Sheela Becton was born and raised in India and moved to the US in 1997. She lives in Silver
Spring, Maryland, where she embraces her love for painting. The brushwork in her art
often tells the story of her memories from life and travels in India, showcasing the rich
tapestry of her cultural heritage. Through color, form, and texture she blends the elements of nature and cultural heritage on her canvas and aims to create a space where viewers can reflect on their own connection to the world around them. Her art is an invitation to explore the universal themes of harmony, balance, and interconnectedness that transcend cultural boundaries.

In a virtual visit to the artist Sheela Becton’s studio located in Maryland. Sheela’s works capture the moments and memories she treasures from her travels in India. These memories serve as her muse guiding her brush to capture the essence of tranquility and balance. Through her paintings, she seeks to evoke a sense of serenity and contemplation. In this interview with the artist Sheela Becton, she shares how she sets her studio for the New Year’s, what a typical day looks like for her, her studio practice, and more.

1. How are you setting up your studio for the New Year?

I am setting up my studio so my creative visions can come to life. This means I have been re-organizing my studio keeping in mind all the tools and mediums I will need and how I can reach them easily so I can stay focused and create a haven where creativity can flourish unhindered.

2. What is one ritual or thing that you do at the beginning of the New Year in your studio?

I say a silent prayer and connect with my inner self praying that each stroke becomes a mindful journey, a deliberate expression that transcends the confines of words and connects with my viewers

3. Looking at last year what is the work that you are most proud of?

I am proud of my work titled Divine Mother Earth. It is a celebration of life’s interconnected and flourishing existence. The Divine feminine and nature both are my favored subjects, The Woman has an inquisitive parrot perched on her shoulder. The serene expression on the woman’s face and the ease with which both creatures negotiate the shared space suggest a sense of harmony and balance

4. What does a typical day in the studio look like for you?

I always like to start my day in the studio with a few minutes of meditation to ground myself. I usually have multiple paintings going on at one time and I spend about 3-5 hours in the studio; so, I like to organize my thoughts on what I would like to work on that day to make sure I am bringing my vision or story for a painting to fruition. Although I start with everything I need organized as the day passes It gets messy building synergy between chaos and creativity.

My works capture the moments and memories I treasure from my travels in India. These memories serve as my muse guiding my brush to capture the essence of tranquility and balance. Through my paintings I seek to evoke a sense of serenity and contemplation.

Sheela Becton Statement

5. Could you share the studio spaces you work from? Be it your kitchen table or a fancy studio? How has your creative process evolved?

I rekindled my passion for Art in 2008 after my kids grew up and moved out on their own. One of the smaller bedrooms at home was converted into a studio and I have been pursuing my very passionate relationship with color in that space since then. My studio is the space I love, messy and meditative at the same time! It is a space where I ‘honor’ my creativity. I decided to pursue Art full-time after the pandemic and started working towards a new body of work. As I ran out of space, I took over another bedroom and the basement. I use each space for a very specific purpose, my main studio where I sketch and paint. The second bedroom is where I do more of my mixed media art and larger pieces and the basement is for storage and packing. Over the years Art has been a ‘patient teacher’ and my creative process has allowed me to dig deeper and try new things.

My creative process starts by sketching a composition that reflects a particular idea, thought, or experience and starts envisioning how I will bring that composition to life with colors. That process intensifies further as I add layers of paint to the canvas. My creativity opens and before I know it, I get lost in the details, which is when the painting comes to life. Over the years my process has evolved and as part of my process, stepping back and observing has taught me to look at the composition to make sure it is coming together cohesively as I envisioned. It also teaches me to heed my instinct and change course as needed. My art aims to exude hope and positivity by drawing my viewer into my journey

6. How are you setting up the tone for your studio practice this new year?

The tone I want to create fosters a path to inner peace coupled with an environment that encourages creativity, I want to acknowledge the importance of work-life balance which means taking breaks, and time for reflection

 7. A favorite book you like to read?

The creative act-A way of being by Rick Rubin

8. Can we sneak in your current artwork on your table?

I am currently working on a painting called ‘Tranquil Grove’ Here time seems to stand still, inviting introspection and a profound connection with the soothing pulse of nature. I strive to draw in my viewers so worries dissipate engulfing them with calm and solace.

9. How do you take your studio practice beyond your studio?

This year I want to take my studio practice beyond my studio by focusing on the word ‘Quality’ Quality in life, in work, in relationships, and living in the present. I want to be surrounded by other creative individuals with a shared passion for the arts and seek opportunities for collaboration and growth through my practice.

10. How would you describe the year 2023 for your studio practice.

The year 2023 was good for my studio practice. The freedom to learn and push boundaries is what I love about being creative and 2023 gave me many opportunities to do that.

11. How do you overcome a creative block and let the creative juices flow?

I spend time with nature. It helps me to look within eliminate any doubts and re-energize my creative thinking. It is when I have a creative block that I stop and look deeper for clarity. So, I take the creative block to be an opportunity to step away, look deep, and be more aware and observant of the self because there is always something hiding in there

Sheela believes in painting with a purpose; to spread positivity, encourage healing through art, and uplift others.

Sheela Becton’s Bio

12. The first piece of art you made while working here in this studio.

The first piece of Art I made in this studio is a painting of ‘Ganesha’.

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