Dhruba Das

Bio for Website: I vaguely remember my first experience with art. I was in pre-KG and had an art exam the next day. I remember my mother having me practice drawing and coloring a hand-fan repeatedly. It is my first memory related to art. I went to the exam hall armed with my pencils, eraser, and a small box of pastel colors. Alas! Our teacher wanted us to draw an aeroplane. I decided not to draw an aeroplane. It was too complicated, and my mum did not teach me how to draw one. So, I drew a hand-fan and flunked the exam. My mom was not happy with my lack of imagination and creative abilities. Soon after this incident, we moved to another house. We did not have our own house, and we were renting. Our new neighbor’s eighteen-year-old was a fine arts student. I became his first student at the age of five. From that early age, until I turned 21, I trained informally, exploring different techniques and mediums. I only had two art teachers and will always be indebted to them. I never pursued formal education in art. Despite my deep interest in fine arts, I couldn’t convince my mother that art could be a viable career path. I pursued Sociology, a decision that shaped much of my academic journey. However, art always stayed on my side. It became more than just a skill or profession—it became my sanctuary, a place where I could retreat and express myself without the pressures of expectation or livelihood. During my grad school journey, when things became grueling, I found respite in art. As I look back now, I am grateful for the path I took. Not making art my career allowed it to remain a pure, unpressured space for personal expression.

Materials and Techniques: I use a variety of materials. I am often drawn to watercolor and acrylics. However, I also use ink and gouache to create pieces.
In 2020, I started my journey in printmaking (linoprint).

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/easelninkbydhruba/