Gaya Chandrasekaran Verified listing

I start my canvas with an idea of what I’d like to see, not entirely sure of the end result. I prime the surface, create broad outlines of shapes, and arrange the color palette for ready use. I then let the process take over and evolve. When I use images as reference, I tend to use their abstracted versions as a starting point. I work extensively with acrylics. Creating textured art is an intensely tangible experience that brings the artwork alive for me. I use palette knives for layering and mixing heavy body acrylics with gel mediums. I also use gold leaf quite regularly as I am drawn to the color of gold, a powerful symbol of abundance. I continue working until I feel excitement and can embrace the artwork unconditionally. The whole process consistently feels cathartic, infusing me with a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.

My artworks are based on the themes of Quest, Soliloquy, Rebirth and Nirvana. These themes reflect key life moments and are an expression of my thoughts, emotions, sensations, and experiences. As I reflect on and synthesize my experiences, floodgates open for new creative ideas. I record these ideas and refer to them for inspiration. I am strongly influenced by the exuberant colors and patterns of my childhood home in India.

I have come to realize that much of individual experience is shared. I intend to give voice to such universal experiences and themes. These include our search for meaning, the constant inner dialogue, endings and beginnings, and the spiritual lessons - some more poignant and difficult - that we learn throughout our lives.

Themes

My work revolves around four recurring themes: Quest, Soliloquy, Rebirth, and Nirvana. Each of these themes represents a stage of human experience, both personal and universal. I aim to create a space for viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with themselves in a deeper way. Quest is the seeking — for identity, purpose, connection. It manifests in landscapes that stretch into the unknown, using bold texture to evoke the terrain of inner journeys. Soliloquy is the inner dialogue. These pieces often have stillness, restraint, and muted palettes. They invite viewers to pause and listen to their own internal voice. Rebirth is about transformation. In these works, layers are scraped back or reworked to reveal unexpected beauty. It's a celebration of second chances and the wisdom that emerges from pain. Nirvana is transcendence, a letting go. Here, I use luminosity, gold leaf, and light textures to evoke a sense of peace and spiritual release. These are not rigid categories but evolving threads that weave through my work depending on what I am processing internally.

Inspiration

As an avid hiker it is not surprising that nature is one of my biggest sources of inspiration — its expansiveness, stillness, and cycles of renewal often find their way into my work. I’m also inspired by human resilience, transformations, and the quiet moments of introspection we rarely share aloud. My paintings often begin as an emotional charge — a memory, a conversation, or even a fleeting moment of light — and evolve into textured expressions of these internal landscapes.