Here’s a Q&A with Sanjay Desai:

If you could only take three colors with you to paint on a stranded island, which three would you take and why?
I think they will be ultramarine blue, Hansa yellow medium and transparent pyrol orange… or it could be just ivory black!

Describe a recent art show/exhibit you attended or participated in that was particularly inspiring and why.
I keep on visiting Mumbai to see exhibitions. 2 recent exhibitions come to my mind. One by Vikrant Shitole and another by Harshvardhan Devtale..both watercolorists.. I also regularly visit some amazing artists’ studios in Pune. Typically I don’t usually need external inspiration but what keeps me going is the dedication, passion and spirit of experimentation that drives these artists.

The Chandigarh event by KDS for promotion of DS colours which was attended by all Indian DS Ambassadors was an amazing opportunity to spend time together , watch each other paint and discuss issues. Wonderfully organised by Tarunn and his team.

What and where were the last few photos you took of images/scenery that might inspire you to paint?
I went for a ride on my motorcycle to the old part of city just after the Diwali festival. It is a wonderful season and wonderful light. I am working on these right now.

What is the best piece of advice another artist has given you?
Shut up and paint.. is the best advice I received. But some things that accelerate artists development is spending time in studios of great artists and watching them work.

What are you excited about working on next?
Winter is coming. It is a wonderful mild winter here in Pune. And it is a great watercolour season. More than enough things to work on. I am thinking of doing something new..may be going abstract..changing usual painting format size..
I have been working on it but still nothing to show. It takes time and I have plenty of it.

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Join us online each week via Zoom or Facebook for an Up Close and Personal Conversation with John Cogley (Daniel Smith Owner and CEO) along with guest artists from around the world. On Thursdays (2:00pm Pacific), John and some of our Brand Ambassadors highlight a group of colors and answer your questions. On Fridays (10:30am Pacific), a guest artist shares a demo with their favorite tips and techniques. Click here for the upcoming week’s Zoom links.

If you prefer, you can visit our Facebook page at showtime to watch live. Replays can be watched on Facebook or YouTube.