We were lucky to catch up with Jasbir Saggu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jasbir, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I’ve always had a creative inclination, starting from my early days of painting and sketching to designing go-karts, race circuits, event concepts, and even hostel spaces. The inspiration to think outside the box often came during my biking adventures across the mountains. Despite being an entrepreneur for over a decade, I felt a lingering sense that something was missing in my life. It wasn’t until a challenging motorcycle journey through the Himalayas that I had an epiphany – life had more to offer beyond materialism.

This realization fueled my decision to take a significant risk and transition into a full-time career in art, working primarily with oil on canvas. It was a leap into the unknown, leaving the stability of entrepreneurship behind. However, during that rigorous Himalayan ride, I understood that the true essence of life goes beyond mere possessions. Giving my art 100% commitment proved to be a transformative decision, allowing me to express myself fully.

Now, reflecting on this journey, I am grateful for the love and respect my art has garnered. As Robert Frost aptly said, ‘I have miles to go before I sleep.’ This risk has brought me to a place where I genuinely belong, and I am excited about the continued exploration of my artistic path.

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.

My journey into the realm of art has been a continuous exploration of different styles and technicalities, with a profound commitment to understanding the history and evolution of this timeless craft.

To reach the point where I am today, I immersed myself in the process, often spending 12-16 hours a day, tirelessly painting for months on end. The culmination of this dedication was the showcasing of my artworks at various platforms, including group exhibitions, private events, and prestigious art galleries.

What sets my art apart is the unique blend of elements within my compositions. I marry the physicality of action painting with fluid gestures and liquid glaze. Splatter and drips become a language of motion, creating a dynamic interplay of colours. My preferred medium is oils, chosen for its exceptional properties – solidity, lustre, depth, and transparency, which lends itself to outstanding glazes. Given the complexity of oil painting, the creation of each piece takes months, prompting me to explore multiple ideas simultaneously.

My true passion lies in abstract expressionism, a genre that allows me to take viewers on an intense journey through layers of colour. The uninhibited process involves superimposing thin layers of oil paint with final impasto finishes, creating a multi-layered picture with pentimenti peeking through. I aim to showcase space and depth, inviting viewers to traverse through these layers and back to the surface, ultimately leading to a grand finale.

In essence, my art is not just a visual experience but a narrative, an exploration of emotion and form that invites viewers to join me on a captivating journey through the layers of my creativity.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

Well, let me tell you about my take on NFTs. I’ve tried to wrap my head around them, but I can’t shake off the feeling that I’m a bit like an artist stuck in the Renaissance trying to figure out a smartphone. Call me old-school, but I’m a firm believer that art is meant to be a sensory experience. I mean, what’s the point of creating something beautiful if you can’t feel it or sense it?

Now, I might be a bit technologically challenged, but I see NFTs as the rebellious teenagers of the art world, claiming they can redefine everything. It’s like they’re saying, “Forget the canvas, we’re going digital!” But hey, I’m not ready to part with my brushes and oils just yet. I need that tactile connection with my art.

Sure, people talk about Web 3.0 and how NFTs are the future, but I’m over here thinking, “Can I hang a blockchain on my wall?” I feel like we’re in the early chapters of a sci-fi novel, and I haven’t quite caught up.

So, call me a sceptic or label me as someone who’s yet to embrace the digital art revolution fully. I believe we’ve got a lot to learn about this brave new world of NFTs before we can truly understand how they’ll revolutionize the art scene. Maybe one day, I’ll have an NFT that you can smell or touch. Until then, my brushes and I are sticking to the tangible canvas.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is the profound mind-body-soul connection that occurs during the creative process. Painting is not just a visual act; it engages all my senses and taps into a realm of pure emotions and feelings. When I’m at the easel, I’m not concerned with external opinions or what the world thinks. My focus is entirely on the personal journey I’m immersed in and the authentic expression I’m trying to convey through my art.

There’s a unique satisfaction, almost spiritual, that comes from the process of creation. It’s a dance between inspiration and the canvas, a conversation between my thoughts and the strokes of my brush. In those moments, the act of painting becomes a form of meditation, allowing me to explore the depths of my creativity and emotions.

Creativity, in its essence, is a mysterious force. It’s not just about technique or skill; it’s about tapping into the unseen, letting the subconscious guide the brush. What makes people creative is the ability to embrace vulnerability, dig deep into their own experiences and translate them into something tangible. It’s about being open to the unexpected, finding beauty in imperfections, and allowing the art to evolve organically.

In the end, the most rewarding part is not just the finished artwork but the entire journey – the moments of struggle, the flashes of inspiration, and the sheer joy of creating something that resonates with my innermost self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jasbirsaggu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jas_expressions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Jasbir-Saggu/pfbid02tAJrFftEUGRMoXRYretD3UPwifqGKQTZBiSamkNgjUBtBymAewAEEmSw7vwz9nNnl/