We’re excited to kick off a new series of interviews with our Art Star of the Month program, honoring exceptional talent across various creative fields.

Through this initiative, we aim to spotlight artists who are making an impact, offering them a global platform to share their work and connect with a community of creators. The Art Star of the Month program is designed to recognize the incredible diversity and innovation in the arts, providing a space for growth, recognition, and meaningful connections.

For our very first Art Star of the Month, we’re thrilled to introduce Meghna Rao, a talented freelance digital artist from India. Meghna’s work spans a variety of styles, including landscapes, cityscapes, fantasy art, and portraiture. In this interview, she opens up about her creative journey, sharing how she blends realism with imagination, her passion for experimenting with new techniques, and the challenges she faces when capturing emotions in portraiture. Meghna also reflects on how working on commissions has helped her grow as an artist, always pushing her to refine her craft. Join us as we dive into her creative process and the driving passion behind her stunning work.

P Meghna Rao is a freelance digital artist in India, specializing in landscapes, cityscapes, fantasy art, and portraiture. With a deep passion for storytelling through visuals, she explores various artistic themes, blending realism with imagination to create compelling digital artworks. Meghna is continuously honing her skills, particularly in portraiture, as she strives to expand her artistic versatility with the help of Procreate. She has actively participated in various art competitions and takes on commission work, allowing her to create personalized pieces for clients. Currently, she is focused on building her professional art portfolio, aiming to establish herself as a full-time digital artist. Through her work, she seeks to evoke emotions, transport viewers into different worlds, and push the boundaries of her creative expression.

1. Meghna, your work beautifully blends realism with imagination. How do you decide when to balance these two elements in your art?

The balance between realism and imagination depends on the story I want to tell through my artwork. I love capturing real-world elements like landscapes and cityscapes with a sense of depth and authenticity. Still, I enjoy infusing them with a dreamlike quality to evoke emotion and intrigue. Sometimes, I start with a realistic base and gradually introduce imaginative elements—whether it’s through lighting, color shifts, or surreal details. It’s all about creating a mood that resonates with the viewer while feeling visually immersive and believable.

While landscapes and cityscapes allow me to play with perspective and mood, fantasy art is where I let my imagination run wild.

Meghna Rao

2.    Your creative process is driven by exploration. Can you share how experimenting with different techniques helps shape your creative voice?

Experimentation is at the core of my artistic growth. Whenever I try a new technique—whether it’s a different brush style, texture, or approach to lighting—I discover something new about my creative voice. Exploring various styles, from detailed realism to expressive fantasy elements, allows me to push my boundaries and refine my unique artistic identity. For example, working on landscapes and cityscapes taught me how to handle depth and composition, while portraiture is helping me develop a stronger sense of emotion and storytelling. Each experiment adds another layer to my work, making my art more dynamic and evolving with every piece I create.

3.   Fantasy art seems to be a big part of your work. What draws you to create dreamlike scenes, and how do you bring those fantastical elements to life?  

Fantasy art allows me to break free from reality and create worlds that exist beyond the ordinary. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through visuals, and dreamlike scenes allow me to explore emotions, surreal landscapes, and imaginative narratives in a way that realism alone cannot. I bring these fantastical elements to life by blending atmospheric lighting, rich colors, and intricate details that add a sense of depth and wonder. Whether it’s a mystical cityscape, an ethereal landscape, or a character lost in a surreal world, I aim to make each piece feel immersive—as if the viewer is stepping into a story waiting to unfold.

4.    You’re actively working on refining your portraiture skills. What challenges do you face in capturing emotions and personality in your portraits, and how do you overcome them?  

Portraiture is one of the most challenging yet rewarding areas of art for me. Capturing emotions and personality requires a deep understanding of facial structures, expressions, and subtle details that make each person unique. One of the trickiest aspects for me is getting the nose structure right—it’s such a defining feature, and even a slight misalignment can throw off the entire likeness. To overcome this, I keep refining my sketches, experimenting with different angles and lighting until I achieve an accurate and expressive result. I also study references, break down facial features into simple shapes, and practice constantly. The process can sometimes be frustrating, but I’ve learned that patience and persistence are key to improving my portrait work.

I aim to create immersive visuals that evoke emotions, spark curiosity, and allow viewers to escape into different realms.

Meghna Rao

5.  Through commissions, you bring others’ visions to life. How does collaborating with clients influence your own creative growth?  

Working on commissions is a unique experience because it challenges me to step outside my comfort zone and bring someone else’s vision to life while maintaining my artistic style. Each client comes with different ideas, preferences, and expectations, which pushes me to experiment with new themes, color palettes, and techniques that I might not have explored otherwise. This collaboration not only refines my adaptability as an artist but also enhances my problem-solving skills—figuring out how to translate abstract concepts into a visually compelling piece. Every commission teaches me something new, and in the process, I grow both creatively and professionally.

6.   Congratulations on being featured as Art Star by The Arts to Hearts Project! How do you think opportunities like this help elevate your career and open new doors for your creative journey?  

Thank you! Being featured as an Art Star by The Arts to Hearts Project is such an incredible honor. Opportunities like this provide a platform for artists to showcase their work to a wider audience, connect with like-minded creatives, and gain recognition beyond their immediate circles. Exposure like this builds confidence and opens doors to new collaborations, commissions, and even potential career opportunities. It’s a reminder that hard work and passion can lead to amazing possibilities, motivating me to keep pushing my artistic boundaries. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to see where this journey takes me next!

Meghna’s journey as an artist is an inspiring demonstration of the power of creativity, persistence, and a passion for storytelling. Her ability to balance realism with imaginative fantasy and her drive to refine her portraiture skills show her commitment to both her craft and personal growth. As she continues to push the boundaries of her art, Meghna’s story reminds us of the importance of exploration, patience, and the excitement of discovering new artistic possibilities. To learn more about Meghna, click the following links to visit her profile.

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