“Though I am living in Kochi, a city, my mind is filled with the sceneries of my native village Ottappalam.”
This beautiful village seems to be the inspiration behind Artist Abdul Salim’s breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, paddy fields, snake charmers, dancers and Mahuts riding elephants. Abdul Salim is a Watercolor Artist cum Cartoonist. He was born and bred in picturesque Kerala, India.
Salim experiments with versatile media and art styles such as Watercolor, Oil, Acrylics, Pen and Ink works, Concept Arts, Cartooning, Digital Arts and Caricaturing. He works as an Art teacher in a school at Kochi and also doing professional freelance Illustrations.
Abdul Salim’s works include Vector illustrations, Logos, Typography, Titles, Freehand drawings, Character designing, Architectural Illustrations, Portraits and Caricatures.
He conducts watercolour classes and workshops on weekends.
Q What made you passionate about Art?
A From childhood, painting was my passion. I entered the world of art by drawing cartoons. Then I started my career as an illustrator in a children’s magazine. The comic strips named Cat Police and Pattalam Paily are my creations. At times, I used to experiment with watercolours. My affection with colours grew through the years, which motivated me to specialise in the art of painting.
Q What is the most challenging aspect of working with watercolours?
A The most challenging part in watercolour is to bring the essential colour richness and blending without leaving patch marks. We cant bring the necessary quality if we do not apply the colour depth at the exact time of need. Wet on wet treatment is the only way we can blend colours without leaving patches.
Q Painting is used as a therapy nowadays to relieve stress. What is your observation about it?
A Certainly its a fact. Whether if it’s a workplace or home, we are prone to different kinds of stress. According to me, painting is a relaxing factor. The joy I get when I am indulged in a painting, much more than words could ever express.
Q When you recreate landscapes or portraits in Watercolours, do you like to use photographs as references?
A Sure. I use it. But not in demonstration class.
Q Did you get any kind of professional training in Watercolours?
A No, I don’t. .I have graduated with a Diploma in Fine Arts from Radha Lakshmi Vilasam College of Music and Fine Arts Kochi. It helped me to sharpen my skills. But with regard to watercolours, I did not get any training.I am a self-taught artist in watercolour.
Q You have a great teaching experience. Please tell us something about it?
A We should be students always. This approach helps me to find new techniques.
Q What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
A ‘Journey’. It’s my childhood memories. At those days I have been following elephants a lot. I have that nostalgia towards the painting. I’m sad that it’s now sold out.
Q Who is your favourite artist?
A Sanjay Bhatt acharya. He inspired me a lot.
Q How does the presence of audience affect the process of painting while you demonstrate?
A Presence of an audience doesn’t affect me. I enjoy it. At the same time, it’s challenging to complete the painting within a short span of time without making them bored.
Q What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work?
A When I do a work, I want people to have that joy and satisfaction which I have while doing it. I don’t work only for my satisfaction. Interestingly, there was a debate about my work JOURNEY, whether it is a painting or a photoshopped image. And that Art Work was sold for a higher price.
JOURNEY- Watercolour Painting by Abdul Salim Kochi
→ Award for Watercolour at the state level, by the Kerala Education Department, 2004
→ South Indian zone Award for Watercolor Painting by the Camel Art Foundation India, 2006
→ State Award for Cartoon and Gold medal for watercolour painting by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.
(Kerala Lalithakala Academy is a government organisation which recognises superior artworks every year through its awards) 2010
→ International achievement in the year – A Honorable Mention Award by 8th Continental Watercolor Art-Yang, Taiwan, 2016
‘THIRSTY’ By Abdul Salim Kochi was awarded the 8th Biennial Continental Watercolor Art-Yang Honourable Mention Award, Taiwan.
Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore, France, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
Lalitha Kala Academy Annual State Exhibition – at Durbar Hall Art Gallery, Kochi, K
Click to see some of his Art Work here
“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” said Vincent van Gogh. We hope Abdul Salim Kochi would seek more and inspire generations to come with his art.
We at FemAsia wish Abdul Salim Kochi all the very best in his future endeavours.
♥ You can contact Abdul Salim Kochi
art.salim@gmail.com
www.abdulsalimart.com
www.facebook.com/AbdulSalimKochiWatercolor
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