creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
SWAROOP MORESHWAR
Greetings in Jesus Christ,
I am Ms. Swaroop Moreshwar, from India. I come from a business family to which the faculty of art has been alien. I believe it has been God's plan that I had an undeniable urge and inclination towards drawing and painting in the early years while at school. As a child, I went through a phase of confusion during which I wasn’t able to express myself to anyone, and I didn’t even know that I was supposed to talk about my feelings. Somehow, I gather that “loneliness” is what you call it. This was the phase when I started painting and expressing myself relentlessly, which bloomed into an inevitable beauty of creating paintings. Presently, I am a student pursuing an MBA and do part-time teaching, and it brings me utmost joy to carry on the legacy of Christian paintings with which I have been blessed. I believe the purpose for my life is to honor the Lord with my work of art and to bring encouragement to every distressed soul.
Instagram: @swaroop_arts
DM to buy/collaborate
I am Ms. Swaroop Moreshwar, from India. I come from a business family to which the faculty of art has been alien. I believe it has been God's plan that I had an undeniable urge and inclination towards drawing and painting in the early years while at school. As a child, I went through a phase of confusion during which I wasn’t able to express myself to anyone, and I didn’t even know that I was supposed to talk about my feelings. Somehow, I gather that “loneliness” is what you call it. This was the phase when I started painting and expressing myself relentlessly, which bloomed into an inevitable beauty of creating paintings. Presently, I am a student pursuing an MBA and do part-time teaching, and it brings me utmost joy to carry on the legacy of Christian paintings with which I have been blessed. I believe the purpose for my life is to honor the Lord with my work of art and to bring encouragement to every distressed soul.
Instagram: @swaroop_arts
DM to buy/collaborate
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
As a child, I was extremely lonely. I would draw a lot and expressed my feelings in the form of drawings. I remember drawing a lonely girl on the swing, a lonely girl sitting in the park with her back at the world and many more of such drawings, which depicted mu situation at the time. I didn’t even paint back then. I didn’t know of any other way to express myself other than just sketching out my situation. At the age of 18, I started going to church and felt comforted and felt His peace in my heart. I learnt more and more about His love, His peace and His grace. It was then that I knew there is a power above all, and I started seeking him. God started breathing over my thoughts, my mind and I could feel the breath of God, wiping off the loneliness. Soon after, I started with calligraphy of Bible verses and creating a painting around it too. My paintings no more depicted my loneliness and depression, because it didn’t exist anymore. My heart became so full of His love that it started to reflect in my artwork. Everything that the devil intended to destroy in my life, God used it as a momentum to push me with a great velocity towards the accomplishment and fruition of the art that he would bring in my life. People started to notice my work and often referred to me as an “artist”. I believe they were just giving me God’s message!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
In the initial days, never. There was no such thought of doing so because I was only doing it as a form of expression. It was purely done out of my love for God and never believed that I would ever develop a kind of art that would be sellable. I always thought art was only a form of expression for me and never thought of myself as an “artist”. However, God's thoughts exceed our thoughts, as it in written in the Word, and I realized that He has bigger plans. I received a lot of compliments over the years for my artworks and I really have a heart to sell them, because it’s not just paintings, but rather the Word of God and the anointing that follows it. So yes, I would love to sell my artwork and use the proceedings from it for the kingdom of God. As far as teaching is concerned, it will be an absolute joy to be able to teach aspiring artists with the knowledge that I possess and help them grow as an artist.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
I come from a business family. I always felt like an outsider when it came to my art. Over the years I have faced many challenges. A lot of times I was made fun of for spending my time on painting. It would hurt a lot to be humiliated by the people whom you expect to understand you the most. It was always a task to explain to family and friends why I do what I do. As a matter of fact, I still struggle with it sometimes. Many a times they would never understand the purpose behind it. I somehow find it very difficult to convey to people around me that there is a purpose behind my paintings even if they feel it’s of no use or just a waste of time. I try and explain to them that maybe someone out there will see my artwork and be encouraged for a lifetime. Sometimes it works, most of the times it doesn’t. All these things would lead to discouragement and I would go days without creating art and feeling empty. But the more I sought after God, I was encouraged to continue to paint in spite of what I knew people thought about my art.
