We were lucky to catch up with Devayani Vaishnav recently and have shared our conversation below.

Devayani, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

It gives me immense satisfaction earning full-time living as an artist. I am a creative person by nature. It started from my early childhood coming from a family where art was encouraged may that be vocal, music or other forms. With family’s support and strong education in fine arts, I continue to try to hone my skills in my creative journey as an artist. I like to paint so I can illustrate my thoughts, my experience as a child growing up close to nature. On the other hand, being an artist makes one feel different. One, essentially none of my friends are artist so becomes somewhat difficult to “fit in”. Second, from an earning’s stream perspective, my friends have regular job earning continuous and stable money.
Sometimes I do wonder, if I were to have to have a regular job. It would provide me with a set schedule for the week and steady source of income. However, being an artist provides me plenty of benefits to more than offset that. One, most importantly, it provides me an outlet for my creative ideas and skills that a regular job will not be able to provide. Second, it provides me the thrill and throes of earnings not only from a financial perspective but more importantly that my work, my product, my skill is liked by people and they are willing to pay for it. Being, a business owner allows me to improve my entrepreneurial skills such as managing customer, supply, demand, marketing and finance, all in one, as well as hiring outside help as needed. Three, it provides tremendous flexibility to take care of my family and pursue my art career.

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 have always found myself drawn to the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Through a mixed media approach, I reinterpret mother nature, primarily through abstracted landscapes, experimenting with vivid and bold colors. An emphasis on materiality adds texture and dimension, as if the scenes I depict begin to creep off the canvas and into our reality. Inspired by my surroundings, my travels, and my experiences, I create artworks from a space of peace and tranquility, allowing the artworks I create to resonate with viewers.

My artwork refuses to be defined by a singular style, form, or medium. Thick gestural applications of paint or fluid swirls of color come to life in original abstractions. Formed from combinations of alcohol ink, acrylics, pastels, and more, I allow the materiality of each piece to be dictated by my subjects. I intuitively respond to the emotions they produce. I orchestrate an array of textures on my surfaces, some materials absorb into deep saturations while others push back and begin to layer. Artworks take on three-dimensional qualities through illusions of depths. The visceral experience this creates is intensified through my signature use of bright color. The rich vivacity of my palette entices and enchants viewers as they reveal the inherent majesty of our world.

In a nutshell, I do commission as well as my own paintings along with resin art. I think it is important for my clients to know that the connection between the buyer, me and my art is critical to enhance the overall art experience.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being new in the US, it was and continues to be a challenge to connect with a broader audience of different nationalities. Initially, my art used to represent traditional Indian origin. However, over time, I have developed new techniques using textures, mix media, ink, resin etc. As a result, my client portfolio diversity has increased significantly.

Language was another barrier as English is my second language. I was very shy and hesitant to speak because my accent. However, I found people were very welcoming and never had an issue with it. It just took time for me to realize and build my confidence. I have come to realize that it comes down to the quality of art work that matters the most.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Not necessarily resources, but I wish someone had told me earlier, creating art is only half of the work. Marketing and sales are equally important to be recognized and sell artwork. I still struggle with it as creating art comes more naturally to me vs. calling art galleries and posting on social medias. However, I am consciously aware of this and putting more efforts in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbydevayani.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbydevayani/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbydevayani
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artbydevayani-devayani-vaishnav-25720913/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/artbydevayani