While I don’t have any formal background in art and I didn’t study it in high school or college, I was raised in a household with two very artistic brothers, one who received a scholarship in art and so I have been surrounded by art for much of my life. I was well into my 40s when I decided to experiment with art and pursue it on my own. Right from the start, with my very first painting, (which I still keep for sentimental purposes) I could see my style was leaning toward the contemporary and abstract and so have followed this path ever since.
My art aims to communicate universal, abstract concepts like peace, hope and serenity, and by doing so, offer a sense of calm to the viewer. My paintings are often abstract landscapes that use light to reflect hope since light for me has always been a spiritual, not just a physical dimension of my work. With a strong interest in graphic design and a love of symbolism, my paintings are in many ways symbolic graphic designs set to colour and paint. When I paint a circle, for example, I use it as a symbol to represent the unity of life. The sun and moon are symbols for the light of God. Birds in my paintings reflect the spiritual journey throughout our lives and water reflects the symbolic, unconscious life force.
My biggest influence to date is abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. I find his work with basic colour schemes simple, yet sublime. On my best days when I feel my colours and shapes are working together in harmonious ways, I hope my paintings express a small element of the sublime, too.
Even though I can’t say that I have developed a career in art, I have certainly developed an avocation in art. Creating art is a part of my joy, passion, therapy, prayer, meditation, contemplation, connection to Source and soulful expression. Creating art for me coincides perfectly with the Joseph Campbell quote, “Follow your bliss.” It’s my joy and my bliss to enter the quiet, private sanctuary of my art room and see how every piece of art takes on a creative life all its own.
Dr Pallavi Kwatra is Medical Doctor, Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur and Spiritual Saadhak. She has 11 published books and her books, writings & digital gymnastics can be accessed at her website drpallavikwatra.com.
