10 Questions with Harini Rajeev

Harini Rajeev is an emerging artist born in 2008 in Overland Park, Kansas. Currently, she is a high school student residing in California. Her work mostly portrays experimenting with different mediums, such as charcoal and watercolor, as well as the relationships between them. A couple of her pieces also explore her feelings as she battles through the many road bumps of adolescence.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Harini explores the beauty, complexity, and narratives that define the human experience through her art. She works primarily in traditional mediums of watercolor, graphite, and pastel, seeking to create pieces that balance simplicity with emotional resonance. Her work often comes from the outside world and usually focuses on the tiny details, such as the interaction between shadow and light and the softness of a vase. Yet, more than with aesthetic concerns, her work is imbued with storytelling.

One of the recurring themes in her work is a passage into adolescence characterized by discovery, uncertainty, and resilience. A number of her works reflect some of the "road bumps" along the way in this period, melding realism with symbolic elements. Through these works, Harini strives to capture those raw, tender moments in young life, from hidden fears to longing for self-understanding. In one piece, for example, she explores the difficulties of social anxiety and the different emotions that can develop from this. These works serve as both personal reflections and universal explorations of growth.

Attending a summer program at Berkeley profoundly shaped her artistic perspective, encouraging her to embrace curiosity and authenticity in every piece she created. This experience solidified her passion for traditional art, particularly its tactile, meditative process and its ability to convey depth and texture in a way that felt personal and grounded.

Through her work, she tries to create a quiet introspection moment of silence that invites viewers to stop and reflect on the stories behind the images. From the capture of the evanescent beauty of nature to the turbulent emotional storms of adolescence, she considers each piece an opportunity to find connection and meaning in the everyday.

Harini is committed to deepening her exploration of traditional media as an emerging artist and using it to illuminate the complexities of the human experience. Most of all, she hopes that her art may spark reflection and remind others that even in life's messiest or most challenging moments, there is beauty worth cherishing.

Tangerine Harmony, Soft Pastel, 18 x 24 in, 2024 © Harini Rajeev

INTERVIEW

You are still very young and at the beginning of your career. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue art, and what inspired you to start creating?

I've been drawn to art for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I reached high school that I realized I wanted to pursue art as a career. Art has always been my way of escaping and expressing my emotions without words. I loved how a simple drawing could tell a story or evoke a feeling, which sparked my passion for making art a central part of my life. I understood that art was more than a hobby when I started making pieces about adolescence and exploring themes like growth, struggle, and identity. Seeing how others connected with my work made me realize the impact that art could have, and that's when I knew that I wanted to take it seriously.

How has your experience at the Berkeley summer program influenced your artistic style or approach?

The Berkeley summer program was transformative for me. It allowed me to immerse myself in an environment full of other creative thinkers. Since this program focused on architecture, it allowed me to explore that field and experiment with art techniques I hadn't considered before. The feedback from my peers and professors helped refine my style and encouraged me to approach art with more intentionality and depth. The experience pushed me to refine my technique and gave me the confidence to embrace my unique style.

What are your favorite mediums to work with, and why do you enjoy them?

My favorite mediums to work with are traditional ones like graphite, charcoal, and acrylics. I enjoy these mediums because they allow me to create detailed, expressive drawings with a strong sense of contrast and texture. I love their versatility and how you can achieve anything from delicate shading to bold, dramatic lines. Acrylic paint allows me to play with vibrant colors and textures while working quickly and intuitively. Charcoal is one of my favorites because of its bold, raw quality and the way I can capture color values through different gray and black hues.

What role does experimenting with different materials play in your creative process?

Experimenting with different materials plays a vital role in my creative process. It allows me to step outside my comfort zone and discover new ways to express my ideas. It also gives me some suggestions on how to plan out my next piece.Trying out different textures, tools, or even unconventional mediums allows me to push my creative boundaries and keeps me excited about each new project. Even the simple blending of different mediums gives me ideas about what mediums to implement in my next piece and its composition. Sometimes, the unexpected results from using a new material lead to my most innovative and meaningful pieces. It's through this process of trial and exploration that I continue to grow as an artist.

Essence of Pears, Graphite, Pencil, 18 x 24 in, 2023 © Harini Rajeev

Your art often explores themes of adolescence. How do your personal experiences shape your work?