As a child, I was extremely lonely. I would draw a lot and expressed my feelings in the form of drawings. I remember drawing a lonely girl on the swing, a lonely girl sitting in the park with her back at the world and many more of such drawings, which depicted mu situation at the time. I didn’t even paint back then. I didn’t know of any other way to express myself other than just sketching out my situation. At the age of 18, I started going to church and felt comforted and felt His peace in my heart. I learnt more and more about His love, His peace and His grace. It was then that I knew there is a power above all, and I started seeking him. God started breathing over my thoughts, my mind and I could feel the breath of God, wiping off the loneliness. Soon after, I started with calligraphy of Bible verses and creating a painting around it too. My paintings no more depicted my loneliness and depression, because it didn’t exist anymore. My heart became so full of His love that it started to reflect in my artwork. Everything that the devil intended to destroy in my life, God used it as a momentum to push me with a great velocity towards the accomplishment and fruition of the art that he would bring in my life. People started to notice my work and often referred to me as an “artist”. I believe they were just giving me God’s message!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
In the initial days, never. There was no such thought of doing so because I was only doing it as a form of expression. It was purely done out of my love for God and never believed that I would ever develop a kind of art that would be sellable. I always thought art was only a form of expression for me and never thought of myself as an “artist”. However, God's thoughts exceed our thoughts, as it in written in the Word, and I realized that He has bigger plans. I received a lot of compliments over the years for my artworks and I really have a heart to sell them, because it’s not just paintings, but rather the Word of God and the anointing that follows it. So yes, I would love to sell my artwork and use the proceedings from it for the kingdom of God. As far as teaching is concerned, it will be an absolute joy to be able to teach aspiring artists with the knowledge that I possess and help them grow as an artist.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
I come from a business family. I always felt like an outsider when it came to my art. Over the years I have faced many challenges. A lot of times I was made fun of for spending my time on painting. It would hurt a lot to be humiliated by the people whom you expect to understand you the most. It was always a task to explain to family and friends why I do what I do. As a matter of fact, I still struggle with it sometimes. Many a times they would never understand the purpose behind it. I somehow find it very difficult to convey to people around me that there is a purpose behind my paintings even if they feel it’s of no use or just a waste of time. I try and explain to them that maybe someone out there will see my artwork and be encouraged for a lifetime. Sometimes it works, most of the times it doesn’t. All these things would lead to discouragement and I would go days without creating art and feeling empty. But the more I sought after God, I was encouraged to continue to paint in spite of what I knew people thought about my art.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
My creativity started with the Lord. Sometimes, when I’m reading the Psalms or a passage from the Bible, the Lord helps me in such a way that He gives me a blueprint in my thoughts for the paintings that could be made around that verse/ passage. I don’t think I have ever been confused about what medium of paint to use, what brushes to use and what colors to put where, everything is so properly formed in my thoughts before I start with that painting. I have painted a number of Biblical paintings which includes his crucifixion, the sick woman touching the hem of His garment and being healed, the story of Esther, Jonah and the whale, Moses and the partition of the Red Sea, to name a few. They are all available on my Instagram handle: @swaroop_arts. I thank God for helping me see what he wanted me to create and then helping me create these paintings. It has been an amazing journey so far with the Lord helping me in mysterious ways which is elusive to put into words. It is only the Lord’s doing.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
My productivity and abundance has come from the love letter of God, His Word. God is my only source of encouragement. The paintings that God helped me create on the story of Esther, Moses, Jonah, etc. have encouraged me greatly. God has made me more confident with my brushstrokes, my choice of mediums and colors. I still remember how much I would doubt myself, when I used to be in the middle of a painting. I remember how I would be scared most times to add a certain color somewhere, or when it came to adding the little details here and there, and being so stressed about how the whole idea will all come together on my canvas. It is God’s doing that today I’m able to completely surrender my thoughts and my entire process of creating, in God’s hands as He fills me up with His confidence. From here on, I feel it is only going to lead towards the Glory of God and this is where I want it to lead to. I believe God is going to help me create more and more this year and help me create art in ways that I don’t understand but only He does. I pray that one day I get a chance to be able to paint during live worship. I want the younger generation to be inspired by my paintings and my journey and learn to be better for His Glory.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I definitely feel the calling and His loving hand over my life. I can’t begin to comprehend how kind and how great and how beautiful God has been! I have no words to express when it comes to thanking God from what He is doing in my life. Just like it is written in the Word of God, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” (Psalm 42:7). I feel my situation is such that He alone understands the depths of our hearts because He is so profound. He breathed in my life and I believe when God breathes, He makes everything that is impossible, possible. The Word also says that, “Freely you have received; freely give,” and I feel that freely I have received of His creative gift, His guidance and encouragement and so I want to encourage everyone through my art that His right hand is not short to save us and He is a Mighty God in our battles. I believe my journey with Him and making art for His glory has only begun, and there’s so much more left to be done, so many souls to reach and so many souls to be saved. I strongly believe that the more I continue to seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to me and speaks to me through ideas and blueprints that He provides for my paintings. I also know for a fact that God has called us for greatness and He has started His good work in me and He won’t stop now.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I have learnt things the hard way and so I would encourage all creatives out there to never ignore their passion for art and think big. I would love to share some things that have worked for me.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I have made created more than 200 paintings by now and stored them in my cupboard. Never did it occur to me to market myself or sell my art and earn something out of it. It was only last year, when I resigned from my job as a banker I started to take my art more seriously and started to promote my brand on social media. Many people have sent such lovely messages and comments and encouraged me to keep on creating. There were times when I received some not so good comments, but I realized that if people only praise you, how will you ever improve? The negatives ones equally contribute to your growth, making you stronger and refining your weak areas. God has been so kind that today I’m able to share such details about my journey with you all with the help of @communityofchristaincreatives. So, even if you have any art which is not published or which is still unrecognized, of which you yourself don’t really care about, still know that the Lord is going to bless your art abundantly. It is written “Your labor is not in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:58), it will bear fruit and will come to fruition of recognition and accolades by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ because He has said that whatever you do privately, He will reward you in public. Also, if you honor God in your work, He will honor you. It is my prayer that anyone who is reading this and could connect to this, the blessing of honor and recognition and a harvest will be yours in Jesus Christ.
