Swati Pasari is a young and talented artist with a distinctive style of painting. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented artist in an exclusive interview about her art and her future plans. Excerpts.

Have you always wanted to be an artist?

Swati Pasari- Yes. Being an artist was a lifelong passion. Since childhood I dabbled with colours as it gave me solace and inner pace – it allowed me to seek myself out. But yes a conscious decision as taken when I returned post my studies and started working for business – I realised art and not business was my calling.

When did you realize your latent love and passion for the art of painting?

Swati Pasari- Yes a conscious decision as taken when I returned post my studies and started working for business – I realised art and not business was my calling.

You hail from a business family. How did your parents react to your decision of becoming an artist? Were they supportive?

Swati Pasari- Parents were a little skeptical to begin with – we have a well-established business and they obviously wanted me to join there. But I was not keen as I realised pursuing art can make me only happy.

What are the biggest challenges that you have faced as an artist?

Swati Pasari- Being an artist in a traditional well established Marwari family is a challenging task. The biggest challenge according to me was convincing my own that I was in a worthwhile profession, pursuing my passion and I will achieve in this field in years to come,

How would you define “painting”?

Swati Pasari- Painting is a symphony of colours and a music to one’s soul.

You also have been organizing exhibitions. What are the challenges of organizing such exhibitions?

Swati Pasari- Luckily I have been invited to most of the exhibitions to participate as an artist – so once people started recognizing and appreciating my art my stage was set and I faced no such difficulties. But yes it is a big task to organize exhibition – there are many challenges like getting the right audience /buyers etc.

People hardly have the time to stand and look. In such a situation, what difficulties does an artist face?

Swati Pasari- Art is a story on its own – even in this hectic world it cools one down and allows one to introspect within ones soul to get in touch with his/her unknown self. So artist according to me faces no difficulty – rather he or she helps people in difficulty.

Since digital medium is trending so much, do you want to take your painting to the digital medium so that it can reach to wider number of people?

Swati Pasari- We already have a very strong presence on the digital media and further plan to expand it.

What is your advice to new artists?

Swati Pasari- Pursue your passion and do not give up.

What are your future plans?

Swati Pasari- To enrich myself more as an artist and to take part in more and more shows – to use my art to help people in need globally through CSR and other similar activities.

Wishing Swati Pasari all the best for her future endeavours!!