Rajul Shah
What media of art do you work in?
Painting. I work across various media, including acrylic, oil, gouache, pastels. I also work with a variety of materials including, wash paper, tree bark paper, canvas, paper, wood and metal leaf.
How would you describe your genre of painting?
Abstract Colorfields.
Can you describe your creative process? When you begin a painting, do you have an idea of what the end result is? Do you prepare sketches first? Do you know the colors you are going to use?
I consider myself a “spontaneous painter”, While I have an overall idea of the primary color I want to work with, I allow each layer to tell me what to do next. Usually, the first two layers of most of my paintings are done by hand. I like to feel the substrate I am working on. I am very tactile in that sense.
What is the message you want people to take away from your artwork?
My art is about "Resilience and Renewal”. I fuse the Japanese Art of Kintsugi with the spiritual work of the chakras through the use of energy fields of color that are associated with each chakra. The philosophy behind the art of Kintsugi is one of embracing imperfections and view your scars as healing elements, allowing you to evolve into a stronger version of yourself. Each specific chakra represents and energy center in a different part of the body, responsible for the energy that flows through the organs in its region of the body. This is how we connect emotional well-being with physical well-being, allowing us to reach a sense of peace and enlightenment through our life’s journey.
100 years from now, how do you want people to remember you as an artist?
The artist who reminded the world that mistakes, imperfections, scars are ok. We are not defined by our imperfections, we are defined by how we learn and who we become as a result of learning how to overcome.
What is your favorite praise you have received from a client or about your work?
”I meditate on your work as it inspires me to think positively about my situation.”
What are your hobbies outside of Art?
Photography, swimming, yoga
What is an interesting piece of trivia about you that people don’t know?
I spent 20 years in healthcare marketing before I became an artist. Growing up I was always creative with drawing, photography, singing and music as my hobbies.
Give me one or two sentences about your family?
My family’s heritage is Indian. I and my husband were both born in India, raised in the US, lived in Japan and now live in Singapore. We have 3 children who are the lights of my life.
What has been your strongest influence in your art career thus far?
Living in Japan and coming to learn about the philosophy of Kintsugi, applying it to my life journey and learning how the chakras (energy centers in our bodies) help connect emotional and physical well-being. These elements have inspired the message behind my artwork.
What is your vision for yourself as an artist 5 years from now?
My vision is to continue to spread my message of healing, resilience and renewal. I hope I can showcase my works in a museum where viewers can partake on an interactive journey as they reflect upon my work, each chakra and think through their own life journeys; and leave feeling refreshed and inspired.
Artist at work in her studio
Which one is your favorite artwork you have ever done and tell us why?
“Peace” is my favorite. When I stand back and look at the texture from underneath and how it comes through to the top layers of white, bronze and gold; I get a sense that I am floating peacefully through my life journey
Which is one of your most recent works and tell me how you would describe the artwork to a potential buyer.
“Revival” represents the body’s second chakra which represents the energy center involving creativity, sexuality, reproduction and pleasure. Keeping this chakra in balance and resilient allows the energy flow to our 3rd chakra which harbors our self-esteem.