What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The best thing that I love about my work is the freedom; it doesn’t feel like work work- it’s more like play to me, more like doing something that I love to do! It gives me immense joy when I can paint my heart out; it gives me wings to fly away from the monotony of my present.

I am a self-taught artist; I work spontaneously and mainly for myself. It is something that heals me, gives me hope and makes me feel free. I like to work without rules or plans or any notebooks. It is just my raw emotions oozing out, and I let them flow!

What is my idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is to splash my colours out, paint something that I haven’t done before, or to browse through other artists’ works. Doing art and living with art makes me happy.

What is my greatest fear?

I have few nightmares; one of them is a bizarre one- what if one day I wake up and I am not able to paint anymore! That would be absolutely painful for me for sure! Also, the thought of losing someone I love makes me scared.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I am very impatient and at times way too hyper. I wish I had more patience!

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I really admire artist and my friend Deborah Gardner; her abstracts, her ink works, her collages are absolutely phenomenal. I met her on Instagram and have been a huge fan of her since the very beginning of my Instagram journey. We are good friends, too.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I buy a lot of paint and art supplies. I just can’t stop! So, every time I am near an art supply store, my basket gets full really quickly!

On what occasion would I lie?

Very tough one! I hate lies, so if I ever have to lie, I might do that only not to hurt someone’s feelings, may be! 

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Doing paper works! And the selling part! Painting itself is fun, but when it comes to selling them, not too fun for me!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I recently did few book-covers and also a CD cover. I was really happy to see my covers coming to life, really exciting stuff!

If I could, what would I change about myself?

I would be more patient! I would also work on my social skills may be! I am very introvert in real life.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

When someone writes to me how my artworks make them smile or feel emotional- it feels absolutely fantastic! I love getting feedbacks from my followers and friends; they inspire me to do it more, they make me go stronger.

Where would I most like to live?

I would love to live with my parents in Bangladesh, where I am originally from! I am the happiest when I am with them!

What is my most treasured possession?

My books, my paintings, my colours, my family!

What is my most marked characteristic?

Kindness. I try my best to spread love and kindness among the people around me.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

I live in London; the buzz and the vibe are just amazing! I love visiting galleries here and all those museums. Tate Modern is very inspirational to me, my all-time favourite place to go.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I love eating Thai food. There are few absolutely amazing Thai restaurants in London where I love to eat and drink with friends.

What books influenced my life and how?

I love poetry! No wonder many of my artworks are heavily inspired by Charles Bukowski, Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, Rudyard Kipling, Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das or Sylvia Plath. The emotions and the messages in their powerful poems spark those butterfly feelings for me that inspire me to translate them into my own forms of poetries – my artworks.  

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

‘Fly Me to the Moon’- I love the version by The Macarons Project.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

There are way too many, right now I am thinking about Elizabeth from ‘Pride and Prejudice’. 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My mum and dad- they are my real heroes. They both are poets and amazing teachers.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Wow, just one? That is hard! I would probably go for ‘Forrest Gump’.

What role play stories in my life and work?

I love telling stories through my colours! I think every artwork carries its own story. My artworks do connect me with my inner soul and it does bring out whatever inner wisdom I have in there. It is the world of unlimited possibilities for me to experience as an artist. It is all about adding those thought-provoking sensations-adding all those feelings and thrills, all those burns and bruises- I really believe that every artwork is a story-teller itself.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

‘You are the storyteller of your own life’- it means that it is no one but me who has the absolute power and ability to shape my own life. Sensible decisions, strong will power and focus- that is all we need to shape up things for us. It is foolish to depend on others for our own happiness. At the end of the day it is me who is holding the key; others might come and go, but I am staying here as a story teller of my own life.

There are exceptions, there are special someones, but we should not rely wholly on others for any decision making that can affect our very own life-stories.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My sisters and my daughter.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?

I would love to work with more galleries and art collectors for sure. And some more fun collaborations!

I would love to meet so many of my artist-friends from different parts of the globe that I met online. They encourage me every single day, so it would be amazing to meet any of them in real life!

What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on?

I am currently on talk about a group art exhibition in London, so it is something that I am looking forward to work on.

Where can you see me or my work in 2021?

I am on Instagram @rainbowsnfireflies, on Twitter @IshikaGuha2, on LinkedIn @Ishika Guha; on Saatchi Art and for NFT I am with Foundation. You can see my work on any of these platforms. My website is http://www.ishikaguha.com.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Passion never stops, it’s that very light that guides us through the darkness, keeps us motivated to move forward and to dream for more !

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

You can invite Adam Norgaard, a brilliant artist and a very good friend of mine. I am currently working with another talented artist and one of my closest friends Pratik Chitte; we are running a fantastic art-sharing page @involutemagazine on Instagram featuring artists from all over the world!

You can invite Pratik on your blog for sure.

I would also love to see my artist-friends Barbara Vogel, Matt Hamer or Benedict Olorunnisomo on your blog– all of them are fantastic artists from different parts of the globe!

How can you contact me?

I am on Instagram @rainbowsnfireflies, on Twitter @IshikaGuha2, on LinkedIn @Ishika Guha; and my website is www.ishikaguha.com.