“Passion is what defines everyone, and painting is something which does that for me, watercolour to be exact,” says Puja Kumar.
Puja Kumar is an accomplished Indian watercolorist, in addition to being a dedicated educator. Now based in Faridabad (NCR), India, she co-founded the female artists’ collective Opus Kala Sanyojan and works as the Country Head (India, East) for Fabriano InAquerello.
The artist found solace in painting, particularly in watercolor. Flowers have always fascinated her, and she loves to capture their essence in her paintings, using bright and intense colors to express her moods and feelings. She uses analogous colors in her work as she believes, “Analogues colours give you the sense of balance and serenity. It communicates a message of tranquillity.” The artist’s passion for art blossomed from a young age but was overshadowed by her academic and career pursuits. However, she believed that it is never too late to pursue what really excites you and she decided to rekindle her artistic side. In addition, she spent six months studying watercolor lessons under the tutelage of Tarak Shankar and Praween Karmakar, two of India’s celebrated watercolor artists.
Since then, Puja has been making waves in the art world. She has been featured in a wide variety of national and international group exhibits. Her work has been featured in several notable exhibitions, including the 2016 Spandan International Art Festival, Silent Grandeur at AIFACS in New Delhi, the 2017 Spectrum at Kohinoor Continental in Mumbai, and the 2017 International Artist Confest: Artist Way to World Peace at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She has also been a guest artist at a number of prestigious international art exhibitions and has attended a number of artist camps, seminars, and residential watercolor courses.
In 2022, Puja co-founded Opus Kala Sanyojan, a platform for women artists to showcase their work and connect with each other. The organization has organized several art residential camps for women artists in various locations, including Kashmir and Khajuraho. Puja’s work has been recognized and appreciated by many, and she continues to be a source of inspiration for aspiring artists. Puja Kumar is a gifted artist who has found her calling in watercolor. Her passion for art and her dedication to her craft have earned her a place in the hearts of art lovers around the world. The artist’s inspiring story speaks about it’s never too late to go for what you love and pursue what really excites you.
