Anamika’s journey from architecture to abstract art wasn’t easy. The lockdown gave her career and passion a new direction. In this interview, she shares how she turned doubts and struggles into creativity, following her intuition to make her art a reality. A story that inspires and connects with anyone chasing their passion.
Can you share a bit about your background and how you transitioned from architecture to becoming a self-taught abstract artist?
Hi! My name is Anamika, and I am a self-taught intuitive abstract artist. I am from Lucknow but currently live and work from my home studio in Bangalore, India. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Architecture but soon realised it wasn’t meant for me.
I have always been creative and loved to paint since I was a child, but having a career in art felt impossible. So, I chose Architecture, thinking it would keep me connected to art. However, it somehow did the opposite, and I lost touch with painting for over five years.
The year I graduated was also when COVID hit, and the lockdown gave me the time to rethink my career path. I also reconnected with painting (without realising that I would actually make a career out of it!) After three years of uncertainty – juggling between different careers, failing at running a small business, and almost giving up painting – the universe finally listened, and I became a full-time artist!
What inspired you to start ‘The Oblivious Mind,’ and how did the name come about?
Starting ‘The Oblivious Mind’ on Instagram back in 2020 was not something that was planned or born out of inspiration. The page was merely an escape from all the career expectations and the chaos unfolding in the world at the time. It organically grew into a brand, but it will always remain a journey of my art and me growing together.
As for how the name came about, it was quite spontaneous. The word ‘Oblivion’ stuck with me for a long time after I heard it in a movie, and I named my page around it without overthinking – don’t ask me why, haha! Everybody around me loved it too, so I kept using it, and eventually it officially became my brand.
During the 2020 lockdown, many people turned to new hobbies. What was it about painting that drew you back in?
Painting was like a safe space for me to disconnect with the world but watching so many small businesses grow in the 2020 lockdown inspired me to start selling my art! So for the first time, I turned my work into little merchandise like postcards and bookmarks and began selling them.
You mentioned finding inspiration in Wassily Kandinsky’s ‘Concerning the Spiritual in Art.’ How did his work influence your artistic approach?
I have always pushed my boundaries while creating art. Interestingly, I used to be somebody who did not appreciate abstract art at all. One day, while discussing abstraction with my little sister, my perspective shifted. I realised that maybe I didn’t dislike abstract art – I simply didn’t understand it. So I decided to change that and became curious. That’s when I came across Wassily Kandinsky’s book, and it completely changed how I painted.
What stayed with me from the book was the idea that every dot, shape, and colour carries its own emotional and spiritual resonance, and how one can feel deeply connected to even the tiniest elements as you paint them.
It was incredibly liberating to focus on the process of making art rather than worrying about the outcome. Kandinsky’s ideas made me realise that art doesn’t have to follow the rules of the outside world or make sense to everyone, as long as it speaks truthfully to the artist.
This shift in perspective was transformative for me and I think my ‘Composition 1’ was the first ever artwork that I truly enjoyed creating, and from that moment on, there was no going back!
Your art is described as intuitive and abstract. Can you walk us through your creative process when starting a new piece?
I absolutely do not plan my artworks beforehand. The only thing I decide on is the colour palette and I start from there. I usually begin with pens, creating an overall framework of shapes (which again is very random) before introducing paint onto the paper.
From there, I continue to experiment with different shapes, textures, and materials without following any fixed rules. My intuition guides me, whether you call it my subconscious or the influence of my years of being in design – I keep adding one element after another as long as it feels right.
The chaos in my head turns to peace when I paint. The larger and more organic elements in my paintings are usually when I was anxious, whereas the tiny little details are the ones when I have been at peace. Knowing when to finish an artwork is also intuitive, it’s simply a feeling.
The final results are often very colourful and filled with details that viewers can get lost in. Even I myself look forward to the final results, as I never know how a piece is going to turn out, and often that sense of excitement is what keeps me creating.
Honestly, many times the process feels like pure eyeballing, and I spiral into moments of self-doubt, questioning whether my art has any importance at all. But perhaps that’s every creative’s curse – to constantly question and doubt their work, feeling like it’s never quite good enough?
Collaborating with ‘Oblivious’ for the Eyes-Off Data Summit in Dublin was a significant milestone. How did that opportunity come about?
This was my first-ever international collaboration and a pivotal moment in my art career. At the time, I was actually exploring opportunities in UI/UX, as my small business was no longer enough to cover rent. I had decided to look for a job and continue making art on the side.
While applying through LinkedIn, the CEO of ‘Oblivious’ happened to come across my profile simply because we shared a similar brand name. He connected with my work and reached out to see if I would be interested in taking on a corporate order of 100 pieces. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity!
Completing 100 handmade artworks in less than a week is impressive. What challenges did you face during this project, and how did you overcome them?
It was the most tiring yet exciting project! Apart from the obvious back aches and sleepless nights, from painting nonstop, my Instagram page started blowing up at the same time from the reels that I had been posting of my compositions. Both these opportunities were huge and I couldn’t let any one of them slide.
So I was glued to my desk, making art and simultaneously replying to every comment and message on my page. I was extremely tired but SO HAPPY! At the end of the week, I had successfully delivered 100 mini artworks and also booked commissions through Instagram for the next few months. For the first time, my art was actually paying rent and three years of hard work were finally paying off!
As a self-taught artist, what resources or practices have been most helpful in developing your skills?
I think creating consistently and staying curious about possibilities is what develops your creative skills, not just your paintings but in the way you think. Creating art is never limited to paint and canvas, it also changes you as a person.
Art should be a part of everyone’s life no matter what kind. It changes you, saves you, brings you closer to yourself. Never in my life I had thought that I would be making art for a living but I knew that I would be making art in some way.
What are your aspirations for ‘The Oblivious Mind’? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
The last couple of years have been amazing, and I am still digesting the fact that I am a full-time artist. Given my intuitive practice, I am a bit selective about collaborations so there aren’t any major ones coming up. That said, I do have new artworks that I haven’t shared yet. I’ll be releasing them soon, and I am really excited to see how they will be received.
Finally, what message do you hope to convey through your art to your audience?
For me, it’s all about the journey and process of it, be it art or your life. It’s often the little things that carry more meaning. If you are enjoying THAT, then nothing else matters. There is no point in wondering how things will turn out, so make use of what you have in the present and SIMPLY LIVE!
