Kajal Zaveri’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kajal Zaveri. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Kajal, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Losing myself and finding myself again most often happens in the studio. When a canvas is raw and the first marks go down, time stretches, brush in hand, music low, I move through layers and color until the work starts to breathe. There’s something almost meditative about the ritual of mixing paint, laying thick strokes, scraping back, and rediscovering an image through accident and intention. In those hours I’m nowhere else but the painting; the rest of the world fades and I come back clearer, calmer, and more myself.
I also lose time teaching. Working with children, especially kids of all abilities, has a way of slowing everything down and sharpening what truly matters. Their fearless curiosity, unexpected solutions, and pure joy in making remind me why I make art in the first place, and they bring me back to a simpler, braver version of myself.
Outside of my studio, taking long walks through a quiet park or along the Hudson river recenter me. New York city’s energy, the rhythm of footsteps, a sudden slice of light on water: those small moments refill my well and return me to a steadier pace. Painting, teaching, and these wandering, attentive moments are the three ways I lose track of time and always rediscover who I am.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a New York–based artist, originally from India, working in Abstract Realism with a focus on expressive landscapes. Inspired by nature’s energy, resilience, and tranquility, I use layered paint, textured brushstrokes, and bold palettes to capture fleeting impressions and memories that evoke reflection and connection. Largely self-taught, my work bridges the influences of Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism, resulting in a style that is both personal and universal. My paintings have been exhibited internationally, featured in Elle Décor, Hyperallergic, and New Visionary Magazine, and showcased at major art fairs including Art Market San Francisco, Spectrum Miami, and Red Dot Miami. Beyond my studio, I lead inclusive art workshops and collaborations with museums and NGOs, and I am currently developing new series inspired by both the resilience of New York City and the meditative stillness of natural landscapes.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationships that have shaped me most go back to my childhood in India, where I grew up in a very loving home. My parents believed in me from the very beginning; my mom encouraging me with her warmth and quiet strength, saving even my earliest sketches as if they were treasures, and my dad giving me the confidence to dream big, trust my creativity and giving me the wings to fly. That foundation made me feel seen and supported in ways that have carried through my life. Later, my husband has been my greatest champion, celebrating every milestone and encouraging me to step into opportunities I might have hesitated to take on my own, including my first big show. Their belief in me, at different stages of my life, has not only shaped how I see myself but also given me the courage to keep creating and growing.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me lessons that success alone never could. It showed me the depth of resilience I didn’t know I had, and the importance of patience, humility, and empathy. During difficult times, I learned to sit with uncertainty, to keep creating even when the outcome wasn’t clear, and to value the process itself rather than only the result. Success often celebrates the finished moment, but suffering reminds you of the inner strength it takes to reach it and it gives you a deeper compassion for others walking their own difficult paths. Those experiences have made my art more honest and layered, because they come from a place of lived struggle as well as joy.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the art world tells itself is that success is purely about talent or recognition. While skill and creativity matter, the reality is that persistence, relationships, and resilience are just as important if not more so. There’s also an illusion that artists must conform to trends or predefined “markets” to be valued, when in truth, authenticity and dedication to one’s own voice are what create lasting impact. The industry can make it feel like validation comes only from shows, sales, or awards, but the most meaningful growth often happens quietly, through consistent practice, experimentation, and connection with your audience.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is the essence of connection, experience, and presence. It’s the love of family, the joy of creating and sharing art, and the lessons learned through both challenges and triumphs. Hopefully, it’s also the moments where I’ve been able to make a difference like working and teaching art to children of all abilities, helping them build confidence, donating through my art for various social causes, and the meaningful relationships I’ve been fortunate to form along the way. Stripped of titles and belongings, what endures is the impact we leave through compassion, creativity, and connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kajalzaveri.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.kajalzaveri/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kajal-zaveri/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KajalZaveriArt/

Image Credits
Sandip Parrekh