We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ishanya Singhal. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ishanya below.
Ishanya , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I’ve always made a concerted effort to immerse myself in a wide array of activities, cultures, and subjects, as I find that new experiences are a fountain of inspiration for fresh ideas. The environment around me plays a crucial role in this creative journey; hence, I make it a point to surround myself with creative works and individuals. Whether it’s books that transport me to another realm, art that provokes thought, music that stirs emotions, or conversations with fellow creatives, each element acts as a spark, igniting my own creativity.
Writing and journaling hold a special place in my routine. They are not just activities for me but essential practices that help me navigate the bustling city of ideas in my mind. Every day, I encounter thousands of ideas, fleeting and vivid, each clamoring for attention. By jotting them down, I not only manage this torrent of creativity but also create a repository of inspiration I can return to later. This process is akin to mapping the stars in my personal galaxy of thoughts, making sense of the chaos, and finding patterns in the constellations of my imagination. It’s through this meticulous process of exploration and documentation that I keep the wellspring of my creativity flowing, ever brimming with potential and possibilities.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, captivated by the art of weaving intricate tales and intricately connecting them to my artworks, or vice versa. This fascination with narrative construction has been a constant companion throughout my life, guiding my creative journey. As I grew older, I delved deeper into my Indian culture and heritage, an exploration that significantly influenced my art. I began creating artworks that not only reflected my aesthetic but also narrated crucial aspects of my heritage learning. This blend of personal exploration and cultural storytelling enriched my creative identity.
During my time at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), my focus shifted slightly, channeling my efforts into expressing stories of human emotions through various art mediums. This exploration allowed me to delve into the universal experiences of joy, sorrow, love, and loss, using my art as a bridge to connect with others on a deeply emotional level.
Lately, my journey has taken a new turn as I’ve embarked on the exciting challenge of building my own brand. This endeavor has led me to experiment with color theory, an area that fascinates me both for its psychological impact and its aesthetic appeal. As I navigate this phase, my primary goal is to narrow down my vision, refining my creative expression to establish a distinct brand language. This process is about more than just selecting colors or techniques; it’s about infusing my work with a coherent identity that captures the essence of my stories and the depth of my heritage. It’s a journey of discovery, one that requires me to balance my diverse interests with a focused approach, ultimately allowing me to create a brand that is truly reflective of who I am as a creator and storyteller.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First, the relentless pursuit of perfection and the understanding that trusting the process is paramount. This quest often led me down paths of self-doubt and frustration, but it taught me the importance of patience and resilience. Learning to embrace the imperfections in my work and understanding that each step, each mistake, was a crucial part of my growth, was transformative. Never to be disheartened by the pursuit of perfection. Trust in the process, embrace the lessons learned from each setback, and remember that progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Second, the insatiable hunger for learning played a critical role in my development. I made it a point to attend every class I could, immerse myself in various mediums, and seize every opportunity to expand my knowledge. More importantly, I learned the value of meeting and learning from others. Each person I met offered a unique perspective, an invaluable lesson that contributed to my growth. To those early in their journey, I say: be voracious in your quest for knowledge. Attend workshops, engage in conversations, and never pass up an opportunity to learn from someone else. The breadth of knowledge you gain will be your greatest asset.
Lastly, the realization that learning is a never-ending journey has been a guiding principle in my life. There’s always a new technique to master, a new perspective to consider, or a new trend to understand. This constant evolution keeps the journey exciting and ensures that my work remains relevant and fresh. I would say that the day you stop learning is the day you stop growing. Stay curious, remain open to new experiences, and never assume you know enough. Embrace the perpetual nature of learning as both a challenge and an opportunity.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Focus.
Since childhood, my fascination with expressing creativity has known no bounds. My journey through the world of art has been marked by an insatiable curiosity for multiple mediums and techniques. This diverse interest led me to pursue a B.F.A. in Fibers at SCAD, where my passion only deepened. I found myself enamored with everything the field had to offer – from weaving to painting, print designing, dyeing, screen printing, to embroidery. Each technique was a new language through which I could articulate my creativity, and I fell in love with them all.
This myriad of interests, however, has become a double-edged sword. The more techniques I explored, the more my head buzzed with the chaos of possibilities. Now, I find myself at a crossroads, struggling to distill this vast ocean of creativity into a focused stream. The challenge isn’t just about narrowing down my choice of technique, medium, or concept; it’s about forging a brand language that encapsulates my vision and voice. This task feels monumental, as it requires not just a selection of what aligns best with my artistic identity, but also the courage to let go of the myriad paths I won’t pursue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ishanya.art/
- Instagram: @ishanya.art
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ishanyasinghal
