My Journey into the World of Art: A Passion Ignited

Throughout my school days, I never considered myself particularly talented at drawing, and I often dreaded art assignments. However, my true interest in art began after relocating to Bangalore, when I joined the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat (CKP). Initially, I enrolled in a Mysore painting hobby course, which lasted a year. This course sparked a passion within me and transformed art from a casual interest into a serious pursuit.

As my journey continued, I explored various forms of art, including Glass painting, Murals, Coffee painting, Acrylics, and Watercolors. Over time, I’ve developed a significant collection of artwork across these diverse mediums.

The turning point in my artistic journey came in August 2021, during the pandemic. I decided to host a small exhibition titled Artistic Creations to showcase my collection. The exhibition took place in my garage over the weekends, offering a cozy, intimate setting for visitors.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate to display my artwork in several prominent events, including:

• Independence Day celebrations at my office in 2023,
• Sangam Annual Day function in 2023,
• Chitra Santhe 2024, the annual exhibition held at Chitrakala Parishat,
• A newly opened café in Malleshwaram, 2024.

These opportunities have been a huge step in my artistic journey, and I am hopeful that even more will come in the future.

Painting has become my go-to stress reliever and a form of meditation. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or down, painting allows me to focus on a single task, calming my mind and helping me regain balance. It has been essential in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I truly believe that having a hobby outside of your regular work is crucial for mental well-being.

The positive feedback I’ve received at these exhibitions has been a tremendous morale booster. I’ve been able to sell my paintings and receive orders both online and offline. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my work appreciated, and it motivates me to continue exploring new art forms and creating more.

 

From Kitchen Garden to Farming: A Journey of Passion and Growth

Farming had always been a distant thought in the back of my mind, especially since I enjoyed kitchen gardening. This year, however, that idea became a reality when I decided to experiment with a small plot of land in my native village. I grew avaere and alsande, unsure of how the plants would fare, particularly since I had to rely entirely on rainfall, as there was no borewell on the property.

I invested a portion of my savings to clear and prepare the land, fully aware that I might not see a return on that investment. But my passion for the venture kept me motivated. When harvest time finally arrived, I was met with mixed results. The alsande crop didn’t do well, as it got infested with worms, and avaere was somewhat affected too. Still, I was glad to see some harvest, especially as a first-time farmer. The amount of seeds I planted was returned to me, and the joy I felt was beyond words.

The journey hasn’t been easy, though. It involved a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, and overcoming numerous challenges—whether it was managing labor, traveling from Bangalore to the village, constantly monitoring the progress, or spending a bit more than I had anticipated. But every bit of effort has been worth it.

I embarked on this journey to gain firsthand experience in farming, and now I’m excited about the possibility of transitioning into full-time farming. My goal is to create a brand and sell my produce, building something meaningful from the ground up.