An interview with artist Nishanth Hiremath
I have published interviews with a few artists and craft-persons in my blog. While posting about artist Nishanth I’m feeling extremely happy and proud. Though we both studied in the same engineering college, I never knew about his interest towards arts.After fifteen years , we met through social media, and I was amazed to see his works in watercolor ,which he shared on FB. I keep observing his works he shares, and notice the improvement. Though he is working in IT industry , which is known for its demanding time schedule, the interest and dedication he is showing towards arts reminds me the quote by the great scientist Albert Einstein :
I
have seen most of your works shared on fb. Which are the mediums you tried? And
which is the preferred medium and why?
Nishanth: I don’t have any plans for my future art journey. It is clear to me that I would like to spend more and more time on this. To further enhance my watercolor painting skills, I have started
to invest my time these days to build a strong foundation by doing pencil
sketches.Though I have been carrying sketchbook wherever I go, due to my work
schedule,I get very few opportunities to sketch. At least I don’t have
a reason to say, I don’t have tools to sketch. Carrying a sketchbook wherever I
go is helping me to squeeze few mins of sketching every now and then.
“True art is characterized by the irresistible urge in the creative artist“
Nishanth’s works include watercolor paintings, cartoon, pencil sketching and zentangle. An artist is never satisfied with the learning. While interviewing I not only came to know about his passion towards painting also real Karmayogi approach towards the passion .
I cannot post all his works here, sharing a few which I liked the most.Rest you can view by visiting the links provided in this post.
Thank you Nishanth for sharing about your journey in the world of art,
Please share about
yourself with our readers(Background, education, family etc)
yourself with our readers(Background, education, family etc)
Nishanth : My Name is Nishant S Hiremath. I am native of Belgaum, Karnataka and currently residing in Bangalore, Karnataka since 1996. I
have been working in IT industry and currently
have been working in IT industry and currently
working for Nokia Networks.
I
have done Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and communication from KLE
College of Engineering and Technology, affiliated to Dharwad, University. I am extremely happily married and blessed
with two beautiful and cute daughters.
I
have done Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and communication from KLE
College of Engineering and Technology, affiliated to Dharwad, University. I am extremely happily married and blessed
with two beautiful and cute daughters.
 |
| Nishanth |
Now tell us how did you make
an entry into world of arts? Have you undergone any formal training in arts?
an entry into world of arts? Have you undergone any formal training in arts?
Nishanth:I don’t hold any degree in Arts and neither undergone any formal/organized
training in art or related field. I have been teaching myself the art by
observing works of others, reading books and experiment on my own. Till now, I
have attended 2 days workshops with couple of renowned watercolor artists.
training in art or related field. I have been teaching myself the art by
observing works of others, reading books and experiment on my own. Till now, I
have attended 2 days workshops with couple of renowned watercolor artists.
This hobby started in the summer of year 2012. While
my family was away for summer vacations to our hometown, I had some free time.
I thought, let me put this time for constructive use. I, googled for
my family was away for summer vacations to our hometown, I had some free time.
I thought, let me put this time for constructive use. I, googled for
“How to
find what you love to do” and came across an article
find what you love to do” and came across an article
I spend around couple of undistracted hours trying out the method
mentioned in the article and was very lucky to learn my interest for
drawing/painting. Though I was bit surprised but it started to make some sense.
Immediately I reached to a paper and pencil, did a quick portrait of one of a
Bollywood movie star. The outcome was decent in next few days I kept on working on few
more rough portraits. Since then, I
started to take baby steps, first very small and infrequent ones, and of late little
bigger and frequent ones on daily basis. Check out following Facebook post:
mentioned in the article and was very lucky to learn my interest for
drawing/painting. Though I was bit surprised but it started to make some sense.
Immediately I reached to a paper and pencil, did a quick portrait of one of a
Bollywood movie star. The outcome was decent in next few days I kept on working on few
more rough portraits. Since then, I
started to take baby steps, first very small and infrequent ones, and of late little
bigger and frequent ones on daily basis. Check out following Facebook post:
 |
| Watercolor |
How
does your family support you to pursue your hobbies?
does your family support you to pursue your hobbies?
Nishanth: My family has been
a big motivation and has been very supportive in pursuing my hobby.
a big motivation and has been very supportive in pursuing my hobby.
They are my
first audience with whom I share my works and get instant feedback. Since they
first audience with whom I share my works and get instant feedback. Since they
are also equally interested in art, it has been easy for me to interact and
involve them in my hobby. I feel fortunate and lucky to have them in my life.
involve them in my hobby. I feel fortunate and lucky to have them in my life.
What
are the sources for your paintings?
are the sources for your paintings?
