Dr. Swapnaja's art journey ✨

My name is Dr. Swapnaja A. Mohite.

I'm a marine biologist working in College of Fisheries for last 28 years, Ratnagiri.

I am currently doing research on marine sponges and their associated microorganisms.

I hope to find bioactive molecules from sponges that could be used as medicines against human pathogens.

I took up scuba diving due to my passion for sea and underwater world.  

    Art is my second passion. I love to experiment with my mediums like acrylics, oil colours, 

resin, polymer clay and alcohol inks.

When you first started to learn abstract painting/ acrylic painting/

resin art/ alcohol ink art/ polymer clay art?

 I was doing paintings since I was 20-22 years old.

But then I had to leave this as I was persuing my education in the field of Fishery science.

I again took up my passion at the age of 38-40 years.

It was difficult to get the necessary materials in the small city of Ratnagiri.

So I had to depend on my relatives from Mumbai-Pune to get the required materials or

had to get them during my visits to these cities.

    My works are abstract as I love to challange the viewers to interprete my paintings. 

    I started working in resin from 2017-2018.

That time people couldn't believe that resin could be used for art works.

So I had to literally coax the resin manufacturers to send me samples of resin.

    Alcohol inks I started at the same time.

There were very few artists then, working in Alcohol inks.

Indian brands of AI were just coming up.

I worked with some of these as their Featured Artist.

Things which you love apart from abstract painting/ acrylic painting/

resin art/ alcohol ink art/ polymer clay art?

 Apart from these, I love scuba diving and cooking.

I have my  Instagram page dedicated to "Swapnaja's Food Trails".

I work with some chefs to create our traditional and authentic recipies.

Molecular gastronomy is another aspect of food science that I work in. 

   I love travelling, meeting people and reading.

 Any tips for the people who would like to start polymer art? 

 This is a good material to work with.

The possibilities of creating unique artworks are plenty here.

You can make art jewellery, installations and even mix media paintings/art works with polymer clay.

And it is very soothing and helps to calm your mind, too.

 So do give this a try!

Any tips for the people who would like to start alcohol ink art?

Now the inks are at affordable prices.

There are so many techniques but you can create your own style.

Alcohol inks allow you the freedom to paint in your style or you can wipe the synthetic paper

and redo all over again.

That's what I love about this medium.

So don't be afraid to experiment and create your own signature style.

Any tips for the people who would like to start resin art?

Precautions to be taken while doing resin art.

Resin is a chemical after all. It always affect the body in long run.

But it is also a fabulous medium to work with.

You have to use it with lots of precautions like respiratory mask, hand gloves,

working in a well ventilated room, etc.

Also check the brand for less VOS, pot life and curing time.

I also do not recommend resin for children as they can be affected by the fumes. 

 Any tips for the people who would like to start abstract painting?

Believe in your own ideas and follow them.

Abstract painting is not easy as some may think.

You have to have an abstract mind that can see things in different perspective.

So never hesitate to put your ideas on canvas.

Plan your colour palette in advance and work on your idea.

 Any tips for the people who would like to start acraylic painting?

 Acrylic colours come in heavy body and soft body due to their viscosity.

Lower viscosity means that soft body paints are suited to more fluid, continuous brush work.

So first check the viscosity of your paints.

For beginners, soft bodied paints work beautifully as these can be used for medium to firm brushes,

yeild more easily to the brush strokes.

These are also good for fluid paintings.

Acrylic colours come in paste or fluid forms.

Check out the drying time and use retarder if you want to extend the drying time.

What are the basic items needed to learn abstract painting/ acrylic painting/

resin art/ alcohol ink art/ polymer clay art for beginners?

Know your medium first.

Every medium requires a specific substrate to work on.

Eg. alcohol inks work best on non porous substrates like yupo, synthetic paper, tiles, acrylic sheets etc.

Acrylics work best on canvas, preped wood, tiles etc.

So before starting any art form, you need to decide and prep your substrate.

Polymer clay are moldable or you can create intricate patterns by mixing and layering the clays.

So you need: the substrate, brushes, containers to mix your medium, varnishes and the medium that you want to work in.

You don't need elaborate paraphernalia to work with.

I generally use eco friendly containers and glasses to mix my colours/resins and I reuse them again and again.

 A bit about your products

I have participated in many art exhibitions in India.

One of my paintings was selected for Survival Art Festival at CAM museum, Naples,Italy.

I do acrylic, resin and oil paintings as commissioned art works.

Many of these are on display in hotel lobbies and houses of my clients.

Generally the range from 12x18 inches to 7x6 feet sizes.

  I have also done murals in siporex blocks as per the ideas of my clients.

I have used acrylics and resin on these sculptures. 

  Making Art jewellery in resin and polymer clay is my favourite time pass.

So I make pendants, earrings and bangles using dry flowers/leaves in resin and polymer clay. 

   I also make artworks in alcohol inks that are framed or covered in resin for display. 

What's your opinion on small business?

Small business have been trying to create their mark in the local markets and

 their presence on the social media is making it possible to go global.

There is emmence talent in and around us.

  We need to acknowledge that.

For me "Go local" is the motto. 

You're top 5 favourite small business

@yash_creations_art_shop

@resincult

@resin_art_material

@s_cubecreations2021

@silver.lioness.shop

The process of you taking orders, payment, packing &

shipping for your products.

Clients send me their oders through whatsapp/ Instagram / FB messenger

as I don't have website yet.

The payment can be done via Google pay.

The total amount payable are calculated as per the shipping charges and

 I personally do the packing and shipping.

I have my facebook and instagram ( @swapnajamohite  & @samohite ) pages.

Want to be featured in the blog post??? 

Contact me on  Instagram  @yash_creations_art_shop or 

 Gmail  for more information :)

If you like my work you can Buy Me A Coffee