INTERVIEW WITH Trupty Somaiah By B.C. Thimmaiah

Trupty Somaiah occupies a distinctive realm within the digital and traditional art landscape. Primarily focused on creating and customising art and design, her works stand as a captivating study in contrasts and intricate detail, predominantly exploring shades of black and white.

Her artworks have been exhibited in galleries of major cities worldwide including New York, Miami, Tokyo, Milan, Rome, Toronto, Mumbai, New Delhi, Kochi and Bengaluru.

In a candid conversation at Star of Mysore office, Trupty Somaiah delves into her career as an artist, her experiences collaborating with clients and the profound impact of digital art on society and culture. Read on…

Star of Mysore (SOM): When did you decide to pursue art as a career and what led you to focus your work on the digital realm?

Trupty Somaiah: I have an art background and after a long hiatus, I rediscovered my passion in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I initially returned to art through dot work, using a pen for convenience. At first, I created pieces for myself, but as I shared them online, I received positive feedback and requests for commissioned artwork. I started using an iPad and this enabled me to explore customised art further and I found that I excelled in this area.

As my online presence grew, I came across the ‘Plated Project,’ a competition seeking digital format artworks and I transformed my traditional pieces into digital copies. To my surprise, I won, prompting me to make my profile public. This opened doors to the digital realm.

SOM: Can you elaborate on  traditional and digital art?

Trupty: In essence, my traditional artwork involves meticulous, hand-drawn pieces bursting with colour and intricacy, crafted painstakingly.

This method demands intense focus and concentration, often feeling akin to a meditative practice. It also takes time and is hard to  find buyers.

Though I seamlessly transitioned between traditional and digital mediums, I concentrated on digital art and found financial stability by venturing into the realm of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

SOM: What are your primary sources of inspiration?

Trupty: They stem from the strength and courage inherent in women, qualities often underrepresented but present in every woman. I am drawn to beauty in various forms, from the elegance of a meticulously arranged pile of books to the symmetry found in everyday objects.

Additionally, I find inspiration in ordinary objects like bottles and flowers, often combining them in unexpected ways to create compelling compositions. At first, my artistic exploration was confined to specific themes, but now I revel in the freedom to explore diverse subjects.

SOM: Describe your art process between ideation and finalisation.

Trupty: The process begins with identifying the emotion I aim to convey through the piece. Whether it’s beauty, sadness, excitement or any other emotion, this initial decision sets the tone for the entire composition.

I start by researching and deeply studying reference images, focusing on realistic elements that can evoke the desired mood or emotion. Once I gather inspiration, I move on to creating rough sketches and composing the images.

I often employ the rule of thirds — dividing the canvas into thirds vertically and horizontally, aligning key elements according to the natural movement of the viewer’s gaze. This technique helps emphasise focal points and build around the central concept of the artwork.

Despite lacking formal training beyond my art background, this approach allows me to express myself authentically and connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.

SOM: How do you balance artistic expression and client demands?

Trupty: While artistic freedom can sometimes be limited by client specifications, I’ve been fortunate to attract clients who appreciate my unique style and seek artwork based on it. However, I also enjoy embracing challenges and finding a balance between my artistic expression and the client’s requirements.

SOM: How do you see digital art shaping society and culture in the long term?

Trupty: Traditional oil paintings were considered the pinnacle of artistic expression. With the emergence of digital art and now the advent of AI-based art, there is an understandable apprehension and insecurity among traditional artists.

It’s important to recognise that different art forms do not threaten each other; rather, they often complement one another and contribute to the rich diversity of artistic expression.

I feel by embracing change and evolving alongside new developments while maintaining a solid artistic foundation, artists can continue to thrive and excel in an ever-evolving artistic landscape.

SOM: What role does technology play in your artistic endeavours?

Trupty: Technology has revolutionised every aspect of my artistic journey, from the initial ideation phase to the final sale of my work. Without the reach of technology, my art would have remained confined to a limited audience, but through online platforms, I’ve been able to garner global recognition.

Whether it’s inquiries from New York, Malaysia, Singapore or other distant places, social media serves as the primary avenue through which people reach out to me to inquire about my work.

SOM: Tell us about your aspirations and the road ahead.

Trupty: It’s essential to realise that there are numerous paths to success and fulfilment beyond traditional professions like engineering or medicine.

I want to inspire others and to live authentically, pursue my dreams and find fulfilment in every aspect of my life, regardless of external pressures or expectations.