Where I Long To Be Painting

Born in Mumbai, India, surrounded by artists and musicians, Neelam quickly discovered her creative spirit and developed a keen interest in various forms of art. After earning a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Mumbai, Neelam emigrated to the United States in 1984. While raising her family, she pursued further studies in Computer Graphics. She worked for two years as a Computer Graphics Designer, and then underwent training in Web Designing as well as Computer Programming. While employed as a web programmer for a large telecommunications company, she indulged her artistic inclinations by painting on glass, wood, fabrics, and canvas. Following a layoff during the economic downturn of 2001, she transitioned into a full-time floorcloth artist, specializing in hand-painted canvas rugs. Her floorcloth designs draw inspiration from Colonial American wall and floor patterns. Noted for their historical accuracy and museum-quality craftsmanship, her work has earned recognition from Early American Life magazine as a leading floorcloth artist. With a portfolio boasting over 19,000 square feet of floorcloths, each piece reflects her creativity and unwavering dedication. Her floorcloths grace numerous museums across the United States, as well as period homes and private collections. Renowned for her commitment to historical accuracy, her designs captivate with their meticulous details and period authenticity. As her reputation burgeons, so does the demand for her distinctive creations, with museums actively seeking to feature her work. In addition to her historically-inspired designs, she also crafts unique abstract floorcloths, further showcasing her versatility and artistic prowess. After 14 years as a full-time floorcloth artist, Neelam found the creative process to be pleasing yet repetitive. However, studying the works of Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, V. S. Gaitonde, and S. H. Raza revealed to her the freedoms of abstraction. Neelam’s initial paintings were geometric, which did not come spontaneously. Starting with pencil sketches, she used her computer skills to create multiple digital representations before painting on canvas. This methodical process came naturally because of her graphic design training, but she continued to perceive a void in her creative mind. However, an unplanned immersion into spirituality released her from the comfort zone and gave her the courage to express feelings freely.