Artist of the Month: Deepshikha Mammen

I have always wondered why abstract and minimalist art is so appealing. I believe it’s because the creativity within the artist is just flung on to the canvas which illicit new imaginations within the viewer. It’s filled with exciting monochromatic palettes of bold colours, textures and basic shapes, breaking away from the traditional form of painting. And these elements attract an emotional response and imagination from the viewer. It’s my pleasure today to introduce Deepshikha Mammen, an abstract and minimalistic artist, whose work reflects a distinctive style with emotive use of colour.

 

Have a look at her beautiful work and scroll down to know more about Deepshikha and her art journey.

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am from Haryana but born and brought up in New Delhi. The earlier years of my schooling were from modern school Vasant Vihar New Delhi but later I shifted to Welham girls’ school in Dehra Dun. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Stephens College and that's where I met my husband who is from Kerala. We lived in Melbourne for 8 years and now we are back in India with our 2 Sons.

How did your journey as an artist begin?

My journey as an artist began from the time I saw my mother paint. At age 2 I was introduced to paints by her and loved the idea of filling a crisp white sheet with colours. I always thought she was brilliant. I painted away right through my school years but stopped in 1996. After 1996 it was only in 2010 that I had the courage again to paint. It was in Melbourne after my kids were born that I felt like painting again. My husband’s encouragement made me walk down to the art store down the road from our house and from there I began my journey as an artist once again. Since then my mother, my husband and his family have been a great source of encouragement and support.

How do you define art?

For me art is an expression of a moment or time. It's a feeling and a though which I put on the canvas. Art is beautiful. It is the frame of your mind. You can get to know a bit about a person by walking into their homes and learning about them through their choice of art and deco. Art defines people. It defines you.

What medium do you work on? And what's your inspiration for your work?

The medium I work with is acrylic on canvas. It's a fun medium and basically very easy to work with. My work is inspired by 2 people as of now 1 being the late artist Mark Rothko and the 2nd being my mother Renu D Singh. I have learnt a bit from both their styles.

What is the most challenging aspect about your work?

Selling my work is the most challenging aspect for me. This is mainly because I am not a very social person any more as I was a decade ago and art is something which needs to go places. This may sound strange, but sometime I find it hard to part with some of my own art work! But reality is that you cannot keep it all for yourself even if they are your favourite pieces.

 What is your creative process like? And what keeps you motivated?

 "Colours" are what keeps my creative process going and they are the main motivation behind my art. They are beautiful even in a jar.

Have you had any exhibitions? What have you found to be the best way of getting your art noticed by buyers?

I have never exhibited my art at fairs and studios. It's sold primarily through word of mouth. People buy my art and hang it in their homes and their friends and relatives contact me after viewing my work. My husband and father in law forced me to put up my work on the web and initially I was reluctant but am glad now since it reached others who I have never known.

Any tips or words of wisdom for inspiring artists who want to pursue a similar career?

I am too small an artist to give wisdom to inspiring artists ...but as a person who is having fun with colours the only tip I can give them is this - "paint when you are happy and paint when you want to relax. Don't let criticism of your art ever stop you from painting".

 

Thanks Deepshikha for sharing your art journey with us and inspiring us to unleash our imagination!!

Please click here if you wish to get in touch with her and click here to hop on to her website to view her work.

 

Images via Deepshikha Mammen