Meet Amita Bhakta

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amita Bhakta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amita , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

All living things inherit some level of resilience powers – life will do its best to survive. Even a tiny seedling falls onto the ground with plans to grow into a giant tree.

Similarly, at the age of 14, I was transplanted and brought to the United States from India by my parents. I had to accept and adapt to the huge change of leaving the only home I knew for a different way of life. From a young age, along with my family, I learned that to survive and flourish we had to stick together and work incredibly hard. I grew up fast seeing my parents struggle to make a living but having made it through to where we are today makes me immensely proud. Now at the age of 63, I carry that sense of resilience with much appreciation.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

After working in hospitality, in a 24/7 role for nearly 40 years, I am enjoying my second career – working in the studio. About 12 twelve years ago I eased out of our hotel business and put more time into expressing what is within me. I use paint and clay as my chosen mediums of work to create paintings and sculptures. It’s been a gratifying journey that’s left me humbled.
About a sixth-century textbook for artists called Chitrasutra. It states that Art is not just for worldly pleasures but is intended to lead one into spiritual experiences. Goosebumps were raised on my arms when I read this shlok, this clearly show how art was valued in Indic culture. Vidya according to our scriptures and sages is a knowledge which teaches you to connect with your within, The Divine which resides in All of us and also for spiritual and mental well being. So, All the knowledge such as music, dance, natya, all visual arts are true Vidya. Rest of knowledge such as math, science, technology, healthcare,….. is important for you physical well being and to sustain good life on earth.
Four years ago, I put down my visual interpretations of Sanskrit text onto canvases to create a body of work called “Moments of Radiance”. My hope was to help my community understand Indian American culture. I took inspirational lines from our scriptures such as Upanishad, Veda, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita, and literature of Kalidas: Megaduta, Abhigyan Shakuntam,…etc and created paintings and sculptures. This journey of diving into Sanskrit language to find the wisdom of pearls and then creating the visual interpretation involves lots of contemplation and then to express it in visual form has impacted me greatly. I no longer create for the sake of it creating, whatever I make has to come from deep within. Before I sign off my work I place it in our sitting area and truly see it that does it bring the joy which was within me when I painted it then only I will keep it. Because it should deserves the space it will occupies on this earth since we all have finite space on this earth. “Moments of Radiance” was received with such warmth and the entire experience was so very uplifting.
As I expand my portfolio I am also working to evolve fine fashion such as sarees out of my paintings and other wearable art in conjunction with “Moments of Radiance”. So from fine literature to fine art to fine fashion is a new charted course for me.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Words that invigorates dedication toward my craft which results into deep sense of belonging to All and senses within me gives me the environment to grow and to let go with ease.

Literature: my love for words, language, and storytelling has been highly influential in sparking my creativity. Reading treasured literature stimulates my imagination and helps me work in the visual field. It can provide a source of creativity and always brings freshness to my work.

Dedication: I like to give my 110% for the project I take on, I try to create with originality and authenticity into all my work. For it complete dedication to the creative process which is necessary and in these moments I find my true joy.

Community: I remember when travelled in India in 2008 to Ajanta Caves which dates back to second century there was a board at the entrance which is inscribed since then on my heart. “They came, they gave and in giving they felt no pain” Artist and artisan who work in those caves for centuries generation after generation have not written their names anywhere they gave all what they had selflessly. I felt so connected to these words. When I began my second career me and my husband had decided all the proceed generated from my art we will donate to various charities in return I have gain the deep sense of belonging to the community no just where I live but wherever I show my work I feel the connection. Because that Essence which resides is All of us.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m currently exhibiting “Moments of Radiance” (inspired by Sanskrit texts) with multiple art organizations in Alabama and would love to showcase my work outside of my state. It’s been a mission of mine to promote the culture of India and help my fellow Americans get better understanding of the Indian Americans who live in their community.

My dream has been to tandem with other Indian American artists to form an exhibition and display our artwork at galleries across the country. I started this effort back in 2022 with the “Darshan: Visions of India” exhibit where I gathered a collection of art from 22 Indian American artists and last year we have now integrated with the group with non profit Indian American Artist Association. I would love for this organization to grow and connect Indian American Artists nationwide.

Recently I had few sarees, scarves, and bags printed from my painting. Want to do more exhibits where I can showcase my wearables along with my paintings. Getting very positive responses from my community and social media. I am looking to collaborate who can help me to take these ideas and create quality yet affordable wearables.

I’m always thrilled to connect with anyone interested in my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artbyamita.com
• Instagram: @artbyamita2020
• Facebook: Art by Amita Bhakta
• Youtube: Amita Bhakta

Image Credits

Here are the titles for the photographs:
1. One Creator=One Family
2. Divinity Within
3. Sari modeled from the painting
4. Fashion show of my sarees.
5. Ma, Me and Sis (Stoneware Clay Sculpture)
6. Family Ties (Stoneware Clay Sculpture)
7. Shakuntala’s Farewell
8. Krishna’s Blessings