Today we’d like to introduce you to Shweta Matai
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Mine is the tale of the proverbial wayfarer – Hailing originally from Assam (Northeast India), having lived in 3 continents and at least a dozen cities later, here we are, happily ensconced in this city of angels we now so fondly call ‘HOME.’
I suppose I’m officially at that age when hindsight is a beautiful thing and I can talk about having learned from my experiences, trauma, joy and successes – even though the only thing permanent in our lives has been change, the constants in my life that have ensured survival is the brain of a polyglot that speaks 5-6 languages & picks up more on our travels and stays that has allowed me to integrate and not feel like an outsider, the ability to see beauty and color in the everyday mundane, this incredible genetic inheritance from my grandfather to be able to paint effortlessly and the courage to adapt to aforementioned constant change.
At this stage, being that I’m possibly older and by default a little wiser, I find that painting gives me purpose – the challenge of tackling various subjects, colors and textures on canvas keeps me curious to learn more, engaged and determined to push myself to do more!
I consider myself the lucky grandchild who somehow ended up with a major chunk of all this creative inheritance – my grandfather (a doctor by profession but with so much raw, untapped creative potential!) used to paint and I learned by sitting on his lap, doodling alongside his easel on his canvasses at times too – I am blessed to receive this creative gift and he would be so happy to see what I have done with this gift now.
Mostly self-taught, I did receive basic formal training in oils. People often ask me how I do it and my answer is mostly I don’t know….it comes naturally, it’s like an involuntary action, something I just do; its like second nature to me.
My inspiration comes from nature and color and my favorite quote is by Claude Monet when he says:
“Everyone discusses my art and pretends to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it is simply necessary to love!”
This captures the essence of why I paint – it’s to record the fleeting moment of joy at the sight of nature and color- there is beauty everywhere and I am on a mission to take it from “reel” to “real-like” one oil painting at a time!
I share snippets of my life with everyone on canvas – Be it at a complete sold-out exhibition at age 19 or as a full-fledged adult now… if I have ever sold, gifted or donated my paintings to you, thank you for sharing my life’s experiences – Afterall every picture does tell a story!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
• I can tell a story on canvas, but if you ask me to talk about it or promote my content it’s another story altogether – having talent is just part of the parcel, I feel like to get exposure and have your work reach the right audience needs efficient story-telling and content creation capabilities, and this is a bit of work in progress for me.
• There is so much talent out there, its mesmerizing and awe inspiring (intimidating too at times honestly!) – it’s also very easy to get lost, suffer an uncurable case of imposter syndrome and very difficult to avoid comparison. Just when you think you have created your own masterpiece, you look around to see a dozen other magnificent pieces of work (that can serve as both a humbling experience and give you the much-needed boost to try harder and do better!)
• I didn’t go to school to learn art – I lucked out in the talent department and had some basic training but other than that its just my work that I hope speaks for itself – I find that it is sometimes difficult to convince people about my work without the backing of formal credentials – sometimes sheer talent just isn’t enough, but there are always exceptions to the rule so I’m hoping that somewhere, somehow, someone is watching and liking my work 😊
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
• Painting is an inherent genetic skill – self-taught with formal training in oils.
• Artistic style transitioning between traditional and contemporary realism.
• Unique storytelling specializing in oil paint on canvas.
• Taking scenes from “reel” to “real-like” with skillful rendering of impasto and alla prima, inspired by the great masters and the Dutch golden age of painting.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
• It takes time (sometimes a whole lot of time!) for good things to happen, so allow yourself to grow as you nurture your skill – I’ve learned every step of the way through trials, tribulations, wins, losses!
• Its very easy to get wrapped up in the frenzy of social media, the desire for immediate success, get stuck in a rut of negative feedback while not focusing on the good advise that you have received – it’s important to prioritize and focus on why we do what we do and be cognizant of the fact that we cannot control everything – just be and continue doing the best you can and always ensure good quality, it usually does work out positively in the end.
• I personally always try to improve and learn, stay curious. There are so many things I don’t know and so much I want to know, I just keep trying and reading and looking for the next challenge – You live once, I think we all need to make it count so that you may be remembered in spirit with the fondest memories of the knowledge and wisdom you left behind as a legacy 😊
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/FineartbyShwetaMatai
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shwetamatai_artist
- Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/fineartbyshwetamatai
