Meet Viji Venkataguru | Dot art Mandala Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Viji Venkataguru and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Viji, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
The most important thing I have done as a parent is to let go of control. Most times control comes from a place of fear, past trauma, insecurity and anxiety . These emotions are normally projected on immediate family members, when anything goes wrong or goes in a way that we didn’t anticipate it would. While adults around us cope our projections differently, the children are most impacted. Even though most kids, due to the love and connection they have with the parents, adapt to their parents’ emotions, on a long run, this becomes a part of their personality.
By trying not to control EVERY situation and navigating them with TRUST , RATIONAL THINKING, PATENCE and COMMUNICATION (as appropriate) , we HANDLE a situation, rather than controlling it.
It has taken me a while to realize, how much of a positive impact this causes in a child , especially building their confidence and most of all , how they treat others , when things don’t work the way they want to. In all honesty, I have not perfected it,but practicing and making progress.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I began my career in IT , in 1998 back in India and moved to the US (Long island,NY) in 2010 . This move happened after several lost opportunities , due to timing, gender biased decisions etc., but at the end it happened at the right time, when I was handpicked by the management that I worked for , that set me apart from others. This proved to myself that sometimes things dont happen to you , they happen for you . The wait was worth it and ever since its been a upward hill . The journey has been tough with some setbacks, storms and pain along the way , like dealing with physical and mental health issues in the family , but all that gave me the endurance to become independent and strong. Today living in this free country after 15+ years , I am in a leadership role, in a highly mission oriented company . The lessons I have along the way , goes back to how I want to raise my kids by trying NOT to control the situations around you. You embody it , with acceptance , patience and COMMUNICATE .At the end of the day , most people operate out of fear and anxiety .The solution to it is not avoidance or anger , but trust and patience. However there are times, when neither works , that is when you learn to LET GO. Either way , do not try to control any outcome.
What I want the world to know is pain is universal , so is love and connection. Find love , by doing what you do with a sense of purpose .To me the very thing that raised me – “fear and shame” is the very same thing that helped me find my purpose .By not fighting it , I overcame them, by finding the “whys”. It made me discover my potential as a person, mom, as a leader to help others succeed. Today Mental health awareness is my top focus and hence those whys are transformed into form of art from my heart. I had an opportunity to talk about my Mandala art at MHA Dallas parlor talk during May-Mental health awareness month,(Pic attached with the crew). My main goal is bring awareness of this therapeutic and meditative art with every chance I receive. I also showcase them, sell them and always donate the proceeds of my artwork to some cause. I wish to find more art collectors that can help me contribute more.
The art works I create is a reflection of these patterns that tell a story, like “Do not chase the butterflies , mend your garden and the butterflies will come” or “You are Unique like a petal” . What I have learned along the way is rightly said by Maya Angelou’s quote that says “Be a rainbow is someone’s cloud “.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My itinerary would start of with a morning trip to a farmers market . Being a resident of Mckinney , I particularly love the McKinney farmer’s market , due to the location in the beautiful town of McKinney. The day would certainly be planned with visiting locally owned ,restaurants in the area, downtown McKinney that has got so much local flavors with art and other flavors.
I love early morning walks and stroll. Not to mention the parks and trails of Mckinney. Bonnie Wenk park is my favorite place in the town and I would fit that in depending on the time of the year , but definitely a morning walk.
If its summer – definitely to the Crepe Myrtle trails in Mckinney – to show my love of the Crepe Myrtles.

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?
My immediate response is “The Art club of McKinney” , its president Kathryn Ikle and its board of directors . This art club has been the reason , I had the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and start presenting my art to public. After interacting with some talented artists in the club, I realized that art is personal and unique. No matter how saturated the dot art Mandala work on the social media sites may seem , every artist brings a uniqueness and their energy in their creation.
Today, I show my mandala art in various shows and speak about it with passion, reflecting my purpose at every chance I get.

Website: https://www.positivedotting.com

Instagram: @positivedotting

Linkedin: Viji Venkataguru

Facebook: @positivedotting – FB page

Other: TIK TOK @positivedotting
second IG – @find.your.center