We recently had the chance to connect with Durba Sen and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Durba, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My normal day usually starts with a couple of cups of black Darjeeling tea and a workout, which could be yoga, walks or heading to the gym. I head into my studio around noon, where I start with creating the work list for the day. To get myself into the creative zone, I always, without fail, begin with solving the Wordle and play the games section in the New York Times. This helps me focus and prepares me to either tackle my emails or all the administrative work that awaits me.
The studio receives the afternoon light, which, I have realized, helps me in my art making. I am in my creative zone in the afternoons for a few hours, which often extends to late evenings. Breaks, when needed are for meals and catching the news, often simultaneously. I have no fixed daily work hours, but I do spend a good amount of time in my studio, even when I am not painting. I watch art videos, catch up on reading, or doodle and try new styles. Weekend mornings and Friday evenings are productively spent as an arts educator.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a self taught artist. I began my journey as a painter by approaching a local artist in India to teach me the basics of oil painting, painting landscapes and traditional realism portraits and figures. Visiting art galleries, art fairs, museums and artists’ open studios opened my eyes to the vast span of art, its different genres and styles. I realized pretty soon that I naturally gravitated towards abstract paintings on these visits. I love bold, vivid colors and one will find this fascination with colors in all my paintings and art. I would go so far to state that bold, vivid color is my trademark. My love of color stems from growing up in India, where festivals, textiles, weddings and even the spices, all reflected the riot of colors. My mom would take me to the botanical gardens every winter, and I was fascinated by the wide variety of unusual colors of the dahlias and the roses.
My paintings are abstract in nature spanning abstract expressionism, geometric abstraction and fauvism styles. My paintings are dramatic and intense in their color palette and are usually painted in acrylics at present; though I still paint periodically in oils. I still attend workshops and visit art fairs and museums, as I view my creative artistic journey as ever developing and evolving. I have an instinct for colors that go well together and my inspiration is often are the colors and patterns on clothing that people wear.
At present, I am exploring fusing my two styles of abstract expressionism and geometric abstraction, and I am having fun experimenting with it.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I view myself as a confident, fun, enthusiastic and creative person, receptive to new ideas, and honestly, I give credit to my spouse and my marriage for that. I have been encouraged to delve back into art, learn the craft and take it up as a profession. My spouse has shouldered responsibilities so as to give me the space and time to hone my craft, visit galleries and art events. Though never shy, I was initially hesitant to engage in conversation at art receptions with strangers. I was encouraged by my spouse to overcome this hesistancy, and though I am still uncomfortable, I am much better at small talk and holding conversations. He has been ever encouraging and supportive and proud of my accomplishments and has helped me overcome my hurdles to how I see myself today. I grew up taking a few art lessons as a child, which was abruptly stopped. I give full credit to my spouse for being adamant and persistent, that I take up painting again. My life at present is full of creative energy and joy which finds reflection in my art and keeps me fulfilled.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Believe in yourself, and what you’re capable of. Be kind to yourself and trust your instincts, they will not fail you. And hang in there, girl; life will work out and you will realize your dreams. Life brings forth a lot of struggles and roadblocks. It’s what you do with these setbacks that defines you and makes you stronger and more resilient. I am proud to say, looking back, that I have made the best of all the struggles and pain, My pursuing art was actively stopped by certain people for their own personal gain, when I was growing up. Having confided in my spouse, he helped me overcome my hesitancy to restart my journey in art and actively supported me through it. Thus, I have emerged stronger, more confident and more determined in pursuing my passion in art.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe completely in giving a hundred percent to a project or a painting. There are times when a painting has been sitting on my easel for a while, because I need to walk away from it and return to it with a different outlook or a new perspective. I try not to abandon it or call it done, unless I am completely pleased with the outcome. Sometimes it takes frustratingly long as I put it aside so that I can work on other projects. But I will come back to it, perhaps even after six months to a year to complete it. Persistence and total satisfaction in my artworks are my cornerstones, before the paintings are presented as complete.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
My art studio is my haven. It looks out into nature with birds chirping and squirrels scampering by. I feel most at peace when I’m in my studio. The constant buzz of nature soothes my soul and helps me zone into my work. Oftentimes one will find me in my studio amidst the warmth of the afternoon sun, soaking in the peaceful moments, whether I am working or taking a break.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.durbasen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durbasenarts
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/durba-sen-93b139133
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durbasenarts
Image Credits
Berkeley Giclee and Self
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