We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arikka a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Arikka, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I chose this topic because I have a regular job! Let me back up to 2015, I had my second son and left the dental field to become a stay at home mom especially because the price of daycare was so high it made no sense for me to work. That was a busy time for me but my husband encouraged me to rent a studio in the RiNo art district in Denver. Although it was a stretch for us financially being on one income it was also a way for me to reconnect to my great passion of painting! I was fortunate to form relationships with some of Denver’s great abstract artists and although I had only painted portraits and nudes I decided to give abstracts a try and what an adventure it has been!

I took a chance and jumped into showcasing my work, selling and showing my work nationally from Denver, Boulder, California and NYC! In 2022 I joined a team of Denver Artists called the Conspiracy Art Four! We brought in Denver artists to showcase their work during our quarterly shows. I felt I was in my prime and it was just getting better until my husband had asked for a divorce in 2023! Amongst many life changes I could not survive and raise my two sons on art alone. I had to go back to work! I currently work in the health field and although it was a rough transition for me I love patient care!

I’m still painting and selling and trying to find balance in all the roles I have in my life but it has been an opportunity for growth and healing as well!

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 took an elective class in college to finish my credits! I really wanted something easy so I signed up for a figure drawing class when I was 19 and little did I know what a life changing experience this would be! I walked in very naively not knowing what to expect. I was greeted by my eccentric but friendly teacher in a room full of easels a stage, random props and a dusty vintage stereo playing Mozart! The model walks on the stage and drops her robe to reveal her nakedness. I was a small state of shock but it only lasted a few minutes as I heard charcoal on paper and realized all students young and old took this very seriously and so should I and so the journey began!

I feel most proud of the fact that 28 years later I have continued to paint and never abandoned it although there has been seasons where it has been out in the back burner longer than I would like too admit! I don’t enjoy commission work as I feel it restricts my flow. I want my work to have it’s own voice or have none at all! My work is certainly not for everyone but I hope it evokes something whether it be a positive or a negative!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I don’t like change!!! But life is change and it must be embraced! I suffered major post partum depression with my sons that lasted for years. The death of dearest loved ones especially my grandmother who was also and artist and a great inspiration to me. My divorce was a difficult one and I’m still getting on my feet! Although my art has had its seasons I have never stopped painting! It is my soul work!

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

I don’t know if this is necessarily “unlearning “ but I always felt safe selling and advertising to friends and family because I was comfortable with my audience! I have a very supportive group of friends and family that support me always. But I force myself to go outside my comfort zone and open my work to all even if it’s scary!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Arikkaj
• Linkedin: Arikka Jitendranath