Quitting‌ ‌a‌ ‌successful‌ ‌corporate‌ ‌job‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌an‌ ‌artist.

“Stop chasing goals and start chasing dreams”, Shanki Suman. There comes a moment in everyone’s life when one has to choose a career – a path to lead to one’s dream destination. Sometimes the career choice is as per one’s dream and sometimes as per one’s life priorities. In my case, I was always good at painting, but back in my time, art was not treated as a career option. It was treated as a hobby. Therefore, I then chose books over brush and career stability over passion.

I studied Biotech, which was one of the booming industries at that time. I did pretty well, but the arts kept coming back to me. I ignored my calling - chose an MBA after Biotech and then joined ITC. With the first job came everything that one dreams of, money and recognition. Everything was going well, but somehow, I always felt a void.

During my maternity break, I got an opportunity to rethink my priorities. In the same period, I came across an old bookmarker that I had made 12 years back, and this was a happy reminder of what I dreamt of. I simply bought some colors and started painting again. I realized the moment I held a brush in my hand – I felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. This is when I decided that it is time to stop chasing goals and start chasing dreams.

As a kid, I had done basic training in Madhubani art (also known as Mithila art). Madhubani painting is an old art – it is done using fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, etc. It mostly is made of natural dyes and pigments and is characterized by eye-catching geometrical patterns. Making these paintings requires diligent practice and time. I started painting Madhubani art with a slightly modern twist at a very small scale, but I received appreciation from people around me. I, then, realized times have changed. Suddenly, I realized there is so much I can do with a brush in my hand! I felt happy and empowered.

Starting‌ ‌my‌ ‌own‌ ‌art‌ ‌business,‌ ‌a‌ ‌success.

I started my entrepreneurial journey very soon after the realization. In the beginning, I got a few orders from friends and family. Then, the words spread, and I got more work. I make Madhubani-patterned painting on everything you can think of – from sarees to books to mats, bags, scarves, everything. I also started learning Mandala art and enrolled myself in an institution to learn this art formally. Apart from this, I teach art to kids. Some kids come for private classes, some attend workshops and sessions I organize at a bigger scale in partnership with some art centres. The money is stable. The orders are consistent. I am not making big moolah right now, but I am quite content. My MBA degree is helping me manage my customers, while my calling for art is helping me provide them with the best product. I am at a happy place in my life. What more can I ask for in one lifetime?