Have you ever looked at a cloud and seen an interesting figure or face—only to feel the frustration of trying to get someone else to see it too? Most times, it gets brushed off as “just your imagination.” They’re probably right, but you know there was something special in those fleeting shapes…
Imagine if you could hold onto those magical moments and bring them to life. That’s exactly what Rishika Gupta does with her enchanting cloud doodles. “The idea to doodle on clouds came from a desire to merge my love for art with my fascination for the ever-changing sky,” she says. Born in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, Rishika moved around for education, exposing her to diverse cultures and landscapes that now feed her art.
Over a chat, we delve into Rishika’s creative journey, the beginnings, and more. We hope her artwork inspires some of us here to explore new ways of expressing our imagination.
- Hello there! Welcome to Roots & Leisure. Could you please introduce yourself?
I’m Rishika, a passionate doodler and illustrator whose canvas extends to the vast expanse of the sky. Growing up in a culturally rich environment in India, I was surrounded by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and diverse landscapes that deeply influenced my creative journey which led to the start of documenting the colors of India.
- Can you share a bit about your upbringing and formative years that shaped your creative journey?
Rishika: I was born in a small town called Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, but moved around the country a lot for education, which exposed me to different cultures and instilled in me a love for art and nature. From a young age, I found solace and inspiration in exploring nature in its various forms—always sketching and experimenting with unconventional mediums to express my imaginations.
- Can you give us a glimpse into your life as a cloud-inspired artist? Is this a full-time pursuit or more of a creative outlet?
Rishika: Doodling on clouds has become more than just a creative outlet for me—it’s a form of expression that intertwines with my daily life. Despite balancing a full-time role as a product designer, I carve out moments to immerse myself in this ethereal art form, finding synergies between my professional responsibilities and my passion for creativity. It’s a dream to doodle on clouds and draw whatever shapes I see in them.
Hoppy Skies: Bunny with a Carrot in a Pink Cloud Wonderland – Doodle by Rishika Gupta
- Can you take us back to the moment when you first felt inspired to experiment with cloud doodling? What led you to explore this unique art form?
Rishika: The idea to experiment with doodling on clouds stemmed from my desire to merge my love for art with my fascination for the ever-changing sky. One afternoon, as I watched the fluffy clouds drift by, I felt a strong urge to leave my mark on them. I envisioned transforming them into dynamic canvases for my imagination.
Can You Spot the Resting Gator Face? 👀 One of Rishika’s First Cloud Doodles.
- How do you decide which clouds make the perfect canvas for your next piece, and what’s your creative process like?
Rishika: Selecting the ideal cloud for my next piece is an intuitive process, guided by the cloud’s shape, texture, and movement. Each cloud whispers a unique story, and I aim to capture its essence through my doodles.
My creative process involves a blend of spontaneity and deliberate strokes, allowing the artwork to unfold organically. But these days most of the clouds I draw on are crowd-sourced by the cutest cloud family I have. I love it when someone sends me sky pictures and shares their imagination with me.
Floating Puppie Enjoying the Calm Before the Evening Rain in Kohima, Nagaland – Doodle by Rishika Gupta
- Do you have interesting stories or anecdotes from your cloud doodling journey that you’d like to share?
Rishika: One memorable experience was when a group of children stumbled upon me doodling on a particularly radiant cloud. Their awe-inspired reactions reminded me of the pure magic that art can evoke – transcending age and language barriers. I conduct cloud doodle workshops where people of all age groups are invited. One of my favorite moments has been when a 5-year-old attended my workshop and was so excited to finally put her cloud imagination on paper.
- What emotions or themes do you aim to convey with your art, and how do you want your audience to feel when they experience your creations?
Through my art, I strive to evoke a sense of wonder, nostalgia, and joy.
- Lastly, what message or advice do you have for the Roots & Leisure community, and what advice would you offer based on your own experiences in this unique and imaginative niche?
Rishika: My advice to fellow creatives is to embrace the journey of exploration and experimentation. Trust your instincts, dare to dream, and never underestimate the power of imagination to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
“I am a trailblazer,” said the proud dragon, after a fiery debut – Doodle by Rishika Gupta
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