We recently connected with Arsh Pal and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Arsh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Arsh Pal is a 14-year-old artist and philanthropist. I started my journey when I was 8 years old. While exploring various hobbies my lean was always towards artwork. Acrylic paint, mixed media, and pencil sketches are my favorite styles of artwork. I started giving away my paintings to friends and family. Meanwhile, when I accompanied my mother, who was working in a nursing home as an occupational therapist, I observed many in pain and loneliness. I got an opportunity to talk/play therapy games with them. The short time I spent there made them smile and be cheerful. I was very touched by the seniors there. That sparked my interest in selling his artwork and helping someone in need. Setting my initial goal of 1,000$ for St Jude Research Hospital Became his beacon in the fog. Meeting my first goal, provided me with the drive to continue to paint and support the community. So far, I have raised & donated more than $18,000 to various Charities including St. Jude Research Hospital, Easter Seals, Compass to Care, and Make a Wish Foundation, YMCA, and many more.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Arsh Pal is a 14-year-old artist and philanthropist. I started my journey when I was 8 years old. While exploring various hobbies my lean was always towards artwork. Acrylic paint, mixed media, and pencil sketches are my favorite styles of artwork. I started giving away my paintings to friends and family. Meanwhile, when I accompanied my mother, who was working in a nursing home as an occupational therapist, I observed many in pain, and lonely. I got an opportunity to talk/play therapy games with them. The short time I spent there made them smile and be cheerful. I was very touched by the seniors there. That sparked my interest in selling my artwork and helping someone in need. Setting my initial goal of 1,000$ for St Jude Research Hospital Became my beacon in the fog. Meeting my first goal, provided him with the drive to continue to paint and support the community. So far, I have raised & donated more than $18,000 to various Charities including St. Jude Research Hospital, Easter Seals, Compass to Care, and Make a Wish Foundation, YMCA and many more.
Often, I am privileged to donate my paintings for charity events for silent/live auctions. I had also done live paintings during fundraising events for a non-profit organization.
Teaching painting to kids/adults, and volunteering at nursing homes are some of my favorite activities. I have been teaching art lessons to nursing home residents as a recreation activity for the last five years.
My future goal is to make art lessons accessible to young kids to help their emotional and psychological well-being. I have been spreading generosity and inspiring others by being a board member of Giving Tuesday and the Loukoumi Foundation for many years. Being a Good Deed Council member of Loukoumi has provided him with opportunities to instill the values of good deeds in students across the globe.
I am honored to be recognized with the Princess Diana Award (UK), the International Star Kids Award, Gloria Barron Prize, the High Flyer 50 (India), KCRG- 9 Who Care Award, the National Thomas Jefferson Award, the Loukomi Make Difference Award and the Movers, Shakers, and News Makers (Iowa) and many more.
I have also been featured in ABC GMA 3rd Hour, KCRG, Iowa PBS, Fox 17 Morning Mix, Bobby Bones show, Desmoinesregister, Telegraph Herald, the Washington Post, News India Times, Desi Talk New York, Desi Talk Chicago, St. Jude Inspire Story Magazine, and many more.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is that I can help people with my passion. I use my time and skills to help the community. I donate money that I get from selling my artwork. I get to express my feelings through my artwork. By teaching art lessons to all ages including young kids to seniors in nursing homes, I can help and provide activities in the community through my art.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
A goal that drives me in my journey is my yearly fundraising goal of $1,000 for St Jude Reasearch Hospital. I accomplish this goal by selling my artwork. Art is a very expressive and healing method for many, specially to those who are dealing with emotional, and mental challenges. Hence another goal is to make art lessons more accessible for children. Art lessons are expensive and difficult to find. My goal is to be able to provide art lessons for free or at very minimum cost to children for them to be able to explore their hobbies and master their skills.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Arsh Pal is a 14-year-old artist and philanthropist. I started his journey when he was 8 years old. While exploring various hobbies his lean was always towards artwork. Acrylic paint, mixed media, and pencil sketches are his favorite styles of artwork. I started giving away his paintings to friends and family. Meanwhile, when I accompanied his mother, who was working in a nursing home as an occupational therapist, I observed many in pain and loneliness. I got an opportunity to talk/play therapy games with them. The short time I spent there made them smile and be cheerful. I was very touched by the seniors there. That sparked his interest in selling his artwork and helping someone in need. Setting his initial goal of 1,000$ for St Jude Research Hospital Became his beacon in the fog. Meeting his first goal, provided him with the drive to continue to paint and support the community. So far, I have raised & donated more than $18,000 to various Charities including St. Jude Research Hospital, Easter Seals, Compass to Care, and Make a Wish Foundation, YMCA, and many more. Often, I am privileged to donate his paintings for charity events for silent/live auctions. I have also done live paintings during fundraising events for a non-profit organization. Teaching painting to kids/adults, and volunteering at nursing homes are some of his favorite activities. I have been teaching art lessons to nursing home residents as a recreation activity for the last five years. His future goal is to make art lessons accessible to young kids to help their emotional and psychological well-being. He has been spreading generosity and inspiring others by being a board member of Giving Tuesday and the Loukoumi Foundation for many years. Being a Good Deed Council member of Loukoumi has provided him with opportunities to instill the values of good deeds in students across the globe. He is honored to be recognized with the Princess Diana Award (UK), the International Star Kids Award, Gloria Barron Prize, the High Flyer 50 (India), KCRG- 9 Who Care Award, the National Thomas Jefferson Award, the Loukomi Make A Difference Award and the Movers, Shakers, and News Makers (Iowa) and many more. He has also been featured in ABC GMA 3rd Hour, KCRG, Iowa PBS, Fox 17 Morning Mix, Bobby Bones show, Desmoinesregister, Telegraph Herald, the Washington Post, News India Times, Desi Talk New York, Desi Talk Chicago, St. Jude Inspire Story Magazine, and many more.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbyarsh
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artbyarsh9690
- Other: https://linktr.ee/admin
Image Credits
Divya Pal