DPW Spotlight Interview: Bhavna Sehgal

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Bhavna's painting, "Butterfly" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Bhavna's DPW gallery page:

I was born and brought up in India. I did my Masters in computer Science. I took some initial art training in India during my graduation. Once I finished my college and got into a job, I stopped painting. I always had an interest in learning art, so I kept searching for local art classes but because of my job I could not do much. I came to the US in 2010 and I took a break of six months from my Job. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Art is ongoing learning process for me. I started painting in college and instantly fell in love with it. During college I used to take evening art classes. For the last three years, I've been taking online classes which helped me to find confidence in myself. I like to paint whatever inspires me, from nature to still life to landscapes.

Butterfly
(click to see original image)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Bhavna's interview.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I have had my share of stops and starts in my career as an artist. Once I started working as a software engineer, I almost didn't touch a paint brush for more than six years. Finally, I started taking some online art classes on the weekends and this put me back on track. Now I am committed to finishing a few paintings every week.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I think oil is my favorite medium. I also like to paint in watercolors and recently I started working in acrylic too.

Tomatoes in a Copper Colander
(click to see original image)

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

I am in love with oils and watercolor; I think I'll continue to paint with them.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I just want to do what I'm doing for now. I have so much to learn, and I want to improve myself more. In the future I would like to explore acrylic as well.

Sunny Side Up
(click to see original image)

Who or what inspires you most?

I get my inspiration from paintings and drawings that others have done as well as nature and various things around me. I am also inspired by the old masters' paintings. I like spending a day in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City or any other art museum.

What does procrastination look like for you?

My computer/phone is my biggest procrastination. It is a great aid in viewing other artist's work and can be a source of inspiration. But sometimes I lose track of the time I spend going through other artists' work.

Seashells
(click to see original image)

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

Well, I want to paint every day but sometimes it's not possible. I started following the rule of make x number of painting every week and I try to stick to that count. I also work on different sizes to make sure I get some of them finished quickly.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I browse through copyright free photographs from various websitse like morguefile, paintmyphoto, pixabay and also go through my library of photographs I have taken while visiting various places. I keep looking through them until I found some photograph which catches my eye to paint.

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I am always looking for something different, something new to paint. Always try to challenge myself. I keep switching medium from oils to watercolor to acrylic.

Zebra
(click to see original image)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

Learning never stops for an artist. I do lots of research before starting any painting. I spend a lot of time looking at art, analyzing it, learn from it.  Other than that, the biggest hurdle I have to learn is how to market myself better and how to believe in myself.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happy when I pick up a brush and when I start making progress on my project. I feel I am on the top of the world when I finish my work. Painting makes me feel so alive and I am fortunate to be able to paint.

Thanks, Bhavna!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine