The Artpreneur's Journey: Behind the Scenes
This isn't a highlight reel. It’s the messy, honest, and sometimes exhausting truth of quitting a corporate job to build a life out of art.
I've been a calligrapher for years, but recently, art started taking the lead. This photo was taken as I was transitioning my work and my website to reflect where I am now. It's me, surrounded by my new direction.
Eight years ago, I bet my whole life on art. All I had was a stubborn love for creating. This image, with the text overlay, is part of a series reflecting on my journey.
Part of my 8-year reflection series. I've worked with so many brands I once only admired from afar. This photo of me at a Dior event is a reminder of how far I've come.
The journey has been exhilarating and exhausting. There were days I questioned every choice. This candid shot of me working from home captures the reality of building a business.
My first time being featured in a print newspaper, the Sunday Midday. Seeing my work and my story in print was a surreal and incredibly proud moment after eight years of hard work.
A screenshot of the "Artpreneur is upon us" article I was featured in. It was an honor to be part of a conversation about how artists are transforming their art into thriving businesses.
Balancing being an artist with the dream of becoming a tattoo artist. Here's a look at my desk, where I'm designing a custom calligraphy tattoo on my iPad.
A closer look at the digital tattoo design process. I love exploring new ways to apply my calligraphy skills, and tattoo design is a passion I'm excited to pursue.
Don't just believe me, hear what my past students say. These are real reviews from my online calligraphy workshops, a part of my business I'm very proud of.
A throwback to 2017 and my first project after quitting my corporate job. I collaborated with 7 other artists to create this moving piece of art on a taxi for Asian Paints. It was terrifying and magical.
About The Artpreneur's Journey
People see the final painted bottle or the clean calligraphy on a scroll, but they rarely see the prep that goes into it. Whether I’m packing kits for a workshop or prepping my gear for a long live engraving session, the reality is a mix of rigorous planning and physical stamina. You’re paying for the art, yes, but you’re also hiring someone who treats a short event appearance with as much precision as a week-long painting commission.
Eight years ago, I walked away from a six-year corporate career because I needed to see if I could make something real with my own hands. That transition was not a clean break. It was a period of unlearning perfectionism and accepting that a creative life often looks like a messy desk, failed experiments, and the constant hustle of running a small studio in Mumbai.
The Reality of the Craft
My work—whether it's custom engraving on perfume bottles or large-scale abstract paintings—is defined by technical boundaries. When I work with luxury brands, I am not just an artist; I am a service provider. I have to manage time, transport, and the unpredictability of live environments. For clients who commission me, this means you get someone who understands that a wedding vow scroll isn't just paper; it is a keepsake that needs to handle handling and time.
My Studio Approach
I operate out of a studio in Chembur, where I handle everything from the initial consultation for a canvas commission to the final packaging of a gift. I don’t believe in mass production. If you commission an abstract painting, you get two progress updates during the process. If you book an engraving, the item is sourced, etched, and finished with a clear coat for durability. It is slow, deliberate, and entirely mine.
Why I Share This
I write about this journey because it is important for you to know who you are hiring. I am not a massive agency with infinite capacity. I am a person who thrives on the intimate connection between the creator and the client. When you work with me, you are getting the full, unfiltered effort of eight years of trial and error.
Rachna Takawale
I’m Rachna. I spent six years in a corporate cubicle before I decided that if I was going to be tired, I’d rather be tired from doing work that actually meant something. I don’t offer generic packages; I offer a partner who cares about the soul of your project as much as you do.
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