Nishanth :I mostly paint from
photos both hard and soft copies which I come across in newspaper and on
internet. I use them as reference to paint but never forget to mention photo
credit, if I happen to post them on Facebook. I mostly avoid replicating someone’s work as I think, it would be less of a challenge and very minimal
learning. However, sometime I do try to replicate, just to get a feel of it. I
have been looking to venture in plein air painting, however I get overwhelmed
when I face nature and find it daunting task.
photos both hard and soft copies which I come across in newspaper and on
internet. I use them as reference to paint but never forget to mention photo
credit, if I happen to post them on Facebook. I mostly avoid replicating someone’s work as I think, it would be less of a challenge and very minimal
learning. However, sometime I do try to replicate, just to get a feel of it. I
have been looking to venture in plein air painting, however I get overwhelmed
when I face nature and find it daunting task.
 |
| Watercolor |
I
have seen most of your works shared on fb. Which are the mediums you tried? And
which is the preferred medium and why?
Nishanth:I work only in
watercolor medium and I enjoy pencil sketching. I have written a Facebook post
–
m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206801620253822&id=1075205135&set=a.10206033707376480.1073741827.1075205135 where in I have detailed my journey with watercolor painting, since I
started to paint on almost daily basis.
watercolor medium and I enjoy pencil sketching. I have written a Facebook post
–
m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206801620253822&id=1075205135&set=a.10206033707376480.1073741827.1075205135 where in I have detailed my journey with watercolor painting, since I
started to paint on almost daily basis.
 |
| Pencil sketching |
Once
you start painting have you ever come across artists’ block? If so how do you
overcome that?
you start painting have you ever come across artists’ block? If so how do you
overcome that?
Nishanth :Yes, I believe it is
part of the journey. I have created a support system in place wherein
part of the journey. I have created a support system in place wherein
Facebook is the pivotal point. I keep looking at others work and watch videos on youtube
and keep
and keep
reading books on watercolors with an aim to keep myself constantly motivated
and evolving.
and evolving.
 |
| Watercolor painting |
When you are working ,time is the main constraint in the path of
creativity. Even I have
creativity. Even I have
experienced that. Sometimes many creative ideas die
because of time. Have you ever faced such
because of time. Have you ever faced such
situation? What are the other
challenges you have faced/ facing in this journey of arts?
challenges you have faced/ facing in this journey of arts?
Nishanth :Over the years, I have made many changes in my life
to eliminate/minimize things which hog time and add less/nil value. For e.g.
Cable TV, whatsapp groups. This has helped me to devote more and time to the
things I love and matter most. I believe, it is not just enough to spend time
on an activity (For e.g. Painting) as we need to bring in changes in other
areas of life, so that we can
to eliminate/minimize things which hog time and add less/nil value. For e.g.
Cable TV, whatsapp groups. This has helped me to devote more and time to the
things I love and matter most. I believe, it is not just enough to spend time
on an activity (For e.g. Painting) as we need to bring in changes in other
areas of life, so that we can
spend quality time on the activity. For e.g. it
is important to be physically and mentally healthy to be able to paint,
otherwise our emotions and internal state start to show up in the outcome.
is important to be physically and mentally healthy to be able to paint,
otherwise our emotions and internal state start to show up in the outcome.
Since I work in IT industry, my work schedule is
very unforgiving and demanding. Sometimes, post my work schedule i.e. at the
end of the day, I would be stressed and left with no energy. To overcome this,
every morning, I follow a routine, which helps me to be fit and maintain my
energy levels at the end of the day, so that I spare time and spare quality
time to my hobby. Over several
very unforgiving and demanding. Sometimes, post my work schedule i.e. at the
end of the day, I would be stressed and left with no energy. To overcome this,
every morning, I follow a routine, which helps me to be fit and maintain my
energy levels at the end of the day, so that I spare time and spare quality
time to my hobby. Over several
years, www.zenhabits.net has been my biggest inspiration to create time tested good habits and
I’m really grateful to Leo Babauta.
I’m really grateful to Leo Babauta.
Among the paintings you have painted which is/are your favourites(s)? and the also share the reason for that.
Nishanth :Over the years, I have learnt one thing, we cannot
predict or control an outcome of a painting. Yes, we can put in efforts,
possess required skill set, however there is no guarantee of
predict or control an outcome of a painting. Yes, we can put in efforts,
possess required skill set, however there is no guarantee of
the final outcome.
So I have stopped been attached to the outcome and have been focusing only my effort.
So I have stopped been attached to the outcome and have been focusing only my effort.
 |
| Pencil sketching |
Please share some advice
to the aspiring artists, especially to those who are balancing between
to the aspiring artists, especially to those who are balancing between
work and
hobbies.
hobbies.
