Nayanaa Kanodia

This is where I work, at Samudra Tarang on Keluskar Road, right by Shivaji Park. It’s a lovely spot in Mumbai. You can often feel the breeze coming off the sea, which makes the studio a nice place to spend the day. I’ve been here for quite some time, surrounded by my canvases and paints. The neighborhood is usually full of life with people walking in the park or heading down to the water. Inside the studio, it’s a bit of a different world. It’s mostly quiet, filled with the smell of oil paints and turpentine. There are stacks of frames against the walls and paintings in various stages of being finished. I don’t really follow a strict corporate schedule. I just come in and work on whatever piece needs attention. Sometimes friends or people interested in art stop by to see what’s new. It’s a very personal space. The light in this building is quite good for painting, especially in the mornings. I’ve got my favorite brushes and a desk that’s seen better days, but it works for me. Shivaji Park has a lot of history, and living and working around here feels very grounded. It’s not a big gallery with white walls and bright lights. It’s just a room where things get created. I spend most of my hours here, just observing things and putting them down on canvas in my own way.