Interview with Yamini Pinto: A Cross Cultural Inspiration
Yamini Pinto has been passionate about art for as long as she can remember. She attended art school in India where she specialized in ceramic design. However, once she moved to Chicago, she re-discovered her love for painting and over the last three years developed a unique style and explored the many possibilities with oil paints.
ArtStyle: How did your subject matter develop?
Yamini Pinto (YP): Given that this was my initial foray back into painting, my instructor suggested that I start on a theme I was familiar with. It seemed only natural to me that I chose “Lord Ganesha” as the subject of my first work. This was a subject that had special meaning for me, as five years earlier I had painted this Hindu god of good fortune and prosperity on my wedding invitation.
Courtesy of the Artist
My second painting was of the “Street Vendor,” a subject selected by my instructor, from various pictures and books on India. This painting and its portrayal of a seemingly mundane scene from home turned out to be a milestone for me, as it set the tone for those paintings that followed, and has become a part of a series on India.
Courtesy of the Artist
ArtStyle: What type of process do you go through when working on a painting?
YP: I usually start by choosing a specific Indian subject and then determining the size of the painting. I then like to do several small pencil sketches on paper and play around with different ideas for the final composition. Once I’ve defined the mood of my painting, I start drawing it out on canvas. Then the long process of “creating and destroying” my canvas begins. I agonize over color, mood, background, and textures. I continuously scrape and repaint my canvas until I feel all aspects of my painting complement each other.
Courtesy of the Artist
ArtStyle: What do you think makes your paintings unique in this contemporary art world?
YP: I think what makes my paintings unique is my diverse cultural background, which is reflected in my work. My art is a juxtaposition of opposites, east and west, old and new, traditional and modern. It’s the coming together of two parallel worlds in a single frame.
I have been residing in this country since 2001, but through my art I depict my homeland, India, where I was born and lived until the age of twenty-three. I began painting in Chicago three years ago. And while I try to hold on to my roots, when I paint, I cannot deny that I’m inspired and influenced by my current surroundings here in Chicago. For instance, while I am currently working on a series on India, the backgrounds are more abstract. I like to create different textures, whether it is through the application of paint or through patterns. The Chicago cityscape, landscape and seasons stimulate me to use abstract patterns, rich textures and vibrant colors. In my paintings I endeavor to re-create a world I once knew and create a world I know now.
Courtesy of the Artist
ArtStyle: How are your paintings different from other Indian paintings?
YP: I think my subject matter primarily distinguishes my paintings from those of other Indian artists. Only after my move to America and numerous trips back to India did I finally begin to appreciate what I had left behind in my homeland. Street vendors with monkeys hanging from their canopies, auto-rickshaws driving along side cows, things that once seemed mundane and simply a way of life, now seemed unique, interesting, and beautiful. On one hand, the country is racing to modernize and grow economically. On the other, time seems to stand still. In the words of Gregory David Roberts, “the impression is of a plodding, indefatigable, and distant past that has crashed intact, through barriers of time, into its own future.” In my paintings, I try to capture this uniqueness and this spirit that is India.
Courtesy of the Artist
ArtStyle: Do you always work in a series?
YP: Since I started painting, I’ve chosen only Indian subjects, developing a series on India. For now, the Indian subjects seem endless, so I will probably continue working on this series for a while. However, I am certainly open to new ideas and subjects to paint in the future.
ArtStyle: How long does it take you to finish a painting?
YP: The whole process from start to finish can take up to several months for each painting. This is because I spend a lot of time staring at my work and scrutinizing it. If it reveals any weakness, it gets repainted. Until a painting holds up under this intense scrutiny, I don’t consider it finished. What can I say? It’s not easy being your own worst critic.
ArtStyle: What is the next direction for your upcoming work?
YP: For now I will continue to work on my Indian theme. In the future, however, I hope to paint a more eclectic series inspired by my travels around the world.
Yamini Pinto can be contacted at yaminiji@yahoo.com.
Technorati Tags: Lord Ganesha, Hindu god, good fortune, India, contemporary art, Chicago cityscape
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I just Love the work that Yamini has done especially the one of Lord Ganesha remover of obstacles;
the colors are wonderful and vibrant.
Yamini
I am impressed with the paintings
fufa
Yamini
I am very happy to see your paintings and proud of you.
Good luck dear!
Monisha
Wonderful paintings Yamini. Alive and vibrant.
