Hello
arty-crafty folks,
The
‘Crafter in the Spotlight’ is so much into my Thursday routine now! I simply
love sharing the story of a new crafter every week, this day this time!! This
week the crafter in the limelight is Shantha
Prabhu.
Shantha Prabhu is
a computer science graduate who worked as an IT programmer for a couple of
years before she discovered that her stronger inclination was towards Art and
Craft. She is now a freelance artist and devotes her full time to her artwork. She
mostly works with paints and mixed media is one of her favourites. Her creative
world revolves around variety as she loves to try out different art forms.
How
did Shantha get into art and craft, what inspires her, what are
her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she
contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read answers to all
these questions, discover more about her interesting journey and catch a
glimpse of a step by step project by Shantha in this interview. Don't forget to leave your comments
for her.
Let’s see how
Shantha Prabhu feels about being featured in the ‘Crafter in the Spot Light”
It is a great
honour to be given this recognition and I wish to thank Rashmi Harish and the
Itsy Bitsy team for featuring me.
Rashmi
Closepet, MD, Itsy Bitsy: Tell us a
bit about yourself & your background?
Shantha Prabhu:
I am Shantha Prabhu, an ardent art-lover, major craft enthusiast, Blogger, and
a dreamer in my own world of colors.
Being a Computer
Science graduate, I worked as a programmer for a couple of years. It was while
I was working in the IT industry that I identified a stronger inclination
towards my passion for Art and Craft. While working, I would receive requests
from people for my art work. I eventually quit my job and decided to pursue Art
and Craft as a full-time profession.
It’s been about 2
years since then and there is no looking back. As a freelance artist, I now work with paints
and make paintings on order.
RC:
How did you get into crafting?
SP: I
inherit my artistic genes from my parents. My Father is a Mechanical Engineer
and sketches Machine Designs/Drawings, skillfully crafts machines as per the
sketches and gives life to it. My Mother is excellent with Art and from my
childhood days, I would sit by her side and watch her embroider and paint. She
enrolled me into drawing classes, where I ventured into shading, water colors,
pencil sketching, portraits and still life. Though my love for art was
initiated at a young age, pursuing it as a profession would not have been
possible if not for the support of my husband who believed that I would carve a
profession for myself out of my passion.
RC: What is your
favourite type of craft?
SP: I
love dabbling with various mediums, art forms and crafts. I can work with
almost 50 different art forms, and I find it very interesting to combine two or
more varieties of art on one canvas. I would say Mixed Media is my favourite
subject.
RC: What
are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?
SP: I
love all the products at Itsy Bitsy and end up picking more than I need when I
go to the store. Mont Marte colour pencils and the Mont Marte Skin Tint pastel
Pencils are my all-time favourite and I use these for my pencil sketches,
portraits and detailing. My favourite products at present are the Chalk Paints,
Colour Splash and the Alcohol Splash. I seem to be using these in all my Mixed
Media creations.
RC: If
you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the Crafting world?
SP: The
world of Art and Craft is itself magical enough to motivate and inspire people
to look within and realize themselves. Art is a way of expression, therapy,
relaxation and rejuvenation. I enjoy working on various arts/crafts, lost art
forms, write blogs and DIY articles with an intention to share the magic of
Art. I handle workshops for Art and Craft enthusiasts which I believe is a way
to help unfold the talents within each individual.
I also feel that
when my workshops revolve around entrepreneurship, women empowerment, recycling
and up-cycling, add value and in a small way contribute to the betterment of
the society.
RC: Your
prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?
SP: I
picked up the newly launched Dream Cut machine at the launch event and ever
since that day I have been adding Die Cuts and Embossing Folders to my
collection. I have used the Dream Cut for a lot of projects including canvas,
jute, foam and even fabric and it’s a great addition to my craft stash. The
Dream Cut is my most prized possession.
RC:
How would you describe your style of crafting?
SP: “VARIETY”
aptly sums up the way I work with my projects.
I love variety
and tend to get bored if I stick to a particular technique or style for more
than a week. I keep hopping from one art form/style of crafting to another and sometimes
work in combination.
RC: How do you
organize your time for crafting?
SP: I
don’t really organize time for crafting. I do it all the time. Even if I am not
physically working on a project, there is something or the other that keeps
running at the back of my head. There are so many projects which I end up
making in my mind and don’t find time to actually sit down and make it in reality.
RC: Tips for
people who want to craft
SP: “Let your Imagination take wings and Fly!!”
RC: Your
all -time favourite quote?
SP: “CREATIVITY
TAKES COURAGE” ~Henri Matisse
Here is a gorgeous project by Shantha & step by step procedure:
A SIMPLE DIY:
I feel like Little Alice in Wonderland when I
step into the Itsy Bitsy store. The entire collection of products is to die
for. Right from the Acrylic Chalk paints, The Color Splash, Alcohol Splash, the
chipboard elements to the most coveted Dream Cut, everything put together would
help you magically create a piece of Art. Here’s how I got down to making
something using all these products.
1 I picked up a board
that has already been primed and painted.
A wooden board/MDF, painted using Chalk Paint: Black can also be used.
If painted, the board must be allowed to dry.
1 Meanwhile, I decided
to cut out a few shapes using the Dream Cut machine. Using it is as easy as
making a sandwich and frying it. All you have to do is: sandwich the cutting
die and paper in between the cutting plates (by following the instructions in
the leaflet) and then pass it through the machine to cut the paper.
I somehow ended up using
this Chip board element as a stencil. I love the outcome of the brick effect. I
have used a sponge to dab Acrylic Chalk Paint: Drift Wood.
1 I then assembled and
stuck the cut leaves and a few Little Birdie Boutique Elements.
1 Using an Embossing
folder with the Dream Cut machine allows one to create embossed patterns. I cut
out a rectangular piece from cardstock and then used an embossing folder (just
the way I used the Cutting Die) to obtain the pattern as in the image.
1 Using Color Splash-
Tangerine, I added some colour to the cut out paper.
1
. I then stuck the
embossed paper onto the board.
1 A simple sentiment
from Little Birdie completes the look of the project.
And I am not done with
my piece until I spray a bit of Gold Alcohol Splash onto it.
Here we go!! This one
is perfect as a display on a table top.
Here are a couple of Shantha's other awesome creations:
Bottle Art using the Dream Cut Machine.
A mixed Media painting on canvas using Chipboard elements, Chalk
Paints and Acrylic paints.
Acrylic paintings on Miniature canvases
THE WANDERER- Pencil portrait on Paper. Used Mont Marte Colour Pencils
and Skit Tint Pastel Pencils for this
Many congrats Shantha Prabhu for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY!!
You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher 😊😊 & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!
