Sakshi Jain is a recent graduate who believes in her work and spreading art wherever she can. She wants to empower the community through what she creates and you’ll be glad to know that young artists like her have such a firm head on her shoulders. Her interview will get you thinking about the times in your life that you tried an artistic endeavour or two.
Just to introduce yourself, if you aren’t freelancing, where are you working and what’s your current job title?
I completed my under graduation in Animation Film Design from Symbiosis Institute of Design last year. Presently I’m working on personal projects, freelance work and I also conduct art workshops for kids sometimes.
Tell us about your journey from discovering your craft to acquiring the skill you have now.
My journey has been simple and smooth. I always used to make something or other, secretively in my room. Got caught a lot of times. My parents sent me to a design school. My life has never been so joyous before that.
After dealing with various demands from clients and/or bosses, what’s that one experience that you learned the most from?
People think differently than you do. Sometimes you won’t easily get what they want because even they don’t exactly know what they want. Well, provide them with lots of references and doodles. Do they still seem to be very confused? Say goodbye to them for your own good.
In the whole world, whose work do you aspire yours to be like? And what attracts you to appreciate what they do?
I do not want my work to be a replica of someone else’s work. I want my work to have its own style. Marija Tiurina, Daniel Segrove, Maggie Chiang, Rune Fisker, Agnes Cecile, Alex Gamsu Jenkins, Marianne Engedal, Laura Berger are a few names of many, I appreciate. The list keeps on adding up as I keep on exploring new artists. I appreciate their individual style and thought process behind the work.
What do people not realize about your work/area of expertise?
My artwork is open to interpretations but people try to find my thoughts behind the work. They want to see it from my eyes and underestimate their own thoughts. Which is not what I like and want.
Which project of yours are you particularly proud of? Could you tell us a little about it?
My degree project; Perpetual Chase. It is a 2D animation film done in Photoshop that was inspired by what I saw with my eyes shut. It is an attempt to visually depict various dreams which are apparently connected through an unknown similarity. The whole collage of these visuals is open to interpretation and provides a visual experience that is surreal.
Can we have a piece of advice that helps you with your own workflow?
First thing I do, make a lot of doodles to make myself comfortable with the character and their posture or background or the style I’ll work in. For illustrations done traditionally, most of my work is directly by pen. I keep an extra paper to make a miniature version that acts as a reference for the strokes/ pattern I’ll be using. The ones done digitally are refined over multiple iterations.
For animation (I’m into 2D cell animation), the initial process is the same as above. Then, next is to make the animatic to check the look and feel. And then I finally animate by first making the key poses then by filling the in-betweens.
So, what are you working on now?
I write, sometimes. Presently I am making a series of illustrations on what I have written. The text below: It was fun shaping you, forming you into something, how my eyes saw you. It was really fun until you thought you were ready. But for me, I wanted you to be something what my eyes never saw. 
Where do you see yourself in the future?
My aim is to create a channel of communication through art for the society which explores the modern dilemma of human existence. Further along, open a creative studio which would provide a platform for alternative artists to come together, discuss, and brainstorm to create new art forms thus empowering the community at large. I have been volunteering for NGOs by conducting art workshops for underprivileged kids, I would like to continue this even in the future.
How do you unwind and refresh your creative juices?
Watch movies from different languages. Surf the internet, look at different artist’s works. Go for walks, observe. Write whatever whenever something comes to mind. Sleep, my dreams have been a very good resource.
Have you ever tried out a completely different creative field? If yes, how did that turn out?
Yes, beside animating and illustrating, I crochet, stitch, do photography, make puppets, bind books and have crafted many other things. Working in just one medium gets too monotonous and I get bored very easily. Creating different things with my hands has always been relaxing and refreshing.
If you had to start afresh in the industry today, would you choose a different path and if so, what would it be?
No, I wouldn’t. I love what I do.
If you could claim that any one person’s work in India was yours, who would it be?
We have so many talented artists here in India. I appreciate and respect their work but I would not like to claim anybody’s work to be mine, unless it is my own.
Now that you’re getting/you have a firm foothold in the creative world, what would you like to say to ‘all the haters’?
Thank you for getting me here. You have also contributed to whatever I am now or will be in future. 🙂
Quick Questions
Favourite font?
Favourite movie?
A book everybody should read?
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
Your quick tip to everybody who does the same job as you?
Believe in yourself, never stop doing what you like. Art is subjective, you will always find people who will like or dislike your work.
What’s the best project you’ve seen on IndieFolio?
Prathamesh Shedge – Pen Sketches.
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