"Inspiring Artist!" Vinita Jain

Introducing artist, Vinita Jain…

Please introduce yourself and your art a little bit.

I am primarily a Soft Pastel Artist living in Cary in North Carolina. Recently I have started working in Acrylics as well. My work is semi-abstract and I work in an impressionistic manner trying to create rhythm and movement in my work. I am a member of the Pastel Society of NC and The Fine Arts League of Cary and I exhibit in their shows on a regular basis. Last year I won the third place in the Abstract Category of the Pastel 100 competition of the Pastel Journal which was published in March/April 2010 issue. Currently one of my paintings was chosen as the exhibition finalist in the annual ArtKudos International Art Competition and can be viewed at www.artkudos.com.

Where can people find you and your work?

My website is www.vinitajain.net.

Currently I am exhibiting at Martin’s Curry Rice in Cary (www.martinscurryrice.com) as well as in a group exhibit by the Pastel Society of NC at the Halle Cultural Arts Center Apex, NC. My fan page on the facebook is called Vinita Art Gallery. Also one of my paintings is the exhibition finalist at the annual ArtKudos International Competition can be viewed at ArtKudos.com for the next one year.

Finish this thought: For me art is…

a way of life, the means by which I can look inside myself and the way by which I can express myself.

What do you like about working in pastels?

I like working with pastels due to the immediacy and spontaneity of the medium. I work in layers with unblended repetitive strokes and pastels work well with this style of working.

Where do you find the inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration in different kinds of subject matter. I usually get attracted to a subject due to the color and the way light falls on it. I mostly compose the work by cropping the picture and adjusting the colors such that it gives me an interesting, semi-abstract platform to start working with.

Can you talk a little bit about your shift from painting representational imagery to exploring more abstract forms?

Yes, there has been a shift in my work from representational to semi-abstract. This has happened due to my interest and exploration of abstract forms, color, rhythm and movement. I have started working more intuitively enjoying the spontaneity of the moment. I no longer look at my work as defined objects but rather as abstract free flowing forms with a sense of movement, rhythm and strong color.

Your artistic vision is inspiring! Who has inspired you?

My artistic journey has been influenced by the work of many previous masters like Van Gogh, Monet and Degas. The use of color in the work of Wolf Kahn brings me immense joy and is truly inspiring.

What is the next step in your artistic career?

I want to continue to work intuitively and explore the abstract forms and ideas. I would also like to work in a more free and spontaneous manner with a bolder approach to color yet maintaining a sense of rhythm and movement which are the inherent qualities of my work.

Are there any tips to living a creative life that you’d like to share?

In order to live a creative life do not be scared of the unknown. Experiment with new ideas and themes and create a path which is truly yours and unique.

Thank you Vinita! You really did a great job with the questions & the colors in your work are explosive, I love them!