In Chennai, art does not always begin in galleries or classrooms. It begins on streets, in notebooks, on borrowed walls, inside small rooms shared with doubt and hope. For many artists here, creating art is not about instant recognition but about staying with the process, showing up every day, observing people, learning from mistakes, and finding meaning in small moments.
These five artists, working across caricature, painting, illustration, teaching, and mixed media, speak about what art feels like when it is lived, not just displayed.
Across different ages and backgrounds, these artists share a common truth: art is not defined by recognition or scale, but by continuity, discipline, and personal meaning. In their own ways, each of them reminds us that creating art is less about arrival and more about staying with the process, day after day.
Limited resources are a constant challenge
My journey in art is closely connected to teaching. Since 2012, I have been working as an art teacher in a government school. The salary is low, but I see this work as service. Many of my students come from difficult backgrounds, and art becomes a space where they feel confident and respected. Alongside my school job, I run an art school where I teach underprivileged children for free and charge only those who can afford it. Limited resources are a constant challenge, both in schools and in my own practice. Even then, I continue because I see the impact. My students have won district- and state-level competitions, and that gives me strength. For me, creating art and teaching art cannot be separated. Art has the power to change how children see themselves, and being part of that change matters more to me than financial comfort.
—Muniaswamy (40), art teacher
Love breaking the idea of the canvas
I realised early in school that art came naturally to me, even when academics felt difficult. Teachers encouraged my drawing, and that support pushed me to study art seriously. I completed my Master of Fine Arts and later came to Chennai through a scholarship that gave me Rs 10,000 a month for one year. That period allowed me to focus fully on my practice. I love breaking the idea of the canvas, so I began working with illusion art. Eventually, the scholarship ended, and financial pressure became my biggest challenge. I started teaching part-time to survive, which meant I could not always give my full energy to my own work. For the past two years, I have had fewer exhibition opportunities, and that has been discouraging. As a woman artist, continuing to do so often feels like resistance. Still, I have never stopped creating. Art is not something I can step away from. Even when I can give only part of myself, I stay connected. Art gives me stability, hope, and a reason to keep going.
—Divya Pandiyan (32), illustrator-painter
Art requires trust in the process
I did not start my art journey with clarity. Like many artists, I went through long, uncertain phases where I was unsure about my style, direction, and future. Those periods were difficult, but they taught me an important lesson: consistency matters more than inspiration. That belief drove me to illustrate two books, Kadhaipomma and Pularadha Kalai Pozhudhil. Even when I feel confused or uninspired, I sit down and work. That discipline slowly brings clarity. One of the biggest challenges for me has been continuing without immediate results. Art requires patience and trust in the process. Through regular practice, I learned observation and focus. I believe everyone experiences doubt, but not everyone continues. For me, art is a way to understand the world and myself. I do not chase quick success. Staying with the work, even during uncertain phases, is what shapes an artist over time.
—Niranjan Selvam (32), illustrator
Drawing live taught observation, discipline
I did not come into art through formal training. I scribbled in notebooks and worked many small jobs, including wall painting, without any clear direction.
When I saw a caricature artist earning a living through live drawing, I realised this was something I could try. I started with simple materials like paper, pencils, and markers and went to colonies and public places to draw people. Asking strangers for money was difficult at first. Many days, I earned only Rs 20 or Rs 50, but even that felt important because it meant someone valued my work. I carried my easel everywhere, skipped meals sometimes, and worked long hours to improve. Criticism affected me in the beginning, but over time, I learned patience. Drawing live taught me observation and discipline. Street art keeps me grounded. For me, caricature is not just about earning; it is about connecting with people and slowly building confidence through practice.
— Siva Prakash (23), caricature artist
Being able to draw daily is enough for me
Art entered my life casually. I drew mainly to relax and never planned to become a full-time artist. I focused on my studies, taught tuition, worked in a bookstore, and even tried acting as a junior artist, but none of it gave me stability. Along with a friend, I decided to try caricature on the streets. We started by charging Rs 50 per drawing. Working in public spaces was challenging. We were often asked to move by security guards, and income was uncertain every day. Still, I continued drawing sincerely. Pondy Bazaar became a turning point for me, as regular work helped me support my family. One of my proudest moments was helping my father buy a vehicle with my earnings. Later, opening a small shop gave me more stability. I do not think much about competition or recognition. Being able to draw daily, live peacefully, and support my family is enough for me.
—Surendar Mutharasan (23), caricature-visual artist