Artist Reception: Shweta Agrawal launches exhibition in San Ramon

It’s an exciting moment for any artist to have their work accepted for gallery representation. This solo show represents the culmination of many long hours of creative endeavor for Shweta and provides an opportunity for guests to appreciate her style and versatility.

Her artworks are colorful and bold and include a range of subjects depicting the skill and confidence with which she approaches her work.

City street scenes, colorful floral landscapes, abstracts and portraits filled the exhibition space with alluring hues and wonderful energy. The unique and striking color combinations of her abstract work are vibrant and eye-catching.

The comments in her guest log reflect the enthusiasm with which her work has been received “Superb artwork! The body of work itself talks about expertise and experience in this art. The imagination and ability to reproduce moments captured and artistry to make them alive is breathtaking. Congrats and all the best!”

Shweta was proudly supported by her husband Parag and two sons, Divyansh and Ekansh. Her creative talent has been passed on to Ekansh who is an avid photographer and just had a photograph selected for the Dublin Patch “Photo of the Week”. Her youngest son Divyansh has inherited her entrepreneurial and caring nature and recently took the initiative to fundraise for the local SPCA.

Shweta’s entrepreneurial instincts resulted in the founding of her own business, EverPro kids and she currently runs workshops and classes in the Dublin area. EverPro kids offers art programs where students learn step by step drawing and painting techniques.

A parent whose children participate in one of the EverPro programs left the following comment “You are a beautiful artist. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world. You have added so much to our family. We are lucky our children have you as their art teacher.”

Shweta has also been the recipient of awards for many juried competitions. Through her artwork she aims to depict nature, architecture and scenes that capture her attention in the environment and reflect her experiences but also that send a message and provide meaning to the observer.

The reception brought together an excited and eager group of guests who had snacks and beverages while browsing the varied and engaging art pieces.

“Shweta is such a rare talent” said one visitor “and she is also so humble about her work. It’s wonderful to see her skill recognized in this way.”

Shweta Agrawal has been an active Bay Area artist and art teacher for the past 15 years. She has been associated with multiple art galleries and exhibited her work in several locations.

When asked about her path to becoming an artist Shweta said” As long as I can remember, I have always been infatuated with imitating nature and replicating it on canvas. I am really intrigued about the fine level of detail a painting requires to resemble nature. When I explore different landscapes, either on the river banks of Alberta, Canada or under the trees of Palm Springs, I study the applications of colors and the way the light reflects on objects based on their relative location to the sunlight. Through every brushstroke on my canvas I strive to replicate these very elements in my paintings. Art isn’t my career, it’s my life.”

The artwork at the exhibition that is particularly endearing to her is the painting of palm trees called “Rising High”. The source of inspiration for this series of paintings was a recent vacation to Coachella Valley in Southern California. “Any time you stepped outside and turned your head to the sky, you could see the horizon scattered with the giant heads of palm trees. These scenes really stood out for me, especially at the crack of dawn with the way the light reflected from the ground onto the palm trees”.

Artistically Shweta is ready to take risks and challenge herself and there are no conventions that restrict her use of color. She aspires to create harmony and balance with her paintings and her landscapes include lush trees and sharp mountains.

Through her paintings she strives to invoke positive emotions in her viewers. One of her friends remarked that the palm trees reminded her of her wedding day in Los Angeles as she was surrounded by them on that happy occasion. Although the wedding was many years ago, Shweta was delighted that her friend could relive this precious memory because of her artwork. She said that as an artist this gave a deep sense of satisfaction because she knew that her artwork had made a meaningful connection with someone.

“Interacting with the guests was so much fun” said Shweta “they see my work in interesting ways and inspire me to keep producing my art.”

Jeff Eorio, retired Parks and Community Services Director provided the following background information about the space used for the exhibition. The Art Gallery is named in tribute to Lindsay Dirkx Brown, a San Ramon resident who was a strong advocate for the arts. Her passion for the arts included all types theatrical, performing, visual etc. Lindsay was one of the founding members of the San Ramon Parks Commission. Upon completion of the San Ramon Community Centre in 1989 it was recognized that there was an ideal space in the centre for art displays and initially it even housed a grand piano. Sadly Lindsay was diagnosed with breast cancer and succumbed to the illness. In recognition of her commitment to the arts and her pioneering efforts to create visibility for art in San Ramon, the Art Gallery now bears her name.

The exhibition is still available for free viewing until March 29.

Dublin Art Collective