BENGALURU: The 100-day project is corporate lawyer-turned-artist Shikha Nambiar’s exploration of Namma Bengaluru through sketches. With 98 days complete, Shikha, a Pune girl, spills the beans on why she does this.
“I do typography, lettering and illustrations. I design diaries, postcards, fridge magnets, photo frames, book marks, etc. People constantly asked me to design Bengaluru postcards but I had no illustrations of the city. The 100-day project is a way to make this happen” she said.
During the project, in addition to visiting various new eateries, she recalls exploring the popular heritage sites of the city such as the Bangalore Palace and Nandi Hills. “While exploring Bengaluru, I got to learn about the city’s history, something which not many people talk about. But the entry to these places is ridiculously pricey and I found that they were poorly maintained,” rues Shikha.
She shares a fond memory of a boy whom she met at an event. “His grandfather owns a bakery in Shivajinagar. A pastry chef himself, he aspires to study abroad and revive the ancestral bakery. If not for the 100 day project, we would not have met,” she said. After the project, she ranks top five places in Bengaluru – Cubbon Park, Blossom Book Store, Ranga Shankara, MTR and Toit. When quizzed about the biggest drawback of the city, she points to the traffic and the confusion caused by the numerous one-ways.
With an inclination towards art, she half-heartedly pursued law due to parental pressure. After practising law for three years, her parents and she realised art was her calling. With ample support from them, she pursued a diploma in visual communication from Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bengaluru.
Currently a freelancer, Nambiar has been living in the city since 2011. An inspiration to young artists, sketching nature, especially trees is her strength.
She confesses sketching animals is her weakness. “Getting their anatomy right is tricky,” she added.
“Dedicate at least five or ten minutes daily to draw something around you. It helps you grow,” she advises budding artists.
Shikha also sells her designs online. Check out her Facebook page Sunny Skies Starry Eyes for some interesting products.