The Q&A: Manuja Waldia
Q: Originally from South Asia, what are some of your favorite things about living and working in the American heartland?
A: Originally from India, I am currently based in Indianapolis. I love the peace & quiet in scenic Indiana, especially the stormy summer season.
Q: Do you keep a sketchbook? What is the balance between art you create on paper [or other analog medium] versus in the computer?
A; I keep a sketchbook, and also sketch on my Cintiq. All my final artworks are done digitally.
Q: What is the most important item in your studio?
A: My cat.
Q: How do you know when the art is finished?
A: That's tough, as there is always room for improvement. The deadline usually tells me when to stop.
Q: What was your favorite book as a child?
A: R.K. Narayan's Malgudi Days.
Q: What is the best book you’ve recently read?
A: Neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks' beautiful biography, On The Move: A Life.
Q: If you had to choose one medium to work in for an entire year, eliminating all others, what medium would you choose?
A: Clay
Q: What elements of daily life exert the most influence on your work practice?
A: I draw a lot of girls and anthropomorphic creatures, in lush natural settings, so maybe I am inspired by my past and present experience as a brown woman, and nature.
Q: What was the [Thunderbolt] painting or drawing or film or otherwise that most affected your approach to art?
A: Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal's Bhumika.
Q: Who was the [Thunderbolt] teacher or mentor or visiting artist who most influenced you early in your training or career?
A: Jessica Hische. Through her wonderfully open personality, she's influenced a whole generation of artists. I've never met her in person, only for a few minutes over Skype, but I've learned so much about the business side of things and valuable resources just by following her on the internet.
Q: What would be your last supper?
A: Biryani, baklava and an espresso.
Manuja Waldia is an illustrator and graphic designer living in Indianapolis, IN. She graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in 2014.
Website www.manujawaldia.com
Shop www.waldiaandco.com
Personal Instagra @manujawaldia
Shop Instagram- @waldiaandco
