Tanuja is a textile artist. She works from her quaint studio in Bhubaneswar. Her canvas is a  tote, tea towel or even a stole. Let’s find out more about the artist, read on.

Tell us a bit about yourself

An avid traveller, bird watcher and dreamer. I’m a self-taught artist and I paint over products for you to use and not just hang up on a wall. Leaving my corporate job, I made it possible to tour around India and that has been a major inspiration for me and my work.

I’m based in Bhubaneswar (Odisha), where I create all my hand-crafted products, market and sell them.

How did you begin Shop with ‘Tanuja’ and how has it evolved over the years?

After quitting my stable job, I looked for a creative way of sustaining myself. Here my artistic skills came to my rescue. It’s been three years since I started my venture of hand-painted products and I have had some absolute positive responses. Starting from simple painted bags, it has now evolved into a variety of bags, sarees, soft toys, scarves and lot more. Slowly but steadily it has grown into an established craft endeavour. I encourage the use of eco-friendly cotton bags as a good replacement over non-biodegradable ones.

Why is making so important to you?

Making has always been important to me as a medium to express myself. It’s my personal effort to create something eco-friendly, cost effective and reusable for my own use and others. If there is anything which could be created instead of buying, I have done that.

Your favorite work essentials and tools.

My favourite work tools are acrylic paints and brushes

What is a typical working day, like.

My typical day at work involves working on orders, dealing with clients, painting, sewing, updating on social networking sites as well as experimenting and learning new stuffs. I usually work late nights.

Your inspirations. 

I have been lucky to grow around artistic and crafty people and they have been my motivation all the way through. My nature outings, bird watching and treks are all additional to that.

Handmade in India / Make in India – what does this mean to you?

Handmade is India means a lot, for we really need to promote and support our art and crafts based in India, be it traditional or contemporary. It’s significant that we help them get recognised not only in national level but beyond that.

What are you displaying at the By Hand, From The Heart.

I would be displaying a lot of hand-painted products such as earthy cotton bags, scarves and plushies with motifs of birds, butterflies and some graphic designs. They are very versatile and easy to go.

The new products added this time are clay based fridge magnets, paperweights and figurines all painted beautifully by me. It’s overall made for a collectors delight. Most creations are nature themed as that is my major inspiration. You will also find a lot of Owls. Everything is very much usable and pretty.

Your earlier By Hand From The Heart Makers Market experience.

As an artist and entrepreneur, I have had wonderful experience at By Hand From The Heart: Makers Market.  It’s very well curated and the crowd is amazing who value your effort of hand-crafted products. I have made good connection in Chennai and through it I keep coming back to this beautiful city and people.

Meet the Maker @
By Hand From The Heart Makers Market 24th Edition
Friday – Saturday
24th – 25th August, 2018
10:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m
Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, (old Adyar Gate Hotel)
132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018, India.

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