We were lucky to catch up with Khushi Patel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Khushi 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.

The first time I knew that I wanted to take up a creative path professionally was when I finished drawing my very first pen art of Shreenathji. This was quite a pivotal experience that changed the way I looked at art and its purpose in my life.
By that time, I was self-learning painting, having just finished a summer of basic learning from my neighbor. At the time, I did not particularly like pen art because it required precision and patience, but something about the challenge intrigued me. I picked up a simple black pen, eraser, scale, and pencil fancy tools or markers and decided to sketch the intricate figure of Shreenathji. I wasn’t confident I could finish it, but I told myself, “Let’s see how far I can go.”

Working, my father would come by, look at what had been done, and encourage me. He praised every little detail, and his appreciation pushed me to keep going even when I wanted to give up. That constant support made me realize how much joy and fulfillment art brought, not only to me but to the people looking at my work. Finishing that pen art was such a satisfying moment; it felt like my creativity, for the first time, had the power to communicate with people and make them feel something.

That experience made me think, “If something I create with my hands and heart could have this impact, why not explore it?” It was no longer a hobby but something I wanted to seriously get into and keep learning, growing, and creating. That was the moment that fixed in my mind that I was an artist, a moment when art was not just about expressing myself but connecting and making a change through creativity.

Since then, I’ve been on a path of constant exploration, blending traditional and modern art forms, dreaming of turning my passion into a lifelong career.

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?

Hi! My name is Khushi Patel, and I am an artist from Ahmedabad, India, founder of Karayantrika-which in Hindi means bestower of courage. My journey into art began in 6th grade when, upon my mom’s insistence that I try something other than swimming and dancing, I went to summer painting classes very grudgingly. While growing up, I initially hated it and preferred afternoon naps to sketching. However, as I learned pencil sketching, the art of bringing ideas to life on paper fascinated me. Gradually, I checked out various art forms such as pen art, watercolors, and canvas painting, which were motivating since they created something unique. I continued teaching myself online even after my formal lessons were over, learning intricate techniques such as clay work on canvas, dot painting, Tanjore art, and gold leaf art, among others. I merge traditional methods with modern flair to create works that are both stunning to the eye and profound in their meaning. I also created Karayantrika, an online platform where I share my work, original works, customized artworks, and versatile pieces for homes and offices that can stand tall to be given as a gift. My work is unique because it brings together traditional Indian and contemporary techniques with personal meaning, and it is made to inspire positivity, courage, and joy. The fact that my art brings joy and connectedness to people’s lives is one of the biggest accomplishments in my life, and it’s what keeps pushing me while I grow and change as an artist. Whether you are seeking a colorful painting, a personalized art piece, or just inspiration, I invite you to join me on this creative journey at Karayantrika, where every piece is designed to tell a story and spread positivity.
Here is my back story in detail. Painting is not just a passion for me, but it has been one optimistic journey of discovery and growth. My love for painting started unexpectedly during a summer vacation when I was in 6th grade. Every year, my mom used to enroll me in extracurricular activities like swimming and dancing. Though those were enjoyable, that summer I wanted something different. I happened to find out that my neighbor was teaching painting classes for kids. Not being forced, but nudged by my mom, I signed up without reluctance at the time I wanted to spend napping in the afternoons.

Initially, I wasn’t interested, but my neighbor began teaching me pencil sketching. It’s a traditional art form where rough sketches become the foundation for refined works. I started enjoying it more than expected and came out with a strong grip on pencil art. Further, she introduced me to pen work, which is a meticulous and so precise art form. Patience has never been my cup of tea, and I realized very soon that this isn’t my thing.

My neighbor, seeing my interests, shifted me to watercolor painting. In that, I could experiment with brushes, the mixture of colors, and the flow of painting. Once I felt satisfied with the basics, I went on to canvas painting, which was a new thing for me. The textures, techniques, and acrylics used were very different from anything I’d tried before; they were difficult, but the process was pretty cool. My first canvas was far from ideal, but the learning curve only helped me to fall in love with the medium.

So, when summer ended, I didn’t go back to formal classes but instead opted to teach myself. I started with pen art after I saw a sketch of Shreenathji, which caught my eye. I didn’t like pen work, but I started with just a black pen, eraser, and pencil with the determination to finish. My father’s encouragement right from the beginning motivated me through every step of it. Completing that artwork was a turning point—it wasn’t just about finishing a piece but realizing my potential as an artist.

From that moment, I decided to experiment more and began exploring creative ideas on my own. I started painting on walls, turning every corner of my home into a canvas. Over the years, the internet became my greatest teacher. I learned it all through Google and YouTube: clay work on canvas, dot painting, gold leaf painting, digital portrait painting, rhinestone art, and even Tanjore art—a very classical South Indian form of art celebrated for its richness in details and embellishments with gold leaves.

I love how one can merge traditional with modern techniques in painting to produce something very different. Besides learning all the skills required for this work, the entire process has taught me patience, hard work, and creativity.

Today, painting is my stress buster, my creative outlet, and a source of endless inspiration. It has shaped me as a person and continues to be an integral part of my life. My journey as an artist is still evolving, and I am excited to keep learning, experimenting, and growing.

I think in the end, art is not just about creating something beautiful; it’s about expressing a part of yourself and connecting to others, leaving behind a part of your story. Painting is my story, and I’m still writing it one stroke at a time.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What inspires me, perhaps the most rewarding is creating something that means a lot to someone else. It’s this indescribable joy while watching someone connect with a piece of art-smiling because of the colors, perhaps evoking some feeling of nostalgia with a certain theme, or even excitement from seeing a customized piece come into existence. Art allows me to express my emotions and stories, but the true reward lies in how it impacts those who engage with it.

Knowing that something I’ve created can add beauty to someone’s home, uplift their mood, or inspire courage and positivity is incredibly fulfilling. Also, it was gratifying to know about my growth as an artist-from those early days of pencil sketches to blending today the traditional techniques of Tanjore art with contemporary styles. Every single piece I create speaks volumes about my journey, and the opportunity to keep learning, experimenting, and sharing this passion with others is what makes being an artist so meaningful.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The driving mission behind my creative journey at Karayantrika has been to make art approachable, relatable, and inspiring to a larger audience while establishing my work as a relevant force in the marketplace. It is my goal that with Karayantrika, people share not only beautiful art pieces but stories, emotions, and the courage to be creative. For me, art is all about connectivity: connecting with people, lighting up spaces, and infusing positivity into other people’s lives.

A major aim is to appeal to a bigger audience through various pieces for all tastes, either traditional Indian art forms like Tanjore painting or even modern techniques such as clay work and digital portraits. I want more and more people to experience art as something that could add beauty to their lives it a bright-colored canvas in their house, a personalized gift, or even just following me and drawing inspiration from my journey.

I am committed to exploring new opportunities to bring my creations into the market: exhibitions, collaborations, and an online presence where people can easily discover and connect with my art. My ultimate mission is to build a community of art lovers who can find joy, inspiration, and connection in my works while continuously learning and maturing as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_karayantrika/?igsh=M2FndWxueWlzbXZh