Today, we’re going In the Studio with Maryland artist Sheela Belur. Sheela’s artwork was recently on display in the Chesapeake Arts Center’s Our Maryland Gallery exhibit.

After many years as an aerospace professional with a doctoral degree in mathematics, artist Sheela V. Belur retired from her career and began painting with encouragement from her daughter. She has been painting for about 6 years, focusing on Maryland landscapes and illustrative pieces inspired by Hindu scriptures. Utilizing watercolor, water-based oil and acrylic paint, with visible brush strokes and bright colors, Sheela’s artwork has an impressionistic quality with whimsical nature. Sheela paints mainly because she finds it relaxing, and her artwork radiates that peaceful feeling.

Here’s Sheela talking about her art, process and experience...

What art do you most identify with?

It has been landscape painting for me from the start. That is not because I do not like portraiture etc . But simply because I do not think I have the inherent skills for those types of paintings.

When did you realize you were an artist?

I do not consider myself to be an artist in the true sense of the word. That being said, my interest in art started about 6 -7 years ago.

How did you get into your art/side-gig?

After my retirement I wanted to utilize my spare time doing something different from what I did in my decades of professional career. At that time I got inspired by my daughter who is a highly talented portraitist At the same time I came to know of art classes being offered to senior citizens in our local community center. So basically it’s the combination of the two that instigated my painting hobby.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on painting more landscape scenes around me in different seasons.

What's your favorite piece of artwork that you have created and why?

My favorite piece is a painting of a scene depicting what happened when Lord Krishna played His flute . This piece shows the reactions of various animate and even inanimate objects on listening to the divine melody of Lord Krishna’s flute. Since the inspiration is from a poetic work of an actual Hindu Saint who lived thousands of years ago, I consider this work as something very special.

What food, drink, song inspires you?

Food or drink do not inspire my artwork. But as I already said, the poetic works of yesteryears inspire me in addition to my walks in nature.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?

Acceptance of my works in a few online and in-person galleries are memorable responses that I have had so far.

What work do you most enjoy creating?

I enjoy creating landscape paintings with specific themes rather than just randomly.

What’s your favorite quote?

It is only when we are no longer fearful that we begin to create.

― J. M. W. Turner

What role does the artist have in society?

Each artist should create work that brings out the heritage of the places and society they are from or were associated at any time in their lives. This would help keep those heritages alive and brings their awareness to the rest of the world too.

What’s your dream job?

Definitely a job that involves anything creative and is not a routine!

Is there any local artist that Inspires you? If so, who and why?

As I already mentioned, my daughter and her perfectionism in art amazes me and continues to inspire me as I watch her create more and more such work, each one surpassing the previous one.

Why art?

For me painting is a great source of relaxation and I find that it makes life more interesting and helps me to look forward to each day.

For more information on Sheela and her paintings, check out her website at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sheela-belur