Give us some background about yourself?

I am an architect by vocation and an artist by avocation. I hold a B.Arch. from SPA, New Delhi and a M.S.Arch. from I.I.T., Chicago. My architectural experience covers hi-end residential, healthcare, retail and hospitality in New York state. Besides this I have also worked in New Delhi and Chicago. To unwind from the highly computerized world of architecture I started making botanical paintings as a hobby. Now I have been making them for almost thirty years! After working on a computer for long hours, when I switch to paints, brushes and water it is very refreshing and recharging for the soul.

Architecture is also called the mother of all arts. Hence I have applied my education in this field to evolve into an author (2 books), artist, blogger and now a designer at Zazzle.

When did you also move into art?

Spiritually I have always been an artist. In fact this is what led me to become an architect! However the geographic migration from New Delhi to Chicago in 1988 brought out the botanical artist in me. Let me explain. While New Delhi was tropical with a very long summer, Chicago was temperate with a very long winter. It was normal to snow there from Thanksgiving to Memorial Day! But after a long winter when the grounds on the campus became green, I noticed the miracle of spring with the bounty of Crabapple blossoms. To savor and cherish this beauty of nature I started making botanical paintings in my leisure time.

How can people access your work?

They can access it from the website of my online store titled Ratna’s Seasonal Art. The link for it is as follows: https://www.zazzle.com/ratnas_seasonal_art

Besides this I also have an Instagram account where you can see a new product almost every day! Here is the link for the same: https://www.instagram.com/ratnadalal/

What are your future plans?

              The present is keeping me very happily busy and this is what will lead to the future. Let me explain. Climate change, global warming and rapid urbanization are slowly receding the natural world. Some scientists estimate that one flowering plant species dies out every day. Recently Time magazine quoted that 60% of plants in the world’s richest forests are at a risk of extinction in the next century. By the end of this century, 90% of the human population would be living in urban areas. This will create and is already creating an immense hunger for green pastures and the sight of delightful plants. All of these factors combined with advancing technology are making the human race lose touch with nature. In response to all this I have started making products for daily life with botanical art made by me, to infuse human lives with nature's beauty.

     As my online store grows I am hoping many large retail stores such as Kohl’s, Pier One, IKEA, Pottery Barn etc. will buy in bulk from my store and then sell them worldwide for a global market. This will fill the void created by the diminishing natural world. Beside this I am also working on my third book! Beyond that I have to wait and see how everything evolves as in this era of a supernova-driven economy the future holds limitless horizons.

Ratna Dalal

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