How Artist Kiran Kumar Merges Creativity and Community
Meet Kiran, a self-taught watercolour artist whose story is as inspiring as his art. In this interview, Kiran shares how he found his path as an artist without formal training, driven by passion, curiosity, and a deep love for painting.
He talks about how his name, light, feels closely connected to his creative process. He paints and follows light, capturing mood, emotion, and beauty through the delicate layers of watercolour.
Kiran also talks about how moving to the UAE became a turning point in his journey. The country’s rich culture, landscapes, and supportive art scene helped him grow personally and artistically. While his day job as a CFO brings structure and logic, painting gives him space to be free, expressive, and deeply connected to himself. From showcasing his work worldwide to using his art for community and charity events, Kiran shows us that self-taught is not a limitation—it’s a path filled with heart, learning, and discovery.
Kiran Kumar is a featured artist in our book, “101 Art Book: Portrait Edition.” You can explore his journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here: https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book
Art, for me, is both a calling and a sanctuary. As a self-taught watercolourist, I have been deeply influenced by the works of many traditional great master artists. Though I never had the opportunity for formal training, my passion, perseverance, and inspiration from global art communities have been my most outstanding teachers. With its transparency and spontaneity, Watercolour offers me the perfect medium to express light, emotion, and atmosphere, which are central themes in my work. I often say that my name, Kiran, meaning ‘light,’ symbolises what I strive to capture in every brushstroke. Moving to the UAE was a transformative moment in my artistic journey. The rich cultural tapestry, contrasting landscapes, and opportunities to exhibit at esteemed platforms like the Cartoon Art Gallery and IWS Watercolour Festivals have allowed me to grow both in confidence and expression.
From tranquil deserts to the dynamic skyline of Dubai, especially the iconic Burj Khalifa, my art reflects my emotional connection to this land, which has become my artistic home. Every live painting event, every exhibition, and every recognition, including the Golden Visa, has reinforced my belief in the power of art to connect and inspire. Art, to me, is a powerful form of expression that speaks the unsaid, reminds the forgotten, and brings to light the indescribable. It is my escape from structure into a space of freedom and imagination. While my professional life as a CFO is governed by precision and logic, painting offers emotional depth, spontaneity, and a profound sense of purpose. As Thomas Merton said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,” and that’s precisely what it continues to do for me.
1. Your name, “Kiran,” means light, which feels poetic considering your love for watercolour. What role does light play in your creative process and storytelling?
Yes, the name Kiran, meaning “light”, has always felt symbolic to me, especially in the context of my art. Light plays a central role in my creative process, both technically and emotionally. In watercolour, light is everything. Unlike other media where you build up layers of paint, in watercolour, you work by preserving the white of the paper and letting the transparency of the medium do the storytelling. It’s a dance with light, allowing it to breathe through each wash, each layer. On a deeper level, light represents clarity, subtlety, and hope, qualities I try to bring into my work. Whether it’s the gentle glow of the morning sky or the reflective shimmer on the water, capturing those fleeting moments of light allows me to evoke a certain mood or emotion. It’s also about revealing the beauty in everyday scenes, which I find deeply inspiring in the UAE’s landscapes and architecture. So yes, maybe my name was a hint and a reminder to keep chasing and sharing the light in art and life.
Art, to me, is a way to speak the unsaid, to remind the forgotten, and to bring to light the indescribable
Kiran Kumar
2. Balancing a career as a CFO with an international art practice is no small feat—how do these two worlds complement or contrast each other in your life?
Balancing my career as a CFO with an international art practice has been both challenging and rewarding. At first glance, finance and art may seem like two distinct worlds, one rooted in structure and logic, and the other in creativity and emotion. But over time, I’ve found that they complement each other meaningfully. My role in finance instils a strong sense of discipline, organisation, and strategic planning, which enables me to manage my art practice professionally, whether it involves preparing for exhibitions, handling logistics, or meeting deadlines. Meanwhile, my artistic journey offers a creative outlet that brings balance and emotional depth to my life, allowing me to recharge and return to work with a renewed perspective. Both fields require problem-solving and vision, as well as finance with data analysis, and art with intuition. Together, they shape a well-rounded and fulfilling path where precision and creativity coexist.
3. Moving to the UAE is a transformative chapter in your art journey. What about this place continues to inspire your work?
