A 29-year-old artist from Udaipur, Pooja Rathore has a profound love for nature. Growing up in Rajasthan, she found inspiration in the mud houses she saw while travelling. “The texture of those walls is almost primordial; it is something that cannot be replicated,” she recalls.

Art has been a part of Pooja’s life since childhood. “All the gifts that my father would give me were somehow art-related. I think that might be where it all started,” she reflects. This passion led her to study visual arts at IISU, Jaipur, in 2013.

During the lockdown, Pooja began experimenting with natural materials in her art. “I was making a lot of abstract art with natural hues anyway. I really enjoyed that process, but then I thought why not just use natural materials to make it,” she says.

Thus, ‘Studio The Soil’ was born, a project that reflects Pooja’s connection with nature. “I wanted to bring the outside in,” she says, explaining how she creates a space that incorporates materials like mud, cow dung, and flour to reflect the earth’s beauty

Creating these pieces is a meticulous process. “First, I compose the figures, if there are any, and define the lines of the artwork. Then I try to see how that composition can be made using certain natural pigments and materials,” explains Pooja.

Working with natural materials presents its own challenges. “Unlike synthetic paints, natural materials don’t hold on to the canvas cloth,” Pooja shares. She experimented with various textures and balanced natural pigments to create stunning artworks.

Pooja’s first piece for Studio The Soil features the word ‘Ram’ written using cow dung, white charcoal, and husk. It marked the start of her new artistic journey. “I hadn’t named the studio yet, but it felt like it was the beginning of something,” she reflects.

Pooja is committed to finding materials from nature rather than purchasing them. “I don’t buy anything unless I’m experimenting and want to use certain natural materials that I can’t find in my immediate surroundings. But if anyone wants to do something similar, please just go out and get it,” she advises.

Pooja says that one of the most difficult materials to work with is cow dung. “The texture cannot be replicated, but it’s very difficult to work with because of the smell,” Pooja admits. Despite the challenges, she values its authenticity and the unique feel it brings to her work.

For Pooja, art is a tool for mindfulness and connection with nature. “I want the studio to inspire people to just go outside, use their hands, and remind themselves that what we have here is precious,” shares Pooja, who aims to promote a deeper appreciation for nature.