Amid the turbulent seas of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world grappled with confinement and pervasive negativity, Dr. Sushma Mahajan embarked on a transformative odyssey. A seasoned medical professional with over three decades of commitment to her career, Dr. Mahajan ventured into the realm of art. Little did she anticipate that her newfound hobby would catalyze a remarkable journey, characterized by a string of successful exhibitions and a growing demand for her art, all while maintaining her steadfast dedication to her medical profession.
An Artistic Awakening
Dr. Mahajan’s artistic journey began when her daughter’s fine arts school project required a water colour poster. To help her daughter with the project, she started watching online tutorials. The lockdown in March 2020 , which followed soon after, presented an unexpected opportunity for her to delve deeper into painting. However, her early works were hampered by limited supplies of paint and paper. Undeterred, she persevered and, once the lockdown lifted, invested in high-quality materials that elevated the quality of her art.
Finessing her skills
With each stroke of the brush, Dr. Mahajan’s skills improved, and she embraced the learning process, taking valuable lessons from her mistakes. Her husband’s encouragement and support and the values instilled in her by her father—punctuality, discipline, and hard work—played a pivotal role in honing her artistic abilities. She also sought feedback from an online global fine arts review website, gaining helpful insights into her work.
Dr. Sushma Mahajan initially aspired to decorate her home with a few framed paintings. However, her ambition quickly expanded as she finished a whopping 100 paintings by January 2021. This led to her first solo exhibition in March 2021, which featured an impressive collection of 72 paintings. Remarkably, 50 of these pieces found new homes within just two days of the exhibition’s opening. This milestone marked the beginning of an extraordinary artistic journey and there was no looking back from there. In a mere four months, she curated her next exhibition, showcasing a captivating collection of 50 paintings, and it was met with resounding success, selling out in its entirety. To date, Dr. Mahajan has orchestrated an impressive total of six exhibitions, including a prestigious showcase at the India Habitat Center in New Delhi.
Art as Liberation
Amid the rigorous demands of the medical profession, Dr. Sushma Mahajan discovered solace and liberation in art. After her daily 9-to-5 medical duties, she dedicates 2 to 3 hours every day to painting. While initially favouring safe subjects like still life and nature, she later embraced the challenge of portraits and landscapes. Her artistic style leans towards realism, aiming to evoke feelings of positivity and happiness in her viewers, transporting them into the world depicted on her canvas. On an average, she completes one painting per week.
Spectrum of Life
As Dr. Mahajan prepares for her seventh exhibition, to be held at Jaipur’s iconic Rambagh Palace, she explores the theme of ‘Spectrum of Life.’ When asked about her creative process and how she deals with creative blocks, she reveals her commitment to her craft. She does not wait for inspiration or motivation; instead, painting has become an integral part of her lifestyle. “I do not give myself the choice to not paint and I have made it a way of life”, she says.
Dr. Sushma Mahajan’s incredible journey from medicine to art serves as a testament to the limitless potential of human determination and the power of pursuing one’s passion. Her story reminds us that age is no barrier to mastering new skills, and with dedication and hard work, we can achieve greatness at any stage of life.
Tusharika Singh
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