Shriya: I’m no influencer but an artist!

Since childhood, I have been inclined toward art. It was the only thing that sought my peace. I always wanted to do something in art. However, I did not know how to walk on that path. So, I did my graduation in interior design but being an artistic person, the feeling of creating something all the time was not leaving my heart. In my college days, my friends and I learned different art forms from tribal artists, and I chose Warli painting. Little did I know it would help me set my career.

After my graduation, I was working as an interior designer until covid engulfed us. Nevertheless, the pandemic turned out to be the best blessing. During covid, one of my friends suggested that I teach Warli Painting. I never thought of giving it a shot but he told me that he would be starting a similar company. The idea intrigued me a lot so I started teaching and posting reels with descriptions on Instagram. After interacting with a bunch of people online and doing some paid workshops, I wanted to become a full-time artist. Leaving my 9-5 job to become a full-time artist was a tough call and it ultimately served me with a lot of questions from my family. But I was substantial in my decision. There were ups and downs but my determination was fixed. Today, It brings me ultimate satisfaction to know that I’ve taught more than 1700 people in these two years. The only thing I was doing wrong was when I started posting reels, I realized that I was shifting toward becoming an Instagram influencer. However, within no time I acknowledged that I’m an artist and eventually stopped acting like an influencer.

With time, I taught people all over the world and even took classes at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. Along with this, my Warli painting was sold to Google office, UK. Now whenever I look back, I feel glad that I made the right decision. Initially, it was hard but nothing can break you if you choose to make you!