Interview with abstract artist Alpana Rai
1. What inspired you to become an artist?
My inspiration to become an artist stems from a deep, intuitive connection with
creativity and expression. Growing up, I always felt an innate pull toward colors and
forms, finding solace and joy in creating without constraints. As an introvert, art
became my voice—a way to express emotions, memories, and experiences that words
couldn’t fully capture.
A significant turning point was my sister Anjana Rai, who is also an artist. She
recognized my passion and encouraged me to take it seriously as a career. Her support
and belief in my abilities gave me the confidence to pursue this path wholeheartedly.
2. How would you describe your artistic style?
My artistic style can be described as vibrant, intuitive, and deeply emotional. I create
abstract landscapes that are inspired by my recent travels, blending natural elements
with a sense of imagination and personal expression. My work is a balance between
the external beauty of nature and the internal emotions I experience as an introvert.
I gravitate toward bold, uplifting colors, with pinks and blues being my favorites.
These shades help convey energy, calm, and optimism, while adding a dreamlike
quality to my landscapes. My brushstrokes are spontaneous and free, guided by
intuition rather than control, allowing the emotions and energy of the moment to
shape the composition organically. Through my art, I aim to evoke a sense of connection, wonder, and introspection.
Each piece is a visual expression of my inner world—a way for me to communicate
emotions and thoughts that are otherwise difficult to articulate. My style invites
viewers to immerse themselves in the artwork and interpret it in their own unique
way, creating a personal dialogue between the painting and the audience.
3. What themes or concepts do you explore in your artwork?
In my artwork, I explore themes of connection, emotion, and the interplay between
nature and imagination. Much of my work is inspired by landscapes from my travels,
but these are not literal representations. Instead, they are abstract interpretations that
blend memory, energy, and intuition.
A recurring concept in my art is the idea of a shared emotional space—what I call a
bridge between the viewer and myself. Being an introvert, my paintings often express
emotions and thoughts I find difficult to articulate in words, allowing my art to serve
as a form of communication.
I’m also fascinated by human imagination and the collective unconscious. My work
aims to evoke a sense of familiarity while leaving space for viewers to interpret the
forms and colors in their own way. I hope to inspire feelings of joy, introspection, and
connection, inviting people to immerse themselves in a vibrant, dreamlike world
where nature and emotion coexist.
Through bold colors and dynamic compositions, I aim to create art that resonates
with both the inner and outer landscapes of life.
4. How do you approach a new piece of artwork?
When I approach a new piece of artwork, I begin with no set plan—just random
colors on the canvas to ignite the creative process. This initial spontaneity allows me
to break free from constraints and trust my intuition. I step back often, looking at the
canvas from afar, and this distance helps me see shapes, marks, or directions that
guide the next steps.
While I work intuitively at the start, I often incorporate elements from my
sketchbook—random objects, trees, mountains, rivers, or benches I’ve drawn over
time. These elements might seem unrelated, but for me, they hold meaning and create
a narrative within the painting. They’re my way of blending memory, imagination,
and emotion into the piece.
The choice of colors and brushstrokes flows naturally with the process. I don’t decide
on a palette beforehand; instead, I let the painting evolve, selecting colors that feel
right in the moment. Bold and uplifting shades, especially pinks and blues, often find
their way into my work because they resonate with the energy I want to convey.
Throughout the process, I constantly step back to reflect on the painting from a
distance. This helps me reconnect with my intuition and memory, allowing the
painting to “speak” to me. It’s in these moments that I know what’s needed next or
when the piece feels complete. My process is a journey of trust, exploration, and
emotional connection, both with the canvas and with myself.
5. How do you know when a piece is finished?
Knowing when a piece is finished is a deeply intuitive process for me. Throughout
my painting journey, I constantly step back and view the work from a distance,
letting it guide me. There’s a moment when the elements—the colors, brushstrokes,
and incorporated forms—feel balanced and cohesive, as if the painting is finally at
peace.
It’s also about the emotional connection. When I no longer feel the urge to add or
change anything, and the piece resonates with the feeling or energy I aimed to
capture, I know it’s complete. Sometimes, the painting "speaks" to me, telling me that it has reached its full potential.
Of course, this sense of completion can be subtle, and it requires trust in my intuition.
I’ve learned to embrace the imperfections and let go when I feel the artwork has
achieved what it was meant to express, leaving space for the viewer’s imagination to
engage with the piece.
6. What is the most challenging aspect of creating art for you?
The most challenging aspect of creating art for me is knowing when to step back and
trust the process. As someone who paints intuitively, it can be tempting to overwork a
piece in the pursuit of perfection. Striking the balance between instinct and control is
a constant challenge—allowing the artwork to evolve naturally while resisting the
urge to refine every detail.
Another challenge is staying vulnerable throughout the process. As an introvert, my
art is my primary way of expressing emotions and inner thoughts. This makes
creating deeply personal, and sharing my work with the world can feel exposing at
times. However, I’ve come to embrace this vulnerability as a strength, recognizing
that it’s what connects me with viewers on a deeper level.
Lastly, maintaining a flow of inspiration can sometimes be difficult. While I draw
ideas from my travels and memories, there are moments when I question whether I’m
truly conveying the energy or emotion I want to express. Overcoming this self-doubt
and trusting my intuition is an ongoing journey, but one that has helped me grow as
an artist.
