CONNECTION TO ART
Formative Years
"To me, art is a deeply personal and transformative experience, rooted in my early childhood memories with my Father, an artist himself. From the age of 3 or 4, our shared moments with paper, clay, and crayons were not just playful activities but foundational experiences that shaped my understanding of creativity. By the time I was 6, I was already delving into watercolours and acrylics, and these few hours each week became a sanctuary, a focus period that unwittingly laid the groundwork for what would become a form of meditation."
(The Hummingbird - work by PC Bopanna - Beloved Father)
Growing Connection
"After losing my Father when I was 8, art remained a vital connection to him; it was during these moments of creation that I felt closest to him. As I grew older, my exploration of different styles led me to discover stippling in a quaint art gallery in Rennes. The style, with its intricate dots and rich textures, struck me as visual poetry—black and white pieces that conveyed profound beauty without relying on colour. The depth and subtlety of stippling spoke volumes to me, and since then, I have been experimenting with this technique, discovering how it can create life, movement, and stillness in ways that resonate deeply with the soul. I am elated to share this journey with you."
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Background
Drithi Bopanna Puliyanda is an artist whose journey is deeply rooted in both cultural heritage and a lifelong passion for creative expression. Hailing from Coorg (Kodagu) in southwestern India, Drithi belongs to the Kodava community - an ancient martial tribe with Indo-Greek heritage, constituting just 0.0057% of India’s population. Growing up in this unique cultural backdrop, she was introduced to art by her father, who fostered her artistic spirit from an early age.
While art was always a constant in Drithi’s life, her inspiration to pursue academia came from her Mother’s remarkable academic background and unwavering dedication to learning and intellectual growth. This instilled in Drithi, a deep respect for education, which led her to study Business Management with a focus on Human Resources at the University of Mysore, India. Drithi continued her academic journey with a Master’s in Global Business Management, specializing in Global Organisational Behaviour, in Rennes, France. She furthered her studies in Psychology and Social Psychology, becoming a certified Life Coach and Executive Coach. Despite her corporate career, art remained a grounding force—a creative sanctuary that connected her to something deeper.
Transition to Art
Drithi’s professional life took her to various international cities, including Bamberg and Luxembourg. Yet, it was in London’s vibrant art scene, with its diverse and dynamic creative community, that Drithi decided to fully embrace her artistic calling. With the support of her husband, in November 2023 she founded Gaia Artworks in London, a platform where she now shares her work with the world.
Drithi’s art reflects a fusion of spirituality and her personal explorations. Whether through the vibrant hues of custom colour or the meditative intricacy of stippling, her pieces invite viewers into a space of reflection and connection. Each creation is more than just a visual experience; it is a journey that speaks to the soul, sparking dialogue, evoking emotion, and offering a transformative connection to the art itself.
THE ART OF STIPPLING
The stippling technique, a method of creating images using small dots or strokes, has its origins in the Renaissance period, primarily used by artists to achieve intricate shading and texture in their works. This technique was notably utilized by Italian painter and printmaker Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the 18th century, but its roots trace back even further to the works of early engravers and craftsmen. The process involves applying a series of tiny, carefully placed dots or dashes to build up gradations of tone and texture, allowing artists to create detailed and nuanced effects without relying on traditional brushstrokes. By varying the density and distribution of the dots, artists can produce a range of tonal values and intricate patterns, making stippling a powerful tool for achieving both subtle gradations and bold contrasts in their artwork.