Story

From the moment I could hold a pencil, I was captivated by art. As a child, I would spend hours sketching, painting, and creating, lost in my own little world. Whenever anyone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always the same: “I want to be an artist.” I took part in every art competition in school, bringing home awards and feeling like my dream was within reach.

But as I grew older, reality started to set in. By 2011, in India, I began to realize that the world wasn’t as encouraging of handmade art as I had hoped. The demand just wasn’t there. My passion was overshadowed by societal pressure to pursue something more "practical." I packed away my brushes, telling myself it was time to focus on a more stable future.

In 2014, I made the biggest leap of my life. I left India and moved to Canada, searching for better opportunities and a new beginning. What I hadn’t expected was how much of a struggle it would be. Suddenly, I found myself in a foreign country, battling homesickness, and trying to fit into a culture so different from the one I knew. I was juggling school, working multiple jobs, and just trying to keep my head above water. In the chaos of trying to build a life here, I completely lost touch with my art.

Those early years in Canada were tough lonely at times, exhausting at others. I questioned everything: Was this move even worth it? Was I ever going to feel like I belonged? And as the years passed, my dream of being an artist felt more distant than ever. Life was all about survival, and art? Art seemed like a distant memory, a luxury I couldn’t afford.

But then something unexpected happened.

After years of struggle, I finally became a Canadian citizen. Yet, even with this newfound sense of belonging, something felt missing. I was back in school to upgrade my credentials and this time taking it slow, working a corporate job, but I still felt like a part of me was lost. And that’s when it hit me—what was missing was my “art”.

I’ll never forget the day I walked into a small art store, almost by accident. I was running errands, stressed about school deadlines and work, when I found myself drawn to the vibrant colors of paint and the familiar smell of canvases. Something inside me clicked. It was as if all the years of pushing my passion aside came rushing back in that moment. I couldn’t ignore it anymore—I needed to paint. I needed to create.

So, I did something I hadn’t done in years: I bought a canvas and some paint. That night, I sat in my space and began to paint for the first time in what felt like forever. Brushstroke by brushstroke, I started to remember who I was. It was like reconnecting with a part of my soul that I had buried for so long. I was no longer just a student or an employee—I was an artist again.

From that moment, everything changed. I started creating more and sharing my work online. What began as a personal journey to reconnect with my lost passion turned into something more—people began to notice, comment, and even ask to buy my pieces. It was surreal. Suddenly, what I had once thought was a childhood dream was becoming a reality.

Today, I’m still balancing my corporate job and school, but this time, I’m not letting go of my art. It’s become my emotional outlet, a way for me to express the struggles, the triumphs, and everything in between. It’s more than just selling art—it’s about sharing a piece of my journey with the world.

So here I am, inviting you to be a part of this journey with me. Every piece I create is a reflection of where I’ve been and where I’m going. Whether or not you choose to buy something, I appreciate your support in sharing my work—it means more than you know. Because for me, this isn’t just about art. It’s about finding myself again and making sure I never lose that part of me ever again.

Thank you for being here and for keeping my dream alive.