We recently connected with Surekha Surendranathan and have shared our conversation below.

Surekha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I used to doodle a lot with black ink and never work with colors especially as a teenager. I was angsty and moody teenager who was plus size and dark-skinned in a country obsessed with beauty standards. When I moved to the US, I met very similar people who used their creativity as a form of expression. I started to make a lot of body inclusivity and feminism- based art and it was an amazing outlet. I feel very comfortable with my body and myself now and a huge chunk of it was due to a freedom to express. Also, these pieces have been so well-received in the few markets that I have been to. It honestly feels rewarding when people who went through all this, relate to it as well.

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?

Hello! I am Surekha, a researcher and an artist from Chennai, India. I work with microorganisms, mostly viruses like Sars CoV-2 by day and I draw or read crime thrillers by night. My love for art was always encouraged right from childhood by my awesome family, friends and now my amazing husband. Drawing, Doodling, painting – these were and are my coping mechanisms as an introverted adult. My art reflects some themes like Body inclusivity, celestial bodies, feminism and other not-so-serious themes like characters from sitcoms. I would definitely love to be more consistent with my art and would love to incorporate more elements in the future. I fiercely love Memphis and love the art scene here. The markets are amazing and the people have been warm and encouraging always.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best thing the society can do is to be present. Especially in this digital age, it costs nothing to share and hype up a local business. It will also be amazing if people shop from small businesses as they are unique, mostly eco-friendly and great for the economy in general. I remember once, during my market days, an elderly couple bought greeting cards from etch doodles and said they loved them and preferred them over mass-produced cards. I was extremely happy and was in cloud nine. Something I made will make someone else’s day!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The ability to express through a creative medium. Also, when people come to you and tell you that what you do matters and it tells a story or even makes someone happy. Some folks that I have met would not even buy anything but they will come and tell you that my art is beautiful. That kind of pure validation really helps in self-confidence and makes me feel more inspired everyday.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @etchdoodles