Kavita Arvind’s work ranges from commissioned works for individuals or organisations with a leaning towards the social perspective to art for children’s literature.
After a decade of juggling deadlines and being juggled in local trains working for mainstream television and later teaching basic design at her Alma mater, she is now breathing in lung fulls of turpentine and linseed oil in her little home studio in Bangalore. Her areas of interest are social and gender communication.
She loves cinema and bakes a killer muffin!
You can see more of her work at Chidiya Udd.

Why are you an artist?
Because it gives me such a kick every morning to get up and look at my canvas and the riot of colours on it! Because what I create is evocative, even poignant and transports so many people to the most snug memories of childhood making them want to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate. Being an artist is liberating, I am working for myself, doing something I love, and I have an audience…

Did you attend school for fine art or design?
The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. I studied film there. The first year and a half at NID were exhaustive studies into basic design elements and art. We were also introduced to various materials ranging from clay to wood.
After I specialised in Communication Design with Film and Video  Communication as my stream of study, I increasingly found my voice as a person and my work showed leanings towards social communication. I made a couple of documentaries, one on the issue of teenage pregnancy and the other on the sorry fact that women’s work does not count because they do not count.

You have a distinct style of illustration. How long did it take you to develop your style?
I did not consciously try and develop any style. I am just putting my brushes to canvas and having fun. I have drawn and painted ever since I can remember. I doodle when I think, I doodle when I listen. All my notebooks and sketchbooks are strewn with drawings.

Were there any particular role models for you when you grew up?
I grew up in the 70’s – 80’s in a modest but moderately emancipated household. There were no role models, only people with bad hair!
But my father’s love of cinema has rubbed off on me. And I think the films that we watched then have definitely contributed to the work I do or admire. I later watched most of these films again as part of my studies and realised the significance of those lazy Sunday afternoons. Some of the films that I can recall are Roman Holiday, Lawrence of Arabia, The Great Escape, Meghe Dhaka Tara, Goopi Gayen Bagha Bayen, Piravi among others. Documentaries such as Father, Son and Holy War; Ram ke Naam, by Anand Patwardhan, City of Photos by Nishtha Jain have all been amazingly inspiring works.

Who was the most influential personality on your career in Illustrations?
I especially love David Shannon’s work.

Was there any time when you wanted to quit Illustrations?
I have just got started and I know this is what I want to do. No question of calling it quits.

Are many advertising agencies getting illustrations made these days? Do you work more with agencies or publishers?
I rarely do illustration work and only take up projects that have a strong social connect. I am focusing more on art.

Have you considered turning your illustrations into toys?
Only the ones I make out of play-doh for my two year old!
There is a thought here though. I would love to see more dolls and toys that look Indian and are age appropriate, and as little as possible of blond, anorexic, fair skinned imports. Though there have been several propositions to turn my art into art for clothes, t-shirts, toys and other products, this is not something I am considering at the moment. I would like to pursue art in its pure form for now.

Any other Indian Illustrators who you admire?
Atanu Roy, Priya Kurien, Kavita Singh Kale to name a few.

Do you have any favorite fellow illustrators or resources relating to your fields?
And an incredibly super talented bunch of young graduates from NID such as Abhishek Singh, Vijayakumar Arumugam, SIddharth Tripathi, Priyankar Gupta.

You have such a wide experience as a top working professional. What advice do you have foraspiring creative professionals? Would you advise them to take on Illustration as a career option? Is it paying well enough?
I really have no advice. I think we should all try and do what it takes to stay happy, purposeful and centered and especially not listen to advice from any ‘well meaning’ folks.

Mac or PC?
My two hands thank you (yes! I am that much of a dinosaur!)

Who would you like to take out for dinner?
Definitely Murakami and all his cats.

What’s on your iPod?
Some seriously mindless ‘dhinchak’ trance and foot pumping music so I can run my 5kms a day and not collapse trying.