

2013 Special Issue

2013 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2013 ATIM TOP 60 MASTERS

2013 Spring Issue

2013 Spring Issue

2013 Winter Issue

2013 Winter Issue

2012 Fall Issue

2012 Fall Issue

2012 Summer Issue

2012 Summer Issue

2012 Spring Issue

2012 Spring Issue

2012 Winter Issue

2012 Winter Issue

2011 Winter Issue

2011 Winter Issue

ArtTour International