Shilpa Dalal has been trained in Commercial Art but majorly is a self-taught artist. She has been painting for several years in various mediums, and has had several art exhibitions, in India and abroad. She has also published a book ti- tled “Bombay! Watercolours by Shilpa Dalal”. These were all plein air paintings done by her, on-site all-over Bombay.
Shilpa is also a glass mosaic artist. She has been working in this medium for several years, too, and works mainly on orders for this work. After a break from painting for a few years, she is back with impasto painting in oils, and cold wax and oil painting – a new style for her, and hence a new challenge.
Shilpa has been a group and solo exhibitor at various event and exhibitions in Mumbai. British Airways Lounge at Mumbai International Airport, Artland at Kalaghoda Mumbai and India Art Festival are some of the well known places where Shilpa has been an exhibitor. She has also authored a book by name Bombay ! Watercolours.
Unveiling our rendezvous with Shilpa Dalal
A. How many years you have been in the field of art and why?
I have been in the field of art for over 30 years or more. After studying Commercial Art at Nirmala Niketan, I didn’t work as I got married, and my husband’s job was such that we had to keep moving from country to country. So, using my Commercial Art knowledge, I taught myself to paint in all different kinds of mediums.
B. What media you have been using so far?
I have used various mediums, from watercolours to dry pastels and charcoal, to oil and acrylic paints, and have also done a few digital paintings. I have had exhibitions of my works in all these different mediums except digital paintings.
C. What media you are planning to explore in the future?
Right now, I am exploring the medium of using oil colours with cold wax, and I am also working in the impasto technique with oil colours on oil paper. Working on oil paper has been new for me. The impasto technique is very freeing as I try to paint using few strokes. This retains the freshness of the painting, and brings joy not only to the artist, but also to the viewer.
D. What kind of uniqueness you spotlight using your art?
The uniqueness I wish to spotlight is that even though I am working on a much smaller canvas than previous, the paintings should have a magnetic quality that draws the viewer into the painting and makes them feel that they are in that place. They should also feel the joy of being transported into a different place.
Thanks Giving
The E Today is thankful to Shilpa Dalal for her valuable time and even to Mr. Hiral Shah, The Chief Editor; who is currently promoting artist from every corner of India and, looking at creating a much needed platform to showcase every artist of the nation.