7. Which piece of art are you most proud of, and why?
Each of these pieces is close to my heart, but if I had to choose one, it would be Be
Bold, Journey Through Landscape, Living Near Water. This piece holds a special
place because it encapsulates the intuitive process and emotional connection I bring
to my work.
When I created it, I started with no specific plan—just a mix of bold colors and
spontaneous brushstrokes. Over time, the painting began to take shape, and as I
stepped back to observe it from a distance, elements from my sketchbook and
memory came to life on the canvas. This piece resonates deeply with me because it
represents both my love for landscapes and my inner emotional journey as an
introvert.
The bold use of colors, especially the pinks and blues, reflects the uplifting emotions
I aim to convey, while the free-flowing brushstrokes capture the spontaneity and trust
I place in my intuition. This artwork feels like a harmonious balance between nature,
imagination, and self-expression, making it one of the creations I am most proud of.
8. What do you want people to feel or think when they view your artwork?
When people view my artwork, I want them to feel a sense of joy, freedom, and
connection. My bold use of color, particularly shades of pink and blue, is intentionally
chosen to uplift the viewer’s mood and evoke positivity. I want my paintings to be a
visual escape, transporting viewers to a world where they can interpret the landscapes
and abstract forms through their own experiences and emotions.
At the same time, I hope my work sparks introspection. As an introvert, my art is deeply
personal—it’s my way of expressing emotions and thoughts that words cannot capture. I want people to sense the honesty and vulnerability embedded in the layers of paint and to find something within the artwork that resonates with their own feelings or memories. Whether it’s a fleeting connection to nature, a dreamlike landscape, or a reflection of their own emotions, my goal is to create a space where viewers can feel both grounded and inspired.
9. Who or what influences your work the most?
The Australian landscape is a significant inspiration in my work, serving as the
foundation for many of my abstract interpretations. The vast open spaces, dynamic
skies, and ever-changing hues of nature deeply resonate with me. However, the bold
and vibrant colors I choose are profoundly influenced by my Indian background.
Growing up immersed in the celebration of festivals like Diwali and Holi, I was
surrounded by an explosion of colors, light, and joy. These experiences instilled in
me a love for bold palettes and a desire to create art that evokes happiness, energy,
and connection.
Through my work, I aim to merge these influences—the serene beauty of the
Australian environment and the vivid cultural vibrancy of my upbringing—into
pieces that feel alive and expressive. This combination allows me to celebrate both
my roots and the place I now call home, creating a unique artistic voice that honors
both.
10. Are there any artists (past or present) who have impacted your artistic journey?
I am deeply inspired by artists like Georgia O Keeffe, Helen Frankenthaler, Mark
Rothko, and many others who have shaped the world of art in profound ways.
Georgia O Keeffe’s ability to bring landscapes and natural forms to life with her
unique perspective resonates with my own connection to nature. Helen
Frankenthaler's use of fluid, intuitive techniques and her exploration of abstract
expressionism have greatly influenced my approach to painting. Mark Rothko’s
emotive use of color and his ability to convey deep feelings through abstract forms
inspire me to push boundaries in expressing emotions through bold palettes.
These artists, along with countless others, remind me of the power of art to evoke
emotions, tell stories, and create connections. Their works inspire me to continue
exploring my own voice and vision, embracing intuition, color, and emotion as
central elements of my journey.
Each piece I create is a reflection of this ongoing dialogue between the influences I
admire and the intuitive, personal journey I embrace.
11. Do you draw inspiration from nature, music, history, or personal experiences?
I draw inspiration primarily from nature and personal experiences. The Australian
landscapes I’ve encountered during my travels deeply influence my work, with their
vibrant colors and diverse forms sparking my creativity. Being an introvert, my art
also becomes a way of expressing personal emotions and moments that words cannot
capture.
Music plays a role as well, often setting the mood while I paint and helping me flow
intuitively with my brushstrokes. My Indian background, especially the joy and
vibrancy of festivals like Diwali and Holi, has shaped my love for bold, uplifting
colors. This combination of nature’s beauty, cultural richness, and personal
experiences allows me to create pieces that are both deeply personal and universally
resonant.
12. Have you ever experimented with styles or mediums outside of your usual approach?
Yes, I enjoy experimenting with different mediums and tools to expand my creative
horizons. While acrylic paints remain my primary medium, I occasionally
incorporate mixed media elements like oil paints, pastels, and charcoals into my
work. This allows me to add depth, texture, and contrast to my paintings.
I also explore using unconventional tools beyond traditional brushes, such as palette
knives, sponges, or even random objects, to create unique marks and patterns. These
experiments not only bring fresh perspectives to my process but also allow my
intuition to guide me in unexpected and exciting ways. Pushing boundaries with
styles and mediums keeps my art dynamic and ever-evolving.
13. What do you think is the most important skill for an artist to have beyond just creating art?
Beyond the act of creating art, I believe the most important skill for an artist is self-
trust and having faith in their process. It’s essential to believe in your vision and
creation, even when the journey feels uncertain or when others may not fully
understand your work.
Trusting yourself enables you to take risks, embrace experimentation, and remain
authentic to your unique voice as an artist. This confidence helps you push through
challenges, adapt, and continue growing. Art is deeply personal, and having faith in
your process allows you to channel that authenticity into your work, making it more
meaningful and impactful.
