AnkiNish Creations: Irish landscapes merged with Indian art styles

GROWING interest in painting Irish landscapes merged with a passion for using ancient Indian art styles was a driving force in Ankita Khimesra’s work as an artist when she moved to Ireland in 2017.

Now living in Belgard in Tallaght with her husband, Nishant, and their son Farin, Ankita was already in the process of developing her artistic and crafting skills by the time she moved from India.

In 2015, she set up a YouTube channel called AnkiNish Creations – a portmanteau of her and her husband’s names – where she continues to post tutorial videos for crafts and DIY creations.

Ankita’s love of crafting and DIY perfectly complements her artwork, which is strikingly vibrant and detailed, and was proudly displayed in an exhibition in Tallaght Library last year.

The talented self-taught artist told The Echo about how her journey as artist has developed, her enjoyment of incorporating ancient Indian art styles into her work, and her future plans.

Was there a particular moment or experience you had that made you realise you had a flair for creating art?

Since childhood I had an interest towards art but while going to college for my chartered accountants degree, I lost touch with art.

I got married in 2011, and in 2012 I did my post-graduate studies in chartered accountancy.

Between 2012 and 2015 I tried a few jobs in the field of accounts and finance, but it didn’t excite me. In 2015, I created my YouTube channel and published my first video.

I felt very happy, and I wanted to achieve something in this field.

Often I still question myself about what I am doing, but my happiness in this field, and the positive and motivating comments on my videos, helps me to continue my art journey and brings me back towards art.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

I love being creative.

Being an artist, I get to do what I love and share it with the world.

For me, making art is like meditation.

I really enjoy the process of making art than the outcome itself.

Some of your artwork infuses Irish landscapes with ancient Indian art styles, why was it important to you to combine these two styles?

Before I moved to Ireland in 2017, I used to do more crafts and DIY.

I was mesmerised by Ireland’s natural beauty, and that inspired me to paint them in my own style.

First, I started with normal landscape painting but gradually realised I should make something unique, in my style, involving Irish landscapes and ancient Indian art style, which I loved to paint anyway.

You also do DIY creations and post instructional videos on YouTube so other people can get creating too.

 What does it mean, to you, to spread the joy you find in creating and painting?

Before starting my YouTube channel, I used to watch DIY and craft videos.

Those videos inspired me to create tutorial videos.

My motivation was to inspire kids to get creative and make art.

I have received so many messages from kids that my art tutorial videos have helped them to win a certain competition or they made a handmade gift for someone they loved.

That feeling is incomparable.

I feel so happy to know that every day, someone in some part of the world might be watching my videos and may get interested in creating some art.

What has been your proudest achievement so far as an artist?

There have been many milestones but the proudest till now was in November 2022, when I was invited by a group of ladies who were part of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association to talk about my art and my art journey.

I got this opportunity when a lady visited my solo art show in Tallaght Library in October 2022, and after seeing my work she proposed this art talk.

Being a self-taught artist, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that people are interested in knowing about my art journey. I was so nervous, but I will cherish that moment for a lifetime.

What future plans do you have for AnkiNish Creations?

For AnkiNish Creations, the primary goal will always be to create more art, and for my art to reach more people.

I hope that, someday, I will be capable of opening an art store with painting and DIY kits that promote ancient art styles and techniques for kids.

Also, I love to explore various other art styles and techniques in this field.

This field is so wide. I feel lucky that I will be learning something new forever.

For more information or to buy artwork by Ankita visit the AnkiNish Creations website HERE or subscribe to AnkiNish Creations on YouTube.