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I used to teach Biology for a living- now I paint life from my own perspective. I left the classroom behind to pursue a long-held dream of becoming an artist, trading microscopes for paint brushes and lesson plans for blank canvases.
As a child, I dreamed in colours, quietly nurturing the desire to become an artist. But life, in its curious ways, led me down the path of Science- I became a Biology teacher. While the classroom gave me purpose, the canvas kept calling. With time, age, and the whisper of my true self growing louder, I chose to leave behind a rewarding career to embrace the art that once lived only in my dreams.
My father Is an ENT Surgeon, and he always hoped I would follow in his footsteps and become a Doctor. He once told me that my long, slender fingers would make me an excellent Plastic Surgeon. But within me lived an artist-quiet at first, but persistent. And , perhaps those same fingers were meant to hold brushes, not scalpels. I eventually chose to honour that inner voice.
Today, I channel that god-given gift into my art, and in doing so, I not only honor my own path, but also make my father proud.
Being a faculty member in the most prestigious school in our region, my decision of leaving the job raised eyebrows and led to a lot of speculation and even doubt.But none of it shook my resolve. I saw it as a challenge. I worked hard, learned the nuances of working on canvas. I devoted my precious time in learning and improvising ,and gave my every bit in challenging myself with trying new and advanced techniques. I became a student again and kept on paying attention to every little detail till it gave me confidence to march ahead. Learning never stops, and believe me, it always pays.
Two years later, I organised my first-ever solo exhibition with 74 framed canvas paintings and invited everyone in my contact list.
The overwhelming response gave me strength.I got huge compliments and also noticed a sense of shock in many eyes. I had also invited some known artists of the region. Their words of appreciation and feedback meant a lot .It reaffirmed my choice and inspired me to create my own website.
It also gave me courage to step out of my comfort zone-to move beyond my hometown and explore as well as participate in events across major cities.
With each event, I gain new experiences and insights. Im enjoying, growing and more convinced than ever that I made the right decision at the right time. With every canvas, every event, I evolve-not just as an artist, but as a person.
A self taught artist,I find freedom in not being bound by rules-only guided by instinct and emotion. I explore forms and styles without hesitation, letting curiosity lead the way. Hours spent with brush and color are never wasted;they cleanse my mind, nourish my heart, and restore my soul.
Once, I taught the wonders of life through the lens of a microscope, now, I capture its beauty with the stroke of a brush. I traded textbooks for canvas, and in leaving the school premises, I stepped into the dream that had quietly lived in my heart all along-to become an artist.I have embraced the gift I was born with, and in doing so, I have found a path that’s uniquely mine-one that , I believe, makes me and my loved ones proud in its own way.
About the Author
I am Shraddha Dewangan, 54, married to VS Dewangan, General Manager in Bhilai Steel Plant and mother of two sons aged 28 and 23. I have given 30 long years , both in school and college as a teacher. I resigned in 2020 from the post of a Biology teacher in pursuit of my dream.Instagram: chroma_galore_by_shraddha
Facebook: Shraddha Dewangan