Sonali Kukreja

Highly acclaimed artist, Sonali is an Indian born and currently lives with her husband and works full time out of her home studio in Austin. It is her catharsis from the unpredictability of life, inspiring her to continue to see the beauty that surrounds and reminding her to make the rest of her life the best of her life.

“When I create paintings, and when I am surrounded by images that bring a sense of peace, that experience had such an impact on me that I was galvanized to bring such healing and serenity to others. “Your art evokes many feelings, it’s thought provoking”. I hear that all the time. A drop of inspiration or encouragement can become a reservoir of confidence and creativity in one's life. And that’s how ‘Serene Compositions’ came to life”.

Sonali is a free spirit in her art. Therefore, My work is diverse - from representational to abstract. Her work is an expression of the psychological and emotional interpretation of events.

Sonali has been written about in various magazines and has won many awards. She has been invited to talk about art on local Austin community radio and write blogs to promote the power of art in the healing process of mind and body and motivate others by her own personal experiences. She has exhibited internationally and her artworks are in private collections around the world. A portion of her sales are going to an Old age home in Patiala, India.


Portfolio:

Black and White series

Black and White fascinates me. I find the creative process with black and white images is so artistic. Black and White art can be strong, high contrast and powerful. And so do the figures. They evoke many kinds of feelings and emotions.
Therefore in this collection, I have blended my fascination for black and white and figures.

Journey of Discovery “Journey of Discovery”

18 x 24 inches - Acrylic on canvas

When you step out on a journey to find out what you really want in life, you discover along the way what you need. So I would say, keep an open mind, it doesn’t matter how fast or slow you get to that point, don’t just stop.

Embrace it “Embrace it”

18 x 24 inches - Acrylic on canvas
It's amazing how your life changes when you embrace the reality and life's challenges because raising to them shows you are already victorious. It doesn't matter how great or small they are, it empowers us and makes us even stronger. It is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

Dreamz Unlimited “Dreamz Unlimited”

24 x 24 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Dream big dreams, commit to your true passion and you will learn to fly. Your life will change when you put more energy in your dreams than in your fears. So, don’t sit on your dreams- start moving. Every step forward will open new horizons.

Yin and Yang “Yin and Yang”

22 x 28 inches - Acrylic on canvas

The two cannot live without each other. We need a good balance just like good and bad, or light and dark, or heart and mind.

Passion “Passion”

36 x 48 inches - Acrylic on canvas - SOLD

Passion, it lies in all of us, it can be for anything. It is energy. Therefore, feel the power that comes from within focusing on what excites you and make it happen. It just makes life so much more exciting. You only do your best at things you truly enjoy and have passion for.

Ballerina “Ballerina”

8 x 10 inches - Acrylic on canvas board - SOLD

"Ballet is a dance executed by the human soul.”

Enigmatic “Enigmatic”

10 x 20 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Enigmatic 2 “Enigmatic 2 ”

10 x 20 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Lets Rock n Roll “Lets Rock n Roll”

22 x 28 inches - Acrylic on canvas

Live every moment. Laugh every day. Love beyond words.

You are the Resistance “You are the Resistance”

18 x 24 inches - Acrylic on Canvas

Born as a female child to my parents and raised equally without gender discrimination has been a blessing and I live a life of bliss. God has created a beautiful phenomenon known as “woman” who is beyond any human imagination. A woman can be complete no matter if married or not, bears children or not. There is so much beauty in this world that you can enjoy. Women should not deny themselves and let go this “only” life with focusing on what they don’t have. It touches me deeply when I see this conditioned thinking. I am blessed to be a woman. I feel complete.

Spirit Calling “Spirit Calling”

24 x 24 inches - Acrylic on Canvas
As you grow older the call comes from your intuition and your deepest sense of self to search for who you are and the meaning in life. “There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It’s why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.”
Self love, self acceptance, personal power and acknowledgement of your own worth are the building blocks. It allows you to meet challenges and move forward in your life. And every time you judge or criticize yourself, you weaken your willpower allowing life to pass by while doing nothing.

A New begining

The technique used in this body of work is different and unique. Using only a bamboo barbecue skewer and then spreading the paint and shaping is challanging as well as lot of fun.

In the Moment 2 “In the Moment 2”

36 x 36 x 1.5 inches
Acrylic on Gallery wrapped canvas

In the Moment “In the Moment”

36 x 36 x 1.5 inches
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Who is she? “Who is she?”

36 x 36 x 1.5 inches - Acrylic on Gallery wrapped canvas

This is dedicated to all those women who put up a brave face and keep playing their societal role. They are refrained from expressing themselves. Women are wired to support and nurture others, saying “yes” and “agree” much of the time, feeling resentful. I read it somewhere and I agree “Men who speak their mind gain respect. Women who speak their mind get a reputation for being difficult” The gradual shift in power hasn’t been well received across cultures. She may be a powerful woman outside but at home she has to play a submissive role. How many roles does she have to play? Who is she? She is very much human but still everyone expects her to be God-like.
Ultimately, woman is power no matter what. She always draws out her innate energy from within and manages. Is it a gift or a curse to listen and understand the other person? I think it’s a gift - for anyone as a matter of fact irrespective of gender.

Metamorphosis

This body of work happened unexpectedly. Unlike figurative paintings, where there is an attempt to capture an object from the natural world, these were created to take mundane forms of reality and make those forms irresistible to the human brain. And this activated the pleasure centers of the brain because the human brain processes abstract art very differently. And this makes it interesting and fun.

A Chance Encounter “A Chance Encounter”

36 x 36 x 1.5 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Inspiration, sometimes comes from simple things. This piece has been inspired from a tree trunk. We lost a few trees in a tornado one year. So the only things left from those trees are their stumps. While looking at them a few days ago, I was thinking about how to incorporate them in a landscape design. My attention went to the top of the stump and I wondered how the wood grains are like art within themselves. Inspiration Struck! It was simply a chance that it caught my eye in the same way that one might meet someone out of nowhere, who unexpectedly catches your attention and makes an impact on you.

Silver Lining “Silver Lining”

36 x 36 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

This piece of work is inspired by an ancestral hand-loomed rug called a "dhurri" in India. In Indian culture, parents begin accumulating practical articles of household use for their daughter(s) when she is born, in preparation for when she leaves for her new "home" when she is wed. It was meant to be used as bedding for twine cots used in the olden days. With changing times and lifestyles, they are no longer used in the traditional sense. I have an emotional attachment to this which was passed down to me from my parents. I cannot just give it away. I once used it as a floor rug for some time. But now the decor in my home has changed and I'm at a loss as to how to use it. My aunt once expressed to me that my name and history will move forward through my work. With this I am passing on a piece of me and my history through time to a new home.

Journey “Journey”

24 x 24 x 1.5 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Purpose is the reason you journey. Passion is the fire that lights your way. Therefore, keep going, you will get there. Every moment is your opportunity to add a little more value to your future. Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the NOW.

Journey 2 “Journey 2”

24 x 24 x 1.5 inches - Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas