Interview with Amita Chudasama and Miri Chudasama by Adam P. Kennedy
Amita Chudasama
Where were you born and raised?
Born in “Mahuva” and brought up in “Bhavnagar” – truly cultural and arty towns of Gujarat in India.
Where are you living now?
Hyderabad, India.
When did you start painting?
Since my childhood I was attracted to “Rangoli”, “Floral designs” & “Colors” especially seeing after my great grandfather’s Zardosi (embroidery done with gold threads) work. My mother and grandfather always appreciated my art skills. I have really enjoyed various shades of painting in my thirty years of art life.
Was there someone or something that inspired you to paint?
The nature & designs, feelings & expressions, lines & shades – and most important aspiration to sketch my observations inspired me a lot.
Did painting come naturally?
I believe so.
Did you take a lot of art classes?
I hardly went under any art training or classes. Before I joined fine arts of college; art has completely resided in my heart but I needed to learn more techniques & practices of painting. I learned about art styles & movement during my three years training in city based Fine Arts College.
Why have you chosen coffee as your painting medium?
This is not the first time when we (My sister & I) are using different pigments for painting. To paint aged carvings, we used to use clay and oil color with brunt umber shades. But we always missed liveliness. We did many trials achieve liveliness & natural shades. We tried tea even. But coffee worked better than anything else.
Do you use specific brands or strengths of coffee to achieve your desired colors and effects?
Generally we use “Nescafe – classic”.
When working with the coffee do you ever use the coffee grounds?
Rarely.
What are your inspirations for you subjects in your paintings?
Indian culture, flora & fauna, historical places & ruins and feelings & expressions!!
How long have you been working in the coffee medium. Do you find the coffee to be light fast or do you need to use a sealant on the final paintings?
Since last eight to ten years, we are painting with coffee. Coffee is a medium which really light fast.
How long typically does it take for you to paint one of your pieces?
Technically it should take a day to complete small piece of coffee art. But we spent at least a week to complete one.
Do you work with live models, or photographs when doing your figure paintings?
Both.
Do you have a favorite subject you love to paint?
Indian culture is our favorite subject. We admire “Rajasthan”, “Kashmir” and “Kutch (Gujarat)” very much. We are found of “Portraits”. It’s our wish that we travel through the world (especially Africa, Asia, South America and Europe), meet people and have glimpse of their native culture and portray them with coffee.
How do you balance the business end of painting with the creative?
Till date we have painted or portrayed what we wanted to. In future if we need to balance anything we will surely find out creativeness in business.
Who are your favorite painters, either current or deceased?
Picaaso, Turner and Natu Bhai Parikh.
What advice would you give to young artists?
Always follow your passion and desires while creating your art.
Do you think that today’s preteens, teens are exposed enough to the world of art?
In exhibition sometime we meet parents who come with their children so that they can learn art. But those are rare case.
Finally, is there any topic that you would like to comment on?
All my words are for “Coffee Paintings”. Coffee paintings are nice, warm, aromatic & revolutionary!! Coffee gives unique effects which any other medium can hardly give. Coffee painting is natural and truly eco-friendly art. Coffee painting really needs attention in world of art.
Mira Chudasama
Where were you born and raised?
Born in “Mahuva” and brought up in “Bhavnagar” – truly cultural and arty towns of Gujarat, India.
Where are you living now?
Hyderabad, India.
When did you start painting?
Since childhood I was involved in multiple forms of art including painting and classical dance. When I was of seven, my sister taught me “How to paint” first time. I can hardly forget those days when my brother Jayesh and I used to attend various art competitions and reserve “First” and “Second” prizes.
Was there someone or something that inspired you to paint?
My Sister Amita & Brother Jayesh always inspired me to paint. By subject, Portraits!! Capturing emotions, feelings, expressions and sentiments on canvas inspired me a lot.
Did painting come naturally?
Absolutely.
Did you take a lot of art classes?
Only from my sister!
Why have you chosen coffee as your painting medium?
This is not the first time when we (My sister & I) are using different pigments for painting. To paint aged carvings, we used to use clay and oil color with brunt umber shades. But we always missed liveliness. We did many trials achieve liveliness & natural shades. We tried tea even. But coffee worked better than anything else.
Do you use specific brands or strengths of coffee to achieve your desired colors and effects?
We use “Nescafe – classic”.
When working with the coffee do you ever use the coffee grounds?
Rarely.
What are your inspirations for you subjects in your paintings?
Feelings, Sentiments, Expressions and Emotions.
How long have you been working in the coffee medium. Do you find the coffee to be light fast or do you need to use a sealant on the final paintings?
Since last eight to ten years, we are painting with coffee. Coffee is a medium which really light fast.
How long typically does it take for you to paint one of your pieces?
Around a week, sometime even month!
Do you work with live models, or photographs when doing your figure paintings?
Both.
Do you have a favorite subject you love to paint?
Indian culture is our favorite subject. We admire “Rajasthan”, “Kashmir” and “Kutch (Gujarat)” very much. We are found of “Portraits”. It’s our wish that we travel through the world (especially Africa, Asia, South America and Europe), meet people and have glimpse of their native culture and portray them with coffee.
How do you balance the business end of painting with the creative?
Most of the time we have painted or portrayed what we wanted to!
Who are your favorite painters, either current or deceased?
Van Gogh.
What advice would you give to young artists?
Paint what you love!!
Do you think that today’s preteens, teens are exposed enough to the world of art?
Not exactly!!
Finally, is there any topic that you would like to comment on?
Coffee is everywhere. Everyone starts life with coffee. Hanging coffee is novelty. I really wish that the coffee painting gets its heights and be known in every corner of world.