Life & Work with Arikka Jitendranath

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arikka Jitendranath.

Hi Arikka, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in beautiful Colorado! My father was a mechanic working long hours and two jobs to provide for his family. My mother was a homemaker and at the age of 50 started a position with the Police department and worked hard to build a career within the P.D. My mom is such a strong, youthful and motivated person. She’s never let anything hold her back from learning and improving!

My maternal grandmother was an impressionist painter of 65 years. She was a wise, beautiful, eclectic woman. Throughout my childhood, I would visit my grandparent’s log home in Fort Collins and one of my fondest memories was walking into their home to the smell of wood stain, oil paint, turpentine and of course something wonderful baking in the oven!

As a child, I was shy, socially awkward and had difficulty making friends. I performed poorly in school! I was certainly not the athletic type either but one subject I always looked forward to was my art classes and I was rather good but certainly not a prodigy! I graduated in the mid-nineties and went off to Community College for a few years! It was my last year before graduating with my Associate’s Degree and at this point, I just wanted to be done and needed something easy to finish my credits. I registered for a figure drawing course and hoped it would just be an easy credit.

I showed up to my first class unsure of what to expect! Walking into the studio I was greeted by an eclectic friendly instructor, the faint scent of turpentine, easels set around a stage full of random props, fabrics and lights! I see a middle-aged woman speaking to the instructor as she steps up to the stage and drops her satin pink robe to the floor to reveal her nakedness. I was in a state of shock as I didn’t know what to expect but soon the surprise faded as I heard the melody of graphite on paper and Mozart softly playing from a dusty vintage radio! I was in my element, it touched all the senses! This was my place of belonging, my people the speaker of my soul. I went on to take two more semesters and practiced alongside my grandmother for the next twenty-four years.

I practiced portraits and nudes for the first twenty years then took up abstract and collage work when I rented a studio in the RiNo art district in 2016. My art is always evolving as I evolve as a person. I’ve been fortunate to show in many venues and galleries alongside some wonderful Artists! I continue to show my work all around Denver, California and New York!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been bumpy! Many obstacles has come and gone through the years! Work, depression, imposter syndrome. A decade of having babies and a son on the spectrum with very little support. I found myself in a state of survival and unfortunately putting art on the back burner for years at a time!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an abstract artist in the Denver area! I’m currently a member of the Denver Contemporary Collective! I love working with vibrant colors and plenty of gold foil. My style and materials are always evolving! I keep my work visually engaging in hopes to evoke an emotional response from my audience.

What matters most to you?
I want my work to speak to my viewers! It may be an emotional response or just an appreciation for the pretty colors! Either way, I hope it will create a connection within!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Arikka J.