Check Out Jyoti Agarwal’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jyoti Agarwal.

Hi Jyoti, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
JoArts started life when I was an intern back in Delhi, India. My friends were calling me “Jo” more trendy and fun I guess. Gradually I started signing my artworks as “Jo” and it became a natural progression to name my passion “Jo Arts Creation”.

Although I have a Master’s degree in Computer Science and currently working in the pharmaceutical industry, I always had the knack of expressing my thoughts, dreams, and visions via the powerful tool of drawing and painting. I am a self-taught artist and love working with children. I am passionate about teaching arts to kids that help to discover the magic of creativity in young artists. In my free time I work with children to explore the new ideas and teach them to express things through their art that they don’t even have words for yet.

I came to the United States in the summer of 2009 to join my husband. I was very excited, willing, and looking forward to exploring the new country, new culture, and new people. I had so much time in my hand and in response, I started giving time to my paintings.

I went to public libraries to volunteer, meet new people, read books, and mostly work on my art in the beautiful library of Austin, Texas. One day, an Indian lady approached me and asked if she can join me at my table. She started taking interest in the artwork I was working on and slowly we started talking and got to know each other. Later, I came to know she is an Oncologist living with her husband and two daughters. She asked me if I can teach art to her daughters (ages 4 and 8).

I started art as a hobby, within few months I was encouraged by my new friend to start teaching arts to kids and soon I realized that I cherish devoting my time to children’s art and creativity. Later, I created a website and Facebook page and moved in the direction of teaching to support my favorite charity. And when I had my own child, I realized creating Art together make our bond stronger and encourage creativity to communicate and build confidence. The connection motivates me to explore more and “be good and do good”.

I have volunteered for different art programs to teach in an orphanage, for charity fundraising campaigns, etc. For three years, I was a part of Children’s Art Village, India. I volunteered for the not-for-profit art center ArtPace, TX. I have taken a couple of art courses to add more exposure and variety to my skills. I was an active member of Student Life in ACC for two years.

Each year I volunteer in the Darshan Meditation Camp, in Virginia to teach discovery art classes to children ages 8-14 for a week.

I believe art is a form of communication and expression which makes it an ideal outlet for young children to use their imagination and develop their creativity. Each and every artwork these kids create made me wonder and smile :)!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There is a saying – “Every road has a bend” and mine is no different. Some of us are fortunate to have a career that encapsulates passion, others have to infuse it along with their career. In my case, I feel pride in my work to bring forward medicines for life-threating diseases through bold and transformative science and I am thankful that we work hard everyday to give our patients and their families hope. However, art helps me to rejuvenate and reconnect me to the playfulnes I had as a child.

After a busy work week, finding the time and a place to teach was the biggest challenge for me. However, it was blessings to have wonderful parents who are kind enough to work with my schedule. Balancing our career and pursuing our dreams is critical to leading a full, enriched life and I am fortunate that I am able to take steps towards it!

Passionate pursuits take time to hone and develop, especially if we’ve allowed them to sit on the back burner while we’ve been tending to more practical things. My two cents, nurture your passion and it will grow.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love teaching art to children. I started this journey couple of years back but the spark ignites when I see artwork from my students. My goal is to inspire and empower them to express their ideas, provide the tools and techniques that help them to get out of their comfort zone to think outside the box.

I am proud of my students’ work and always shows them how you can turn your mistake into creative work.

In Jo Arts classes, I let children to explore instead of copying what I am drawing on board. I always give them variation, we always talk about the project, jot down individual imagination and learn the variety of things that can go in the artwork. At the end of the project, we take time to each child to show their work and talk about his/her point of view. Also, this gives other students to share their perceptions about it. This exercise helps with leadership skills, confidence in sharing, and willingness to hear other’s points of view.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Meditation in nature, yoga, walks in the woods boost my mood and give me genuine joy & well-being. Luxury candles (Tom Ford’s fabulous) and dressy watches are my biggest vices. My dream vacation is to backpack through Western Europe; nothing fills me more creatively than traveling and exploring. I stayed in boarding school most of my education and had so many “ah ha” moments. I have an Advanced diploma in French and won many handwriting competitions. I was deep into Graphology in school and enjoyed handwriting analysis.

Contact Info:

• Website: joartscreation
• Instagram: Joartscreation
• Facebook: facebook.com/joartsgallery