Lake pigments. Image courtesy of Jyotsna Pippal.
JYOTSNA PIPPAL
As a trained biochemist and molecular biologist with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and chemistry, a postgraduate degree in clinical biochemistry and nutrition, a Ph.D. in nuclear receptor biology, and several postdoctoral positions under my belt, I never imagined that I would become an artist.
However, after almost two decades in academia, I made the decision to leave my research position when I entered motherhood. This transition led me to reconnect with a dormant passion for art that had been sparked by a chance encounter with hand-painted tribal artwork in a derelict hut in the Western Ghats in India during a solo hike in 1997. The simplicity and use of natural colors in the paintings made a lasting impression on me.
In 2016, I began experimenting with natural pigments in my art, and I was immediately captivated by the alchemy of natural colors. I have found a way to combine my scientific knowledge with my artistic passion to create sustainable watercolor art that reflects my deep respect and care for the natural world.
My career as an artist has evolved to focus on using natural pigments that I grow myself or forage. This connection to the natural world is what inspires me every day, and it has become my passion. Growing and foraging for pigments is not only a way for me to relax and express myself, but it also allows me to communicate my love and respect for the environment through my creative processes. It has become my career path, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my sustainable creative process with the world.
Earth pigments. Image courtesy of Jyotsna Pippal.
Image courtesy of Jyotsna Pippal.
Image courtesy of Jyotsna Pippal.