Features & Collaboration
Coco Mini Tote Bag
Paul Adams
Tote Bag • Women • Original Handpainted Art on Canvas • Soft Napa Leather in Royal Blue
Artist: Shinali Jain
Art Style: Abstract
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas with Brush and Knife
Art Inspiration: Alice in Wonderland
Art Brief: Supersaturated, bright hues of bold colors with darker, muted tones blending together. Pops of colours against grey and black tones, give the art a surreal magical feel - just like going through a portal. The bright and muted blue are key in this colour palette accented with purple, red and hint of orange - setting off a very energetic, playful yet mature aura.
From The Unknown To The Art Of Permeating Across The Globe
Despite many odds, these three artists are part of a growing number of unknown artists whose work is finding space in an unexpected, global medium...leather handbags.
Most of us may never have heard of Shinali Jain, Rajkumar Sarde, or Swapnil Jagtap. They belong to the large group of talented young people who hope to make a living out of their art. Each of these three, and many others like them, have learnt art formally and hold diplomas and degrees that have added formal rules, art history, and techniques to their inborn talent, that makes them see images in ways different from the ordinary and gives them the ability to express what they see in unique ways.
Chances are such artists, hailing from small towns or modest backgrounds, seldom find a godfather to promote them, and one in thousands strikes it lucky by being in the right place at the right time.
Despite these odds, these three are part of a growing number of unknown artists whose work is finding space in an unexpected, global medium...leather handbags.
Paul Adams, which, despite its name, is a wholly Indian brand of leather bags, sources fine art from lesser-known artists to make limited-edition bags that have found acceptance not just in India but bring in orders from stores in Dubai and Madrid, among other places.
Scouting helped his team locate the three artists I mentioned earlier, as well as many others; and a process is in place to ensure each product is unique. Once a theme is decided upon, the artist is guided through its development by Singh’s team of NIFT alumni who suggest ways to increase its global appeal. Orders could range from 10 to 20 or more pieces of each painting created on canvas by the artist, which is then processed and incorporated into the leather product keeping longevity and durability in mind. The artist is paid per piece created.
The themes range widely. Jabalpur-based Shinali Jain’s creations are evoked from Alice in Wonderland, and in her words, ‘Supersaturated, bright hues of bold colors with darker, muted tones are blended together. Pops of colours against grey and black tones, give the art a surreal magical feel - just like going through a portal.’
Each creation comes from deep within the artist’s psyche. And reaches out to the well-heeled who find in the painting a resonance. ‘Not everybody can afford art for the walls, but it can be a part of one’s lifestyle,’ as Singh says. It’s indeed a new way to take Indian art into homes across the globe.