Sum up your creative process in one word/phrase, and explain why?
Discovery! With every stroke of the brush, I discover myself as an individual. The colors that I put on the canvas depict the essence of life and time captured in my perspective, I then realize who I am.
Asher Khan at age 14
Were you always an artist even as a child? What was your path to becoming an artist?
I don’t know if I would say I was an artist as a child, but I would say that I was an artist in the making. Honestly, even as a child, I loved to evaluate and analyze things differently. Reading people’s emotions and wanted to capture it. It impacted me in ways that I believed there was more to things and people than what met the eye. My path towards becoming an artist and pursuing my passion was traveling, along with getting awarded a scholarship in high school in an art competition. A German author, Jean-Paul, coined the word “Weltschmerz”, which means a deep sadness about the inadequacy or imperfection of the world. When I started traveling, I saw many stories in the wrinkles of many faces, as well as smiles of contentment with nothing in their hands. Art eventually became my destiny.
What is your medium of choice and what drove you to this medium?
Oil on canvas is what I love to work with most. My first art competition was won at the age of 13 and that was done in oil. The nature of oil painting is unforgiving as opposed to acrylic. There are not many chances to make mistakes, it has more pigmentation, which allows richer and vivid colors.
Is there any particular experience, person, place or thing which inspires you to create?
I see inspiration everywhere and in everything. Sometimes its in the conversation I have with people, and sometimes in the musical notes of a piano or guitar. Sometimes it’s the smell of the earth after it rains, while other times it’s in the poverty and turmoil in many countries that leave innocent children hungry at night. All of these things you can see in my paintings, and the reason I am not limited to a particular style. I am inspired by the world around me and that is what keeps me going.
What is it like showing your work to people and what do you hope people take away from it?
When I share my work with people, I am sharing a part of me and a piece of my life. When a person stands in front of my work and pauses to evaluate it, I feel a sense of release to see them as captured as I was when creating the piece at that moment, I feel like I have served my purpose. I hope that my painting will connect with the viewer in some aspect of their emotions. I accept people’s criticism positively as I know it will only make me better.
What advice do you have for other artists who may be looking to get their work exhibited?
Practice is the key, develop brush strokes, techniques, and style which is truly yours and not seen anywhere else. Many young artist fall victim to the idea of pleasing others before themselves. Paint for yourself and your passion, the rest will follow.
Contact information: asher.khan76@gmail.com
