On the horizon is emerging a young artist Saumya Mehra. At just 14, she has come up with a collection of paintings and photographs, ‘Promises Made Today’ which is on display at Alliance Francaise, Lodi Estate, in the city. Painting has always worked as a stress-buster for this Delhi Public School, Mathura Road student, who decided to showcase her art. Impressed by the art of the famous Italian artist Michelangelo, Saumya is trying to pursue a distinct style, which she says was developed under her art teacher Maurice Rider.
She speaks about the process and the road ahead.
It is all in the mind...
While photography is a reflection of reality, painting is much more and goes beyond what is on the surface and which naked eye can’t see. I definitely try and compose the picture in my mind before putting it on the canvas and later try and mix different colours , position the imagery carefully.
My subjects are...
I love painting flowers and landscapes. I love doing intricate work. I also love to paint Ganesha and tiger. I am now gradually working on developing my skills to paint things out of my imagination.
My journey has been...
Every compromise made has been worth it . My friends, teachers and parents often tell me that very few people in world have achieved this feat of coming up with solo exhibition at such a young age. This thought is very comforting . But yes it was never easy for me. Sometimes, too hard to deal with paintings and studies together. Missing out on curricular activities was the most painful experience and biggest sacrifice I have made.
I desperately wanted to be a part of fun activities in school but painting always demanded time. I felt low sometimes but never gave up and finally my efforts have paid off.
