Today we’d like to introduce you to Aparna Pottabathni.
Hi Aparna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi! I am Aparna, a residential landscape designer and an artist in Frisco, Texas. I help home enthusiasts immerse in their living spaces by connecting them to the beauty of nature and art.
My career took off as an architect practicing residential designs in India. After graduating with a master’s in landscape architecture from UIUC (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), I continued working in landscape architecture. Fast forward a couple of years, I created a niche for myself as a residential landscape designer crafting seamless indoor-outdoor spaces.
As a designer, I am trained to problem solve and reimagine outdoor living spaces. And sometimes that meant working long odd hours. The tedious lifestyle resulted in me coming down hard with a vertigo about three years ago. My own body needed solutions and I failed to see the inevitable. One morning, I had barely taken two steps out of bed and the whole room kept spinning. I felt like I lived a scene straight out of ‘Inception’ except this wasn’t a movie…I was living it.
Life as I knew it suddenly changed. Standing on my own two feet or even doing regular home chores without being overcome with darkness seemed like a herculean task. My body needed a lot of healing. And that’s when I sought solace through painting and gardening. Being connected with my motor skills through watercolors and gardening alleviated my anxiety and induced a state of calm.
Out of this adversity emerged my professional practice as an artist. I made several changes to my work lifestyle which included being more mindful and appreciating the ordinary things. Since then, I unleash my creativity on a daily basis as a way of channeling my negative energy into something more uplifting, spontaneous, fluid and uncontrolled.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The most daunting thing for me as an entrepreneur is my insistence that “all my ducks get in a row”…but ducks never get in a row. It took me a while to understand that empires aren’t built in one day. I challenged myself to do a little bit every day towards my business consistently and persistently. I’ve also taken charge of learning the ins and outs of my craft.
Also, I have embraced some strategies to balance between my business and my family life. One has been to fit break times to rage against the weeds in my garden especially “nut-sedge”. I continue to work toward setting boundaries and intentionally leaving my work personality behind at work. Being intentionally present for my family has helped me.
Another challenge I faced was drawing comparisons with other accomplished artists. I realized this happened when I spent too much time scrolling through social media rather than creating. It led me to feeling both pressured and compelled to create art for the sake of trending content. So, I took a complete break from all socials and immersed myself in creation. Self-reflection and looking inward brought more clarity to my distinct voice and style. Developing positive mindset habits like journaling, reinforcing myself with positive affirmations, and surrounding around a diverse set of entrepreneurs has motivated me to succeed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My art deeply imprints on my architectural career. Anything routine that moves me, I capture on the canvas in a play of colors.
There is a symbiotic method between my landscape designs and my landscape paintings: composition; focal point; depth; and perspective. I convey the riot of nature’s colors and textures.
I see my works having layers like a garden unfolding. I unveil nature’s fascinating elemental magic … a journey of poetry and mysticism all tied in light & shadow.
I paint in watercolors, acrylics, and digital media. Watercolor fascinates me due to its versatile and fluid nature. You’ll find my works play with techniques of wet-on-wet, dry-brush, and pouring. In an array of rich pigments, I bring a rhythm of splashing colors in an ebb & flow.
Through my art, I take you on an introspective journey of wonder.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
1. I like all my mugs facing the same direction.
2. My husband and I at times like our imaginations run and wonder what we’d do to fortify our home from zombies or aliens.
3. My rake and shovel are my eternal stress relievers.
4. I am a plant whisperer. I enjoy having long one on one conversations with my plant buddies. Telling them how beautiful they are and embracing them nurtures me.
5. I am peevish about the sanctity of my IPAD Pro.
6. I religiously clean my paint brushes right after every use. In fact, I find peeling thick paint off my brushes most therapeutic.
7. I have a daily appointment with my bathroom mirror to remind me how awesome I am and empower me to slay the dragons of the day.
8. Prior to marrying my husband, I had no idea who Clark Kent was. Thanks to him, I have now fully transformed into a sci-fi geek.
9. Now and then, I imagine myself being a SUPERMOM with speed cleaning powers.
Pricing:
- The Everyday Deal, Watercolor, 20″w. x 16″ ht., $450.00
- Crouching in the Haze, Watercolor, 28″w. x 22″ ht., $800.00
- I am your Rest, Watercolor, 16″ w. x 20″ ht., $450.00
- Through the Rips and Tides, Watercolor, 16″ w. x 20″ ht., $450.00
- Getting Even, Watercolor, 16″ w. x 20″ ht., $450.00
Contact Info:
- Email: aparna.agallery@gmail.com
- Website: https://aparnagallery.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aparnagallery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aparnagallery/
- Other: https://aparna-pottabathni.pixels.com/
Image Credits
Prasanth Pottabathni