Today we’d like to introduce you to Srujana K
Hi Srujana, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Srujana. I’m a techie by day and a creative by night, while being a mom to a sweet little child who fills my world with delight! I’m an artist, writer, self-taught illustrator and a speaker, passionate about storytelling, creative expression, mindfulness and self discovery. Growing up, I’ve always enjoyed various forms of creative expression and art ranging from drawing, painting to music, dance, fashion and theatre. From the age of six, drawing came naturally to me and my art teachers encouraged me to never let go of this gift. But as life unfolded, creative pursuits were no longer in sight, as the pressures of wining the ‘rat race’ pulled me away from my creative path. It was not until after grad school that I realized the need for creative expression. I started drawing again while sharing my art, thoughts, perspectives and snippets of my creative journey through a personal blog – Aura with Writing.
My passion for technology and drawing made me try digital art 6 years ago. What started out as a hobby slowly blossomed into a healing practice that led to a beautiful and life changing transformative experience. It took a great deal of inner turmoil and a spiritual awakening to realize what art & creative expression truly mean to me and my life. Writing and art practice over the years made me reconnect with my inner child and made me continue pursing my creative calling that couldn’t be ignored anymore. In this process, I got to connect with like minded individuals and creatives across the globe over social media, collaborate with them and create meaningful art for causes that matter, while trying to make a difference in whatever capacity through gifts bestowed upon me.
I’m also passionate about mindfulness and self discovery, which has inspired me to share my insights, learnings and experiences on social media, as a guest on podcasts and through volunteer work at non-profit organizations. These opportunities allow me to spread awareness about creativity, mindfulness and their transformative power, encouraging others to explore their own journeys of personal growth.
As a multifaceted artist I’m dedicated to exploring the depths of creativity, self expression and storytelling which helps me create, reflect and connect with the world in a meaningful way
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been anything but smooth. Coming from a South Asian background where only the traditional paths of engineering, medicine or law are perceived as the ultimate destinations; considering creative pursuits or even the thought of dedicating time for art used to feel very meaningless. This pulled me away from honing my natural gifts from a young age. Took me 28 years to get back to it!
Lack of art practice or storytelling over the years made me lose touch with my authentic self. Even though it all looked good in the books as per societal standards. there was a deep sense of void within. Getting back to creative expression slowly helped heal that void.
Creativity is meant to be shared. As much as an artist loves creating for experiencing inner joy, creatives crave being seen and discovered. Every creative wants their craft to go beyond their four walls. As much as nobody needs to seek validation, a creative yearns to be seen, heard and connect to the world through their gifts.
Another big challenge for me personally was to boil down a niche and find my ideal audience. Since social media is driven by algorithms that favor a niche, I struggled to stick to a single category for the longest time.
As a multi faceted creative who enjoys a variety of crafts and finds equal joy in all of them, limiting myself to a niche or an art form to merely grow on social media did not feel authentic to me. The constant pull- push of creating and churning out content, trying to fit into a box, or the inability to find the right audience for my work has led me into frustration multiple times over the years. It can get challenging to thrive for any creative when there is lack of reciprocation as we tend to drown in immense self doubt.
But with time, I’ve learnt to embrace the uniqueness of enjoying multiple forms of creative expression and acknowledging the fulfillment it gives rather than limiting myself to a niche or stressing over growth on social media. I have learned to prioritize authenticity over seeking approval.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My creative journey has been shaped by a rich tapestry of experiences, blending my background in technology with a passion for storytelling and art. As a self taught illustrator I have embraced and continue to embrace the beauty of learning through experimentation and exploration. Each artwork and illustration is an extension of my inner world- either as a vibrant expression of story telling for children or quirky self portraits or inspired by cultural narratives and spiritual concepts that resonate with me, or mere reminders of self love! I love creating colorful art for meaningful causes that help spread awareness and create a visual imagery for the audience to remember. I strive to create art that either inspires, empowers, or brings joy to others, etching their memorable moments into vibrant illustrations. I specialize in Custom Illustrations, Hindu Art and Bespoke Invitations in different styles.
Words entice me and through writing, I weave narratives that reflect my beliefs and experiences with personal empowerment, self- love, creativity, mindfulness and self- discovery. My writings and stories either challenge the status quo, bust stereotypes or aim to empower readers encouraging them to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. My work comprises of published poignant articles, short stories, flash fiction across various online platforms. Many publishers have highlighted the unique voice in my writing. I strive to bring authenticity and depth to each piece of work.
As a speaker I share insights on self- discovery, mindfulness, spirituality, creativity and self- love for fellow mothers while pursuing their goals or respective creative journeys. My talks are infused with passion for authenticity, self- love and continuous learning, inviting the audience to engage with concepts that foster introspection and transformation. I aim to create a space for meaningful conversations that encourage exploration of one’s own creative path & growth.
I’m an amalgamation of unique life experiences, multiple creative gifts and authenticity. The end result in any of my works is just as unique!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
When starting out with anything new; almost all of us experience multiple occasions of indulging in self doubt. My only advice/ reminder that I use for myself as well is to embrace the journey more than the destination. As creatives, there will be more than normal number of scenarios where we would want to give up due to various reasons. It’s essential to remember our Why- Why we started what we started and why we do what we do. Creatives create for the mere joy it brings- irrespective of the outcome.
The state of flow that a creative experiences when creating a piece of art or writing or music is what needs to be embraced more; rather than the end result or destination. It’s easy to get caught in the game of comparison or perfection in any field- but trusting the process, holding on to faith and embracing our uniqueness while being authentic will help us evolve into better artists/ creatives or human beings.
There are no mistakes, only lessons!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aurawithwriting.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurawithwriting7/
