Pen, paper, patience–tips for creative success from three IAF artists
In this photo essay from Nehru Centre in Mumbai, we showcase more artworks and creator insights at the India Art Festival.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 870 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
Art can offer an effective pathway for creative entrepreneurs by channeling their passion into a fulfilling endeavour. Exhibitions and festivals play a key role here in terms of getting visibility, connections and sales.
In this photo essay, three artists share insights on what art means to them and how their styles have evolved. They also exhibit at events like the India Art Festival (IAF), which is held across four cities each year (see our coverage of IAF’s earlier editions from 2022 onwards here).
Based in Mumbai, Milu Chitrakar Gupta has an MBA and is a freelance photographer and artist. The self-taught artist specialises in line art. “I try and present various forms such as abstract, faces, viewpoints, and personalities in my work,” she tells YourStory.
Anna Kurian is a post-graduate in economics and worked in the corporate sector for about 10 years, till she switched to art during her motherhood. “I have been painting since 2010 across mediums like oil, watercolor, charcoal and pen. My main focus is to bring out the beauty, power and the undertone of menace that is a bull,” she describes.
A graduate from NIFT, Bangalore, Kanika Kumar is an artist and fashion designer based in Mumbai. “My works explore the art in the movement of bubbles and water drops along with a lot of texturing, florals, portraits, and verbiage,” she explains.
Riddhi Mehta (L), Milu Chitrakar Gupta (R)
Meaning of art
For Kurian, art is about discipline, perseverance and practice. “You have to keep at it, otherwise you will slide back. When you have a good painting in your hand, it is akin to magic. The joy is pure and sharp,” she describes.
“Art for me is freedom of language. Through art, I speak in fluidity of drops, bold words, and depth of human faces, especially the eyes,” Kumar says.
Gupta describes herself as a COVID-born artist, since art helped her find some peace in the tough pandemic times. “Art is a journey where sometimes you fail and other times you amaze yourself by your own work! When the final piece emerges after an emotional journey, it gives a sense of fulfilment and creative satisfaction,” she affirms.
Kanika Kumar
Style and genre
Kumar’s style blends fluidity and emotion, where fashion meets fine art. “I am deeply inspired by the delicate movement of bubbles, the silent rhythm of falling water drops, and the intricate layers of texture,” she says, explaining the storytelling in her artworks that are rooted in design, yet unbound by rules.
“My art is 3Ps – it is a journey of pen, paper and patience. It requires lots of patience,” Gupta says, describing her line art.
Kurian is predominantly a knife artist. “I like bright colours. I like drama. There is a bit of a dark edge to my paintings, so the theme of bulls fits in well there,” she says.
Anna Kurian
Festival experience
“The organisers of IAF were brilliant. Footfall was crazy, and the appreciation was overwhelming too,” Gupta enthuses. Her artworks are priced from Rs 10,000 upward. But she also observes that the large number of booths was confusing to viewers, especially by the time they reached the higher floors.
Kurian’s works are priced at around Rs 50,000 for a 7.5 square-foot painting. “My bulls have usually been fairly well-liked at art fests and exhibitions,” she proudly says.
“The experience at IAF Mumbai was truly one of the best I have had to date. I created mini-canvas art pieces featuring empowering slogans, and they sparked interest across all ages," Kumar recalls.
Many people, especially children, eagerly approached the art and touched the bubbles, truly engaging with the realistic aspect of the piece. "It felt incredible to witness such genuine connection,” she says with pride. Her works are priced from Rs 1,000 to Rs 40,000.
Tips and advice
All three artists generously share advice and insights for aspiring artists. For example, Kurain suggests that there is no easy way to succeed in art – one has to keep at it and be ready for the long haul.
“Don’t underestimate yourself and your work according to how many artworks you sell. Keep creating art as there is no limit to your imagination in the art world,” Gupta advises.
Exhibitions like IAF allow artists to meet lots of fellow creators. “Hearing their comments and reviews will only help us to improve,” she adds.
It is always important to remain open to genuine feedback. “I believe in listening to my heart, staying true to my vision, and continuously striving to improve and grow,” Kumar affirms.
“The key is to stay persistent, embrace learning, and keep thriving in the process,” she signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs were taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at India Art Festival Mumbai 2025.)