Moving to the UAE has been a transformative chapter in my artistic journey. This country has a unique energy, a blend of tradition and modernity, desert stillness and urban dynamism that constantly fuels my creativity. What inspires me most is the diversity. The UAE brings together people, cultures, and stories from all over the world, and that richness is reflected in the art scene here. I’ve been exposed to various perspectives, techniques, and influences that have helped me grow as an artist.
The landscapes are also profoundly inspiring, from the golden hues of the desert to the intricate textures of old souks and the architectural brilliance of the skyline. The way light plays across these elements, especially during early mornings or late afternoons, often finds its way into my watercolours. Most importantly, the UAE has given me a platform in a community that values and recognises artistic expression. Being part of exhibitions, art societies, and cultural events here has encouraged me to evolve confidently and share my voice. It’s a place that inspired my art and gave it room to thrive.
4. What have been some of your most valuable lessons or breakthroughs as a self-taught artist?
As a self-taught artist, my journey has been shaped by countless lessons, but a few stand out as true breakthroughs. One of the most important has been learning to trust the process, especially with watercolour, where control is limited, and unpredictability often leads to the most beautiful results. Embracing imperfection and allowing the medium to speak for itself has been a game-changer. Another key lesson has been the power of consistency over raw talent. I realised that progress comes from showing up every day, experimenting, making mistakes, and learning through doing.
Through my work, that mindset helped me grow as an artist and a storyteller. A significant breakthrough moment was receiving the Golden Visa from Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, a robust recognition of my artistic contributions in the UAE. Equally rewarding has been having my work showcased internationally in countries such as Italy, Vietnam, Hungary, and Indonesia, and being featured in media outlets like Gulf Today and Times Square, New York. These milestones reminded me that even a self-taught journey, with enough heart and perseverance, can reach far beyond borders. Each recognition has been profoundly humbling and motivating, proof that passion, discipline, and staying true to your creative voice can open doors you never imagined.
Watercolor has taught me to let go and trust the process—some of the most beautiful things happen when you stop trying to control every detail.
Kiran Kumar
5. You’ve showcased your art globally—from Times Square to Fabriano. What does international recognition mean to you as someone who started painting independently?
International recognition has been significant to me, especially as someone who began this journey independently, without formal training or an academic background in art. When I first picked up a brush, it was purely out of passion and a personal need for creative expression. I never imagined that one day, my work would be displayed on global platforms like Times Square, Fabriano Aquarelle, and various international exhibitions. Seeing my art resonate with audiences across different countries is humbling and empowering.
It affirms that creativity has no boundaries and that a painting created in the quiet of my studio in the UAE can connect with someone halfway across the world. It also reinforces the idea that being self-taught is not a limitation but a unique path filled with discovery, authenticity, and resilience. International recognition has given me exposure and a more profound sense of responsibility to continue growing, sharing, and proudly representing the UAE art community. It’s a reminder that no matter where or how you start, what truly matters is the passion and honesty you bring to your work.
6. From live painting events to charity exhibitions, the community seems to be a big part of your journey. How has giving back shaped your perspective as an artist?
Indeed, the community has been at the heart of my artistic journey. Participating in live painting events, charity exhibitions, and cultural collaborations has enriched my practice and deepened my sense of purpose. Giving back through art has shown me that creativity is more than personal expression. It’s a powerful way to connect, uplift, and inspire. Whether it’s painting live to support a cause, donating works for charity auctions, or mentoring emerging artists, these experiences have reminded me that art can create real impact beyond gallery walls. It’s also taught me humility. Being part of community-driven events brings me closer to people from all walks of life, and their stories often find their way into my work, even subconsciously. It shifts the focus from “creating for self” to “creating with meaning.” In many ways, giving back has made me a more grounded and empathetic artist. It’s no longer just about the art I create but the connections it fosters, the conversations it starts, and the positivity it can spread.
Kiran’s story is a reminder that creativity knows no boundaries—not of age, profession, or background. With watercolour as his medium and “light” as his name and guide, he paints not just landscapes but emotions and experiences. From receiving global recognition to touching lives through community art, Kiran’s journey is one of perseverance, passion, and quiet confidence. His art speaks the unsaid, celebrates the simple, and invites us to believe in the power of following our creative spark, wherever it may lead. To learn more about Kiran, click the following links to visit her profile.
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