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Artist Interview: Skanda Ravindra



Skanda, a junior high student, is an ardent follower of the visual art culture and literature surrounding it. He likes to edit, participate in public oration events and code in his free time. He hopes to continue these endeavours in the foreseeable future.


Ravindra's piece, Open Your Eyes Son, was a runner-up in the MoonLit Getaway Grand Opening Contest (Visual Art Category).



Open Your Eyes Son by Skandra Ravindra - Medium: watercolor, acrylic on paper



INTERVIEW


MG: What got you into art? 


SR: Art has been something ubiquitous to me since my childhood. Furthermore, I was known as the artsy kid in my family, which added fuel to my passion. 

I believe it was the initial love for comics and cartoons that got me into art. You know everyone has drawn their favourite superhero or cartoon character at least once in their childhood, and, thankfully, I have kept that artistic fire in me going till this point.


MG: Tell us more about Open Your Eyes Son—what inspired it? What makes it unique?


SR: Open Your Eyes Son was more of a personal observation and a wake-up call for others and myself with respect to the impact that technology has had on the social skills of people nowadays. I noticed more people coming outdoors only to be glued to the world online by sticking to their phones and earphones.

Not that I despise it; it is just sort of disheartening to lose the lively scene of the neighbourhoods, towns, and cities that I grew up looking at in awe.


MG: Are you currently working on anything else?


SR: Not at the moment, although I do enjoy sketching outdoors and creating new paintings from time to time.


MG: What’s your favorite piece you've ever made? Why is it your favorite?


SR: I am of the belief that keeping a favourite—especially in terms of creative art, whether it be visual arts, music, or whatever—is pointless. 


It’s not that I don't have personal preferences, it is just that most creatives have the innate desire to keep improving, which I am sure fellow artists can relate to. And when you keep improving and putting in the effort, having a favourite may not be the most ideal thing; it kind of stalls one from advancing and pushing boundaries.


MG: Are there any artists that inspire the way you make your pieces?


SR: Oh god, there are plenty! I would be shocked if any artist said they didn't have at least one person they’re inspired by. In my case, I look to multiple old masters such as Michelangelo (for human anatomy), Raphael (for human emotions), as well as contemporary ones like Steve Huston and Stan Prokopenko, aka Proko (YouTube).


They inspire me more on the technical and craft side of making art rather than the thematic and conceptual aspects of art. But stil,l they hold great significance to me in my journey as an artist.


MG: Do you have any social media you'd like to share?


SR: Yes I do, I have an Instagram which goes by @skanda_illustrations where I post my art now and then. Feel free to give a follow if you like what you see of my art. :) 


MG: Do you have any advice for other artists?


SR: Not that every artist goes through this, but my advice would be: Don't demean your art and belittle it, Like EVER! (Saying this from the bottom of my heart). I have seen many of my friends, some of whom are genuinely talented in their own right, belittling themselves.


My friend, belittling your hard work and efforts will get you nowhere. Are there some challenges and bumps? Sure! Definitely, there are. But that doesn't give you the right to stop in the middle of a beautiful journey, especially when it's about creating art.

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