Artist Statement
I strive to depict the beautiful friendship between Water and Color. My work is a figurative expression of life and nature, intended to evoke a visceral response. Through my paintings, I strive to push the boundaries of watercolor: 1. to remove its underdog stigma in the art world, 2. to stretch and explore the potential of the medium, and 3. because it brings me joy; and I wish to transmit that joy to my audiences.
Every composition begins with a plan of where to place shapes, values, and colors. But, it truly comes to life only when the brush, loaded with paint, hits the watery surface of the paper. Then, the pigment floats in the water and settles where it wills, creating the beautiful granulation texture that is unique to this medium. Unlike oils and acrylics, which can be controlled and painted over multiple times, watercolor cannot and has a mind of its own. So, an aspiring painter can either accept this lack of control and enjoy the journey, or call it “too hard” and decide to give up. Everyday, I choose to accept and enjoy.
Bio
Supriya is formally trained as an art director with a B.A. in Advertising from Southern Methodist University. She left ad agency life over two decades ago to pursue freelance graphic design and, then, transitioned ultimately to painting. She now works exclusively in watercolor and has been painting professionally and exhibiting her art since 2017.
Although Supriya experiments with various painting methodologies and styles, her work is primarily figurative impressionism. Modern figurative art retains strong references to the real world and the human figure, yet pushes the boundaries of realism, stopping short of pure abstraction. Currently, she also paints in a style she calls “Contemporary-Retro” that stems from her graphic design background. Focusing on harmonizing unusual colors and making every element into a flat shape, these paintings are contemporary, but with a fun, retro vibe.
Through her paintings, Supriya also strives to push the boundaries of the medium: 1. to remove its underdog stigma in the art world, 2. to stretch and explore its potential, and 3. because it brings her joy, and she wishes to transmit that joy to her audiences. The recurring themes found in her work stem from her Indian heritage, nature, travels, and everyday life in the ‘weird’ city of Austin, TX.
In 2021, Supriya published her first book Reflections on Art, Life, and Italy, which features her paintings and sketches of Italy, along with reflections on her art process and on life. In addition to her painting, Supriya serves on the City of Sunset Valley’s Arts Commission and is a member of various art societies. Her Austin-themed prints are carried by Prima Dora and Prima Dora, Georgetown.