My personal experiences during adolescence are a major influence on my work. I started thinking about this when I began high school and started to experience feelings that I couldn't express with words. Art became a way to process these feelings, whether it's a personal struggle, a difficult friendship, or a struggle that leads to depression. Drawing from my own experiences, I aimed to create authentic and compelling work that reflects the ups and downs of these changing times. What's important to me is that my work resonates with other people and that they see a piece of themselves in it.

How do you choose the stories or emotions you want to portray in your artwork?

I choose the stories or emotions I want to portray in my artwork by reflecting on what feels most significant to me at the moment. Sometimes it's inspired by a personal experience, like a specific challenge or a memory that left an impression. Other times, it's driven by universal emotions like resilience, longing, or hope that I think others can connect with. I often start by sketching or journaling to explore the themes I want to convey, and the story begins to take shape as I dive deeper into the process. Ultimately, I focus on emotions or narratives that feel authentic and meaningful, both to myself and tothe viewer.

Can you describe a piece you've created that holds special meaning for you?

One piece that is special to me is a mixed media artwork I created using acrylic paint and colored pencils to explore themes of social anxiety. The work consists of a self-portrait surrounded by a multitude of lights and soft colors, representing the inner turmoil and conflict that arises from darkness in a social environment. The figures and eyes behind the portrait suggest a sense of constant observation and judgment. I used acrylic paint to create a bold, chaotic background with hues of purple and black to represent the noise and pressure of outer space, while colored pencils added shape and texture-style details that show their fragility and isolation. This piece was so meaningful to me because it describes my struggles with social anxiety and what it's like to be seen and not seen at the same time. Creating it was a humbling experience, and I hope it resonates with others who are going through the same thing.

Green Lemonade, Acrylic, 15.12x12.14 in, 2023 © Harini Rajeev

What challenges do you face as a young artist, and how do you overcome them?

As a young artist, I often face challenges like balancing my creative work with school and other work. I find it difficult to dedicate time to my art while managing deadlines and commitments. Another challenge is related to self-esteem, especially when I compare my work to other artists and feel like I'm not progressing as quickly as I would like. I also encounter creative blocks or technical difficulties when trying new approaches, and it can be frustrating when a piece doesn't turn out the way I expected.
To overcome these challenges, I set realistic goals and focus on making small, consistent improvements. I think about how I can improve by revisiting the past, which gives me more confidence. Seeking feedback from teachers, mentors, or colleagues gives me valuable insight and helps me improve my work. When I'm pressed for time, I try to schedule a little time for creativity to keep my energy going. Above all, I try to focus on enjoying the process and accepting the growth, knowing that challenges are part of better art.

Who are some artists or people who inspire you, and how do they influence your work?

The two of the most inspiring artists for me include Frida Kahlo and Edward Hopper. The works of Frida Kahlo appeal to me because she can turn raw emotion and personal pain into beautiful, meaningful things through her work. Her self-portrait symbolism and the sincerity conveyed through her self-portraits also inspired me to probe my vulnerabilities for an understanding of my expression. Edward Hopper inspires me to tell quiet yet powerful stories using light, shadow, and mood. His capture of isolation or introspection has influenced how I approach atmosphere and emotion in my work.
Beyond famous artists, I also get inspiration from ordinary people in my everyday life-friends, family, and mentors who encourage me to pursue my passion. Their encouragement reminds me to be true to my vision and keep pushing forward. The creativity and perspectives of my peers inspire me to experiment and grow as an artist, too. These influences, whether from renowned figures or those closest to me, help shape the way I think about art and the stories I want to tell through it.

The Blue Lily, Acrylic, 15.10 x 19.12 in, 2023 © Harini Rajeev

And lastly, what are your goals or dreams for your art in the future?

My goals for my art in the future are to continue growing and pushing the boundaries of my creativity. I want to keep experimenting with new techniques, materials, and styles, allowing my work to evolve along with deeper and more complex themes. A big part of my dream is to make pieces that resonate with people on an emotional level-whether that be a sense of connection, sparking a conversation, or helping them feel seen.
Hopefully, that means being able to show my work in galleries and exhibitions, both near and far, and eventually build a portfolio that tells a cohesive story about who I am as an artist. I also want to collaborate with other creators in design, illustration, or even multimedia projects so that my perspective is widened and I learn from others. I want to use my art to make a difference in some way, through social issues, mental health awareness, or through themes that can make people more empathetic and understanding. My dream is to have a career where I can use my art not just as self-expression but as a tool to inspire and connect with others while leaving a meaningful impact on the world.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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