I don’t consider myself as a accomplished artist
who is authorized to advice. I can
only share my experience. To nurture the interest it is
very important to be able to spend time on daily basis by creating the environment
and putting together support system to place, to sustain the hobby. I highly recommend to ready my Facebook post
who is authorized to advice. I can
only share my experience. To nurture the interest it is
very important to be able to spend time on daily basis by creating the environment
and putting together support system to place, to sustain the hobby. I highly recommend to ready my Facebook post
m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206801620253822&id=1075205135&set=a.10206033707376480.1073741827.1075205135 where
in, I have shared my experiences on my artistic journey. Hope you find it
helpful.
in, I have shared my experiences on my artistic journey. Hope you find it
helpful.
 |
| Cartoon |
 |
| Zentangle |
What
are your future plans in the journey of arts?
are your future plans in the journey of arts?
Nishanth: I don’t have any plans for my future art journey. It is clear to me that I would like to spend more and more time on this. To further enhance my watercolor painting skills, I have started
to invest my time these days to build a strong foundation by doing pencil
sketches.Though I have been carrying sketchbook wherever I go, due to my work
schedule,I get very few opportunities to sketch. At least I don’t have
a reason to say, I don’t have tools to sketch. Carrying a sketchbook wherever I
go is helping me to squeeze few mins of sketching every now and then.
Apart from painting and
sketching what are your other hobbies?
sketching what are your other hobbies?
Nishanth:Running and Yoga/Stretching. If someone ask me if
you retire today, how you spend your time? My response would be Run, Yoga,
Paint and repeat again and again.
you retire today, how you spend your time? My response would be Run, Yoga,
Paint and repeat again and again.
Please share your contact
details( FB/twitter/website/ contact number) where my interested
details( FB/twitter/website/ contact number) where my interested
readers can
reach you.
reach you.
I can be reached via following communication channels:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nishant.hiremath
Email – nishanthiremath@gmail.com
Mobile – +919731395395
All the best Nishanth. Though you are concentrating more towards efforts, your approach and passion towards learning arts will definitely give you success.
Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,
-Ranjana
Thank you for sharing this interview. I enjoyed seeing Nishanth's art and also hearing about his work/life balance. Do you happen to know, does the painting entitled 'watercolour' (water and trees) show Kochi? Just wondered.
Kind Regards
Jane ((UK)
Many many thanks Jane !! If you are referring to the watercolor painting that is above, then the location is Kolhapur, Maharashtra state, India
Nice interview, Great to saw Nishant Hiremath works.
Thank you so much Rupam 🙂
WOW So inspiring to read and hats off to your Ranjana in featuring such a talented person!
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Thank you Dr Sonia !!
Good going Nishant.Thanks for sharing the link to find how to find what u love to do.I m sure it is going to help everyone.All the best
Thank you Amit 🙂 Yes that link is assuming.
Nishant indeed it very nice to see your interview. The words are yours for sure. I am sure this would definitely inspire a few in your immediate circle.
Thanks to Ranjana who is doing such a unique job of identifying budding talent and shall keep visiting her blogs periodically to find of about any new finds !
Nilesh Hiremath
Thank you Nilesh da for constant support and encouragment !!
Lovely paintings and sketching by Nishant !! It is always good to have a hobby which lets you explore the creative part of life. I know how hectic IT job is as I have been there working for 10-13 hrs. a day with only few hrs on weekends, that too not always, to pursue my hobbies.
Thank you Preeti 🙂 With current pace of life, having a hobby is no more luxury but a necessity and makes life worth living 🙂
Nishanth, I am following you on Facebook for quite sometime now….I see you from moving strength to strength. Hats off to your passion. Keep moving. Wish you all the best.
Thank you Rajashekar for the warm and kind words 🙂
wow .. Nice to see your art work .. After watching your first water color art, I said that this hidden talent of your's was never known to me .. You said let it be hidden only.. Thanks to Ranju in exposing you to the world of art lovers .. Keep up the great art work and would love to see you succeed in this industry too .. Good luck bro ..
Thank you Prashant for kind and encouraging words !!!
wow .. Nice to see your art work .. After watching your first water color art, I said that this hidden talent of your's was never known to me .. You said let it be hidden only.. Thanks to Ranju in exposing you to the world of art lovers .. Keep up the great art work and would love to see you succeed in this industry too .. Good luck bro ..
Ranjana first of all thank you for featuring such talented people.
Nishanth you are a very talented artist. It is very inspiring to read your interview. I know how difficult it is for a working person to nurture or pursue a hobby. I faced it when I was working.
I like the way you have adjusted and found time for your creativity.
All the best for your future. Keep it up.
Thank you so much Shailja 🙂