Why I Create: How Art Saves Us

Seven or eight years ago, I was going through one of the hardest phases of my life. Even though I had a great job, loving friends, and a supportive family, something inside me was shrinking. My self-esteem was at its lowest, weighed down by voices and negativity that made my confidence shrink and made me doubt myself.

And then, one random day, I stumbled upon an illustration by Amanda Oleander. It showed a girl hugging herself back in the mirror — a simple yet powerful reminder to take care of yourself.

That piece of art saved me.

It struck me so deeply because it expressed something I couldn’t find the words for: that what I needed most at that time was to love myself. I was in India back then and wasn’t aware she shipped there, so I created my own version. It wasn’t perfect, but it became a turning point. I stuck that painting on my bedroom wall, and every day it reminded me to take care of myself and do the things that made me happy.

That’s when I realized: art can say what words can’t. Sometimes, it even saves us.
(P.S. I did buy Amanda Oleander's same print last year :) )

Why I Started Creating

I began using art as a way to express myself and to feel seen. Even though I didn’t know how to draw human figures at first, I would create not-so-perfect versions and paste them on my walls. Sometimes I would write quotes and turn them into little artistic pieces. My room walls were filled with these hand-drawn posters — a patchwork of feelings, thoughts, and reminders that mattered to me. But I wanted more — I wanted to capture moments that photos often miss.

Slowly, I started learning. YouTube tutorials, online courses, hours of practice — I kept pushing myself to get better. And with every drawing, I felt more connected to life’s fleeting moments.

When Art Became Healing

One of the most meaningful experiences came when my grandmother passed away. I was in the US at the time and couldn’t go back to India because of visa issues. I felt helpless.  I wanted to hug her one last time, but I didn’t know how to express that pain.

So I wrote her a poem. And then I drew an illustration of myself hugging her. You can see that illustration as the cover of this blog — it’s one of the most meaningful pieces I’ve ever created.

It wasn’t just a drawing. It became a way of saying goodbye, a way of holding her close even when I couldn’t. Creating that piece gave me a sense of peace — like she had hugged me back. It gave me the comfort I needed. 

That’s when I knew: art has the power to heal.

Why I Create Today

I create art both to preserve memories and to share uplifting reminders we all need in our lives — a gentle nudge to care for ourselves, a reminder to slow down, and an encouragement to hold onto joy, hope, and optimism. Because sometimes, a single drawing on your wall can shift the way you feel in a day.

Life is full of tiny moments we think we’ll remember forever, but time has a way of softening them. Photos capture the surface, but art has a way of preserving the feeling.

Some memories are too precious to fade — like the time my daughter held my finger for the very first time. Others are lessons we need to revisit often — uplifting reminders to keep going, stay gentle with ourselves, and hold onto joy. And then there are the everyday experiences that slip through the cracks of photographs — laughter with siblings, playing with friends in childhood, celebrating festivals with family, or quiet moments with a partner.

These are the kinds of moments I want to capture through my work. Some people use words to explain. Some need a picture to truly feel it. That’s what my art is for — to stir emotions, lock in memories, and remind us of the beauty in our connections.

I've created illustrations that are available as art prints to brighten your walls, bring positivity into your space, or gift to someone you love. And if there's a special memory you want to preserve forever -  a moment that words or photos can't quite capture - I also create custom illustrations designed just for you. 

Just like art saved me, if my work can bring joy or comfort to even one person, I would consider my life meaningful. Over the years, I’ve received messages from people saying how my art made them smile, relate, or feel seen. I even do Free Art Fridays, where I share one free artwork every week, and about 25% of the time, someone reaches out to tell me it made their day.

Because sometimes, art is the hug we need.