We had the good fortune of connecting with Janak Narayan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Janak, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
As an artist it is easy to rely on inspiration but as an artprenuer I know that 99 percent of the success comes from ‘perspiration’ – consistency is the key. To make sure I am consistent in my work habits I follow these guidelines that was learnt from my mentors, role models and teachers
First, I work prolifically and that means getting up and going to the studio at specific hours every working day. If I am not inspired to paint, I will sketch, do research, look at art videos or even set up a new easel and start a new composition. Not being inspired is not an excuse for me. On a normal week, I have three studio time slots in a day.
Second, I do my best to work on my marketing and social media. It does not come easy for me and I feel that it takes away from my studio time, but I am aware of the importance of social media in today’s art business. I earmark certain days for that.
Last but not the least I am all about personal networking. I love to actually meet people not just in public places but enjoy one on one conversation and introducing myself. I believe people buy the artist as well as their art. I know that those connections have proved to bear fruit consistently.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
To me personally, Art is about a beautiful journey of self-discovery and a medium to articulate my inner glee. A true and passionate artist uses her artistic expression to understand herself, understand what her subconscious is trying to communicate and also connect outwardly with the beauty of the universe and nature around her. The creation of that synergy is truly integral to my work as an artist.
I remember being a creative since I was 10 years old when my mother got me the first set of paints. My parents considered art just a hobby and convinced me to take on a ‘real’ career path. I went into banking and finance for 25 years but continued to be an artist and a creative person all along. I quit banking after a health setback and went back to art school to get my BFA in painting from Indiana University. I finally made my hobby my profession. When one door closes another one opens– I was meant to follow the call of my soul.
Art is a medium of communication and my art is all about bringing joy and healing – it is simple yet powerful. I have personally been healed by art when I was going through years of pain. I want my art be cathartic to all the viewers and collector as well. As an artist, especially in today’s world my vibrant and colorful art is all about joy. The world could definitely do with some more of that!
I coin my style of art Transitional Expressionism – It is influenced most by Post-Impressionist artist and overlayed with many contemporary, abstracted artwork giving the composition a very fresh, modern feel. My art delicately straddles the twilight area between representation art and Abstract art. The duality of my compositional spectrum draws me to Gustav Klimt who along with Van Gogh and several Fauvist artist like Andre Derain have been my inspiration.
My paintings capture a mood – a certain feeling of being in the moment. That translates to my very outlook in life. I believe that we have to learn to step back and look at the big picture and not fuss over the trivial events in our lives. My brushstrokes are spontaneous and that is how I love to live my life.
Spontaneous, no impetuous. Free spirited yet grounded to reality. My personality is multifaceted just like my art. Even my abstracts are gestural but deliberate.
I paint sometimes as I see it, other times as I imagine it – but always because I am loving it…I just want to continue this forever and be appreciated for the caliber of my creations.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a gypsy spirit with a wanderlust!
I live in McKinney, a northern suburb of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. It has a beautiful thriving downtown – quaint with a lot of creatives and wineries and restaurants. I would spend a full day exploring downtown, checking out the shops, wine tasting and enjoying a languid late afternoon lunch. I am a vegetarian but very adventurous in trying out different cuisines. It could be a modern Mediterranean, Thai food or a vegan joint with uber creative menu with new and unusual flavors.
Next day put on a sun dress, sunscreen, a hat and drive a few hours to the land of Blue bonnets where we can see absolutely amazing sea of the state flower growing everywhere. Ennis is a tourist spot for blue bonnets. A picnic basket and wine for that day. End the day in our pool with jazz and cafe lights in the back yard.
Pick up the pace the next day and check out outlet mall and indulge in some retail therapy. Come home and fire up the grill in the outdoor kitchen to make skewers, salad and go out for icecream. Curl up with a movie and a lot of gossip session for sure!
Within a 2-4 hour radius we have San Antonio and Austin so I see us driving and g0ing to museums of all kinds, not just art related. I would definitely take them to President Bush Library and the JFK related museum here in downtown Dallas – there are 47 to choose from for every taste. I am a history buff and can soak in anything and thoroughly enjoy the experience.
If it is a week long trip with my bestie, there must be a concert tucked in somewhere – lots of cocktails and screaming at the top of the lungs like a teenager! A Bollywood concert would be great if someone we like is performing. Small jazz bars to explore would be fun too.
I love to cook and spending quality time with my best friend talking about our families, our memories shared and also take time to lend each other a shoulder because life is not a bed of roses for anyone.
I am new to the DFW area and I will take this opportunity to check out as many new things together with my friend.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give full credit to my dear husband for being the rock behind my quest to explore my passion for the arts.
Website: https://www.janaknarayan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janaknarayanartist
Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/Janaknarayan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanakNarayanFineArt