Her dream comes true

Even as a young child, she had this urge to become an artist especially when she used to see her mother paint. With other academic pursuits catching up with her, she was however constrained to push the artist in her to the inner realms of the subconscious. But even after acquiring a degree in Business Management and becoming director of a flourishing industry, the mother's brush has continued to inspire her to chase a dream....

And for the past three years, Shiffali has been working with single-minded determination to have an exhibition of her own. This effort has now borne fruit and she is all set to introduce her art to connoisseurs in the Capital at her first solo show entitled ``The Feminine Age'' to be held at the India Habitat Centre from June 8 to 10. ``This exhibition is really an ode to my mother,'' she says.

Her father, Mr. Ravi Wadhawan, who is now the Chairman of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), has ably stepped into the shoes of this young artist's mother. ``He has not only given me a lot of encouragement but is also my severest critic,'' Shiffali admits. Though she has brought alive her art with her own hands, sensibilities and design styles inspired by real art, she often does abstracts also.

A product of St. Mary's School, Allahabad, Shiffali has always been inspired by people around her. ``I get inspired to paint when I see a lot of people,'' she says. ``Watching my mother paint since childhood is an image that has always stayed with me.''

Shiffali's oils are further enhanced with sculpted and charcoal strokes. Capturing the power of women in her frames is something that is dear to her heart. ``I am also inspired by courageous women and my paintings reflect their strength of character in full measure,'' she says, admitting that she paints spontaneously. ``I do reflect my beliefs through my paintings,'' she points out.

This young artist manages to capture pathos in a variety of frames. Sensitive to her surroundings, she often tries to reflect the beliefs and attitudes of people through her art. ``My art portrays every mood of life: happiness, exuberance, innocence... And I do that through people who are my vehicles to portray various moods.''

A dreamer, Shiffali is also a keen business professional and heads a full team of professionals in an electronics company of which she is the director. While all through the day, she works with her head, she is back to pursuing her real passion in the evening. ``My heart and soul are in my paintings and I want to be a full-time artist,'' she says.

By K. Kannan

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