We are all proud of you
The Bangalore Gang
From an Indian perspective, Yamini has broken new ground. Her style and subjects are indeed a refreshing breath of ingenuity executed with exceptional skill, grace and insight.
When and where will you be exhibiting, Yamini? I would like to take a closer look at your work and speak to you. Good luck!
Dear yamini
Your work is simply amazing! I love the concept and the play of beautiful colors together!
Pls add me as one of your buyers…! I surely want your piece in my house. i like the street vendor and the one with 2 cows facing the front. beautiful.
Love
Niti
T, you have made all of us proud .all of us are smiling at your achievment.
luv
papa
Yamini,
Thank you for sharing. Wow!! You have such a vibrant and yet sensitive style as one can see from the subjects of your choice. My favorite is the Street Vendor. I feel like I know this woman.
Love and God Bless,
Malabika
Your every piece of art has an exquisite character attached to it. It’s brilliant.
Are they up for sale? I’d like to know the prices for street vendor and the cows.
Dearest Yamini,
At last, an artist in the family! Wonderful work, sweetheart. Love the juxtaposition of the two cultures you are living.
Love - U Stanley & A Yvonne
Yamini, The paintings photographed really well and they are even better in person. You know there is always wall space at my place!! Just don’t forget us little people when you make it big. Congratulations, G
Dear Yamini,
So much hidden talent!!!
You have really surprised all of us–the paintings are really very good, the colours and the concepts.Rewa ofcourse loved the Bangle seller, the colours and the monkey is very cute.
Even the fusion of East/West, Chicago and India is amazing.God Bless and keep it up.Love,Rewa ‘A’ and Arvind ‘U’.
Yamini,
I love the vibrant colors and the themes. The street vendor is my favourite.
Have an exhibition soon …you will sell out.
Sparkles
Sharon
Yamini:
Amazing!! Next time we meet we will make sure to bring our autograph book along!!
You’ve got talent, girl!!
Renu and Sanjit
Dearest Yamini,
Realy a great work of art.Such a pleasing work fr eyes that we feel like keep on looking at them one by one.Lord Ganesh’s paiting is brilliant work of art with beautiful blend of colours.Well done and keep it up.We sure r proud of u.How much contribution from Rahul fr this other than the support and INSPIRATION!!!!!
With loads of love and good wishes
Kiran and Jayshree THE ASHERS FROM MUSCAT OMAN
Yamini,
Rahul shared this with me. It is stunning work. Well done. I am going to share with our team in India. Beam Global is proud of the talent of it’s extended family.
Donard
Dear Yamini,
Wow! Beautiful paintings with those vibrant colours. Your work is amazing.
Love,
U.Ronnie and A.Priscilla
Hi Yamini
Needless to say its extremely inspiring for everyone of us. Congratulations!
Keep up the great work and keep in touch.
good luck,
Aditi Sahrawat (Rathee)
Hi Yamini
Fabulous work. Thanks for giving us a preview in Bangalore. keep it up. You have got talent
Bill and Theresa
Hi Yamini,
This is awesome. BTW this is Bawa, Chini’s husband.Only an artist could be inspired and represent India in such a unique way.
Keep up the Great Work!
cheers
- amit
Hi Yamini
Gitanjali forwarded me this blog. Really neat stuff with a dazzling array of color. The paintings with the cows were particularly Mooooooving
Cheers
Tony
Hello Yamini!
Congratulations! This blog on your work is wonderful, and I am so happy to see some of your paintings! They are trully amazing.
Thank Tahul for me for sending me this link!
Keep in touch,
Virginia
I’m incredibly impressed by the beauty, color and vibrancy of your work. I love seeing the juxtaposition of old and new, like the city skyline behind the cows. Keep up the phenomenal work as I think you’re going to need more pieces to sell.
Amy Underwood, Rahul’s coworker
Great work keep it up let me know when you want an exhibition in Bangalore.
Wow…very vibrant….I like your paintings…was never into art much…but your paintings are almost alive…lemme know when you have an exhibition in Chicago
Hi Yamini
Your paintings are a feast for the eyes and soul.You have the same genius as great artists like Michelangelo!
Meera bua
Hi,
I finally managed to find the site.Your work is amazing.Love the paintings and the colors of lord ganesha and the street vendor.We all knew you were going to be famous one day!
All the Best.
Mitali