Akshay Arts

Akshay Arts is my little spot over in Budhwar Peth on Adugodi Road 627 and it is usually a bit of a mess with paint and frames. I have been working here for a long time and the walls are covered in bits of wood and old samples that I never got around to throwing away. The street outside is always packed with people and motorbikes so it can be quite loud but once you step inside the smell of wood glue and oil paint takes over. I spend a lot of time at the cutting table getting the corners of frames to match up and sometimes my hands are covered in gold leaf or just plain black ink. We have got stacks of glass leaning against the back wall so you have to be careful where you walk. People bring in all sorts of things they want framed like old photos or some embroidery their grandmother made. I also do some sign painting when someone asks for it. It is the kind of work where you are on your feet all day and your apron gets more colorful every year. The lighting is not great but I have a big lamp over my main workspace that helps. Budhwar Peth is a busy market area so there is always something happening right outside the door which keeps things interesting for us.