Written by My name is Jayshree Rai and I am originally from India. Though I am a graduate of science, my true vocation remained in the field of art. In my younger days in India, I studied under the direction of expert teachers and took part in many open competitions with success.
During my school days, I also exhibited in many private galleries. Though my early days started with humble achievements and constant learning, it was huge for me when I won the state Gold medal award in fine Arts in 1996 in India during my college days.
After marriage, I moved and lived in England for many years and kept my passion going along with other things happening in life. Later we moved to Germany where we lived for more than seven years. During this time, my constant involvement and perseverance continued. My passion for art brought me in contact with many fine artists in both countries I lived. I was able to exhibit in numerous galleries with success .
In 1985, we moved to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During my stay in Riyadh, I worked as a freelance Artist and also as an Art instructor in the prestigious Art institution in Riyadh. Now, it’s been twenty odd years but with all the social difference I was lucky my artist life did not suffer. I painted many local scenes and people of this part of the world which some of them are my most fond creations! I also gave private lessons and conducted many workshops along with exhibiting in many local galleries. I took part in group shows as well as ‘solo’ with wonderful success.
In 1992, one of my watercolours “The Falconer” was selected as a UNISEF greeting card to be printed. That was again a milestone of my happy moments. In 2008, I moved to Canada with my husband.
The very first thing I did after moving to Canada was to find the Art community in this new land where I planned to live. By now, I learned that once I am connected with other artists around there, I will be home whichever path life takes me.
Now living in Miramichi, a little town in Canada, I am an active member of a local art club Called “ART CORE Miramichi “. Once again, I got busy painting local scenes here and people around. Now, I keep myself exhibiting my paintings with the group shows as well as local galleries around here.
Finally about me and my art works. I basically work in all mediums with great control and confidence, but I am always learning. After years of on and off practice, my paintings are true reflections of my years of experience and perseverance in the field. Still it’s been a one step forward, one step backward dance throughout all of this. The lands I lived and travelled to have taught me a lot. I am happy today my passion only grew stronger and never less.
Though figures and portraits dominate my subject matter, I do love to paint “still lives” as well as “plein air studies ” on a regular basis. I take life drawing classes whenever I can. I believe in constant studying, constant sketching, and constant involvement! To add to this, I enjoy experimenting in art by playing, mixing mediums and more. I paint, I waste, I trash, I get frustrated, then excited. To tell it simply, I enjoy the process of painting more than the product.
If and when I make a good painting by the end of my play, that is just a bonus, but never a goal. I believe in breaking the rules, freedom of expression, keeping an open mind, and having a never-ending curiosity.
Moving around the world has taught me to accept the new, and enjoy the different. I feel blessed meeting artists all over the world. Each time I learned something new, something inspiring. This is what keeps me alive and innovative – the constant contact with other artists .
In spite of working in many mediums I still feel I have a special penchant for watercolour, a soft corner, a special fondness. It is a special excitement that I can only feel and can’t explain or express!! That free-flowing nature of watercolour, that unique character of playing with water and colour is beyond joy for me .
I know that feeling when I load those brushes with water then colour. Those raw unmixed fresh colours ready to dive on a fine white paper waiting to relieve – “wet on wet”! It is mesmerizing each time. I get choked with joy watching the waves of those colours, those hues. Time and time again, I feel like a little girl with her first toy, her favourite one, the one she can’t part with!
Those uncertain moments, those unpredictable outcomes, teach me more than just watercolour painting. It is lesson on life itself. When I paint watercolour, it is not just passion for painting, it is an ultimate love to express myself, the child in me awakened. Each time, those moments of joy complete me! It is life. In that uncertainty, is the true meaning of all life itself.
Jayshree Rai
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They are wonderful!
Your joy shines through your paintings even more than your marvelous experiences and talent. Beautiful!
Beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Your work is amazing Jayshree 🎨 very inspiring 👍🏼 Thanks Charlie !
Very inspiring , thanks so much for sharing .. I love how you said you love the process , me too . It is so exciting do what you are passionate about . Nice job !
Beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing…
Beautiful work and thank you for sharing Charlie!
I love your artwork and the insight you have on what you’ve learnt. It’s inspiring to hear your story 🙂
Your passion is felt through your writing and wonderful flowing watercolours.What an hymn to life ! Thanks for sharing…
I enjoyed your words as much as your work. Stunning!
Jayshree, your art is simply gorgeous. The way you let the paints move across the paper, your idea of the journey being more important than the finished product, and the sense of movement lend life and excitement to your art. I love that you don’t color inside the lines but paint an image that exposes your impression and allows us, your viewers, to be a part of the process. Thank you for sharing.
Splendid natural talent 🙂
Your paintings reveal your love of watercolor..thank you for sharing your art and story.
Jayshree, you have a loose and lovely style. Your joy in the creation of your works shows itself in your paintings!