About the Artist
Born in Mumbai, India, surrounded by artists and musicians, Neelam quickly discovered her creative spirit and developed a keen interest in various forms of art. After earning a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Mumbai, Neelam emigrated to the United States in 1984. While raising her family, she pursued further studies in Computer Graphics. She worked for two years as a Computer Graphics Designer, and then underwent training in Web Designing as well as Computer Programming.
While employed as a web programmer for a large telecommunications company, she indulged her artistic inclinations by painting on glass, wood, fabrics, and canvas. Following a layoff during the economic downturn of 2001, she transitioned into a full-time floorcloth artist, specializing in hand-painted canvas rugs.
Her floorcloth designs draw inspiration from Colonial American wall and floor patterns. Noted for their historical accuracy and museum-quality craftsmanship, her work has earned recognition from Early American Life magazine as a leading floorcloth artist. With a portfolio boasting over 19,000 square feet of floorcloths, each piece reflects her creativity
Her floorcloths grace numerous museums across the United States, as well as period homes and private collections. Renowned for her commitment to historical accuracy, her designs captivate with their meticulous details and period authenticity. As her reputation burgeons, so does the demand for her distinctive creations, with museums actively seeking to feature her work. In addition to her historically-inspired designs, she also crafts unique abstract floorcloths, further showcasing her versatility and artistic prowess.
After 14 years as a full-time floorcloth artist, Neelam found the creative process to be pleasing yet repetitive. However, studying the works of Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler, V. S. Gaitonde, and S. H. Raza revealed to her the freedoms of abstraction.
Neelam’s initial paintings were geometric, which did not come spontaneously. Starting with pencil sketches, she used her computer skills to create multiple digital representations before painting on canvas. This methodical process came naturally because of her graphic design training, but she continued to perceive a void in her creative mind. However, an unplanned immersion into spirituality released her from the comfort zone and gave her the courage to express feelings freely. The subjects and colors of her landscape paintings are influenced by the pairing of nature’s inspirations reflected on her mood and impulses. Neelam crafts her landscapes with acrylics by using brushes and knives in a meditative state, she shares her inner spirit with the viewers. Viewers often find themselves drawn into her paintings, enveloped by the serene atmosphere she creates. The tranquil colors and gentle brushstrokes evoke a sense of peace and introspection, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps even meditate upon the beauty captured on the canvas. Many describe feeling a sense of calm wash over them as they immerse themselves in the artwork, allowing it to transport them to a place of tranquility and serenity.
Neelam creates abstract paintings of landscapes, geometric, and fluids using mixed media. Her works are inspired by earth, water, wind, fire and space as viewed through the prism of
Artist Statement:
I express my emotions, illusions thoughts through my paintings. My landscape paintings reflect the overall essence of nature that I see or imagine. Using only limited palette I keep composition simple and my focus is on balancing colors, values and texture.
Representation:
Peninsula Gallery, Lewes, DE
Bennetts Gallery, Greenville, SC
Douglas Albert Gallery, State College, PA
Upcoming Shows:
Hamptons Fine Art Show, NY
July 11-14, 2024
Solo Show:
Peninsula Gallery, Lewes, DE
Lyrical Landscapes
November 2-24, 2024
Past Shows:
ArtExpo NY
April 4-7, 2024
January 29 - March 1, 2024
Peninsula Gallery, Lewes, DE
Whimsical Landscapes
May 6 – 30, 2023
Art at Atelier, Brooklyn, NY
Juried art show
April 2023
Big Screen Plaza, New York, NY
Seventy-two landscape paintings were digitally displayed on a 15'x30' screen daily at noon from April 2 to June 30, 2023.
SBAC Gallery, South Brunswick, NJ
Juried Art Show – Art Inspired by Art
March 23, 2023 – June 3, 2023
West Windsor Art Council
Juried art show – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
March 28 to June 3, 2023
Small World, Princeton, NJ
Solo Art Show
May 2022
Monmouth Museum, Lincroft, NJ
Member Miniatures: big ART in small packages 2020
January 18, 2020 – March 15, 2020
SBAC Gallery, South Brunswick, NJ
Juried Art Show – Repetition and Variation
January 17, 2020 – March 20, 2020
Affordable Art Show – Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Juried Art Show
November 29, 2019 – December 22, 2019
SBAC Gallery, South Brunswick, NJ
Juried Art Show – Inspired by Nature
October 25, 2019 – January 10, 2020
Morris Museum – Morristown, NJ
Atlantic Highlands Juried Art Show – Nature’s Splendor
September 12, 2019 – November 3, 2019
Rose Arts Festival 2019 – Norwich, CT
June 29, 2019 – July 5, 2019