Amen! God bless you.
My creativity started with the Lord. Sometimes, when I’m reading the Psalms or a passage from the Bible, the Lord helps me in such a way that He gives me a blueprint in my thoughts for the paintings that could be made around that verse/ passage. I don’t think I have ever been confused about what medium of paint to use, what brushes to use and what colors to put where, everything is so properly formed in my thoughts before I start with that painting. I have painted a number of Biblical paintings which includes his crucifixion, the sick woman touching the hem of His garment and being healed, the story of Esther, Jonah and the whale, Moses and the partition of the Red Sea, to name a few. They are all available on my Instagram handle: @swaroop_arts. I thank God for helping me see what he wanted me to create and then helping me create these paintings. It has been an amazing journey so far with the Lord helping me in mysterious ways which is elusive to put into words. It is only the Lord’s doing.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
My productivity and abundance has come from the love letter of God, His Word. God is my only source of encouragement. The paintings that God helped me create on the story of Esther, Moses, Jonah, etc. have encouraged me greatly. God has made me more confident with my brushstrokes, my choice of mediums and colors. I still remember how much I would doubt myself, when I used to be in the middle of a painting. I remember how I would be scared most times to add a certain color somewhere, or when it came to adding the little details here and there, and being so stressed about how the whole idea will all come together on my canvas. It is God’s doing that today I’m able to completely surrender my thoughts and my entire process of creating, in God’s hands as He fills me up with His confidence. From here on, I feel it is only going to lead towards the Glory of God and this is where I want it to lead to. I believe God is going to help me create more and more this year and help me create art in ways that I don’t understand but only He does. I pray that one day I get a chance to be able to paint during live worship. I want the younger generation to be inspired by my paintings and my journey and learn to be better for His Glory.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I definitely feel the calling and His loving hand over my life. I can’t begin to comprehend how kind and how great and how beautiful God has been! I have no words to express when it comes to thanking God from what He is doing in my life. Just like it is written in the Word of God, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” (Psalm 42:7). I feel my situation is such that He alone understands the depths of our hearts because He is so profound. He breathed in my life and I believe when God breathes, He makes everything that is impossible, possible. The Word also says that, “Freely you have received; freely give,” and I feel that freely I have received of His creative gift, His guidance and encouragement and so I want to encourage everyone through my art that His right hand is not short to save us and He is a Mighty God in our battles. I believe my journey with Him and making art for His glory has only begun, and there’s so much more left to be done, so many souls to reach and so many souls to be saved. I strongly believe that the more I continue to seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to me and speaks to me through ideas and blueprints that He provides for my paintings. I also know for a fact that God has called us for greatness and He has started His good work in me and He won’t stop now.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I have learnt things the hard way and so I would encourage all creatives out there to never ignore their passion for art and think big. I would love to share some things that have worked for me.
- Quality: ensure that the quality that you provide is the best right from the start because that experience is what will help you earn loyal customers.
- Brand it: make sure you form a brand of your own and price it as if you were big. Never underestimate your work, because only you know the amount of hard work, efforts, time and money for the supplies you have put into creating it.
- Packing: is equally important. Poor packaging looks lame even if you have a beautiful artwork inside it. So, just because you started out small doesn’t mean you let other feel like its small. It’s your brand after all and you have to maintain its reputation.
- Social media presence: I never understood the power of social media until a few years back. Making the best use of it will help you reach every corner of the world with your work. Try and post a story, a reel and a post every day, if not, at least 4-5 times a week.
- Customers trust: the most important thing is to earn a relationship and not a customer. Your customer’s feedback and their love is a basic building block to that huge empire you are building.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I have made created more than 200 paintings by now and stored them in my cupboard. Never did it occur to me to market myself or sell my art and earn something out of it. It was only last year, when I resigned from my job as a banker I started to take my art more seriously and started to promote my brand on social media. Many people have sent such lovely messages and comments and encouraged me to keep on creating. There were times when I received some not so good comments, but I realized that if people only praise you, how will you ever improve? The negatives ones equally contribute to your growth, making you stronger and refining your weak areas. God has been so kind that today I’m able to share such details about my journey with you all with the help of @communityofchristaincreatives. So, even if you have any art which is not published or which is still unrecognized, of which you yourself don’t really care about, still know that the Lord is going to bless your art abundantly. It is written “Your labor is not in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:58), it will bear fruit and will come to fruition of recognition and accolades by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ because He has said that whatever you do privately, He will reward you in public. Also, if you honor God in your work, He will honor you. It is my prayer that anyone who is reading this and could connect to this, the blessing of honor and recognition and a harvest will be yours in Jesus Christ.
Amen! God bless you.