We were lucky to catch up with Tesh Parekh recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tesh, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Growing up, I was good at drawing and watercolor painting. So I used to paint for fun in my free time. As an adult, I came back to painting later in life. I was curious about oil painting, so learned that on my own. Painting in oils is a complex process even if you paint in direct style. It has taken me long time to work out my current Oil painting process which is solvent-free. Watercolors offer lot more freedom to explore and learn. When painting in realism, every single thing is important and essential: drawing, color, values, composition and so on. I tend to explore certain things more because of my personal preference. E.g. I draw and paint in watercolors more often as both are very portable mediums. I can sketch while waiting in my car. Learning to me, has to be a constant process. Integral to everything that I do. However, there are obstacles: both success and failure in marketplace can hinder learning. So can ups and downs in personal life. Rising costs of art materials can dampen enthusiasm to try new things. Today, I have constant curiosity about subjects, seasons, light, materials and so on. I keep something to explore for next day. I often talk to people when painting live at weddings or painting plein air landscapes. Many were artists once and have given up their art to pursue other careers or to fulfill social roles. The easiest thing one can do, at any stage of life, is get a sketchbook and pencil and just draw. Drawing is such a fantastic thing. During this past winter, I drew every tree I could see from my car while waiting to pick up my son from school.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a self-taught artist based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina has been my home since 1996. I learned to draw and paint when I was a kid. I came back to painting later in life. Initially, it was for fun. I lost my full time job in 2009 and had to look for ways to make a living. So I started doing commissions: pets, people, homes and painting live at weddings. I still do those. I paint in Oils and Watercolors. I also paint nature and landscapes, both in studio and plein air.

I am past Signature member of North Carolina Watercolor Society. I was featured artist for North Carolina Seafood Festival (2017), Kinston BBQ Festival (2016), Cary Lazy Daze (2014), and Parade of Homes (2010),

The most challenging and rewarding work I do is painting live at weddings. I start painting before ceremony or reception and finish it by end of the reception. I often travel for weddings. I am painting at new places with different space, lighting, timeline, weather, music etc. People get to watch an entire painting from blank canvas or paper to finished product. It is quite an experience for couples and wedding guests. And couples get a unique keepsake. I get to talk to many people at weddings. My hope is that they will get inspired and get excited about their own unique creative skills.

I love painting plein air landscapes. There is something magical about painting in open under the Sun.

I sell my original paintings directly. Prints and other reproductions of my art are available on my Fine Art America page: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-tesh-parekh

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

To me, art is more than just something that I do. It is how I explore this world and my own existence here.Art is a profound thing if you have love for it. There was a time when nothing seemed to work with my life and art. But, that put me on a spiritual quest. I explore fundamental questions about life through my art. My art is my mirror: it allows me to see myself. I started as a kid having fun painting and that’s how I want to be. This is not an easy thing. As an artist, I live under the same social and economical conditions as everyone else. I have to pay bills. And yet, I find ways to keep my art alive. Art allows me to connect with both nature and people. I have met some fantastic people through my art. It is very rewarding when my painting connects with someone and they buy it. Or when people trust me enough to commission me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Art is not just a means to an end. I have been painting for years and I am still curious about my art and where it will take me. Sure, I have to make a living and compete in the marketplace. But, if I am not careful, I can gather all kinds of wrong ideas about what art is. My hope is to drop all false ideas that hinder me. I have to paint like playing with “empty net” (sports analogy here!). I came here with absolutely nothing and now have few brushes, paints and canvases/ papers. That is good enough for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teshparekhart.com
• Instagram: @teshparekh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teshparekhart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tesh-parekh-91902333
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/teshparekh/
• Other: Fine Art America: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-tesh-parekh

Image Credits

I have the rights to all images.