Featured Art Experiences and Creative Workshops
Welcome to my world of creative play and mindful exploration. These images capture the heart of what I do: art that invites you to touch, connect, and breathe, far away from the 'do not touch' signs found in traditional galleries.
This is what it feels like to truly disconnect and create. Our Forest Art'beat Retreat is an immersion into nature, play, and connection, featuring everything from improv games in the woods to collective dancing around a fire. It’s a reset for the soul.
This sculpture, titled 'Dirty Fertility', was created from soil to explore the connection between Mother Earth and the sacredness of the female body. My art often delves into these deeper themes, using natural materials to question our conditioning and find beauty in what's raw and real.
There is a special magic that happens when we create on one canvas. This is from a collective coffee painting workshop where a team learned to let go of individual styles to form a beautiful, unified piece. It’s a powerful exercise in team bonding and creative collaboration.
Watch the mesmerizing dance of colors in a fluid art session. This art form is pure play and meditation. You don't need any experience, just a willingness to let go and see what unfolds. The results are always unique and surprising.
The pure, unadulterated joy of making a beautiful mess! This is the energy I strive for in my workshops. It's not about perfection; it's about the freedom to play, get your hands dirty, and laugh with a wonderful group of people.
This is a sample painting I created for a mural at our Art'beat Day Retreat. I often personify nature in my work, imagining the ancient Savandurga monolith as a guardian spirit. This piece served as the inspiration for a large, collective mural painted by our participants.
Don't just take my word for it. Listen to what past participants have to say about their experience at the Forest Art'beat Retreat. Their stories of transformation, connection, and rediscovering their creativity are the reason I do what I do.
About this collection
I don't believe in passive art, which is why everything I host is built around participation. Whether you are pouring fluid acrylics in an Indiranagar cafe or spending a weekend off-grid in a forest, my focus is on giving you full permission to make a mess. You do not need a single ounce of artistic training to join these sessions; you just need the curiosity to see what happens when you let go of perfection and just play.
Why I Create
I believe that creativity is a muscle, not a gift reserved for the 'talented' few. Our societal conditioning often teaches us to suppress our expression, to fear getting our hands dirty, or to worry about the final outcome. My work—whether it’s a coffee painting workshop or a forest retreat—is designed to dismantle that pressure.
What You Will Find Here
- City Workshops: I host regular sessions across Bangalore, from Indiranagar to Yeshwantpur. We use unconventional materials like coffee, wine, and discarded items to create art that tells a story. These sessions are about the process of making, not the result.
- Forest Art'beat Retreats: For those who need a complete reset, I take groups off-grid. We blend improv games, nature walks, river swims, and collective mural painting. It is an immersive experience where we literally reconnect with the earth.
- Collective Murals: One of my favorite projects involves collective creation. I love facilitating groups where everyone contributes to a single canvas or wall. It dissolves individual ego and allows a team to bond over the act of building something larger than themselves.
My Philosophy
Sustainability is not just a buzzword for me. When I use soil, eggshells, or recycled fabric, I am showing you that beauty exists in what we typically throw away. My art is meant to be touched, smelled, and lived in. If you are looking for a space to de-stress, meet like-minded people, or simply remember what it feels like to play without judgment, I invite you to join me.
Madhuri Umashankar
Hi, I’m Madhuri. I’ve always felt that rules like 'do not touch' kill the magic of art, so I created a space where you can get your hands dirty instead. Whether I’m guiding a collective mural project or hosting a retreat in the forest, my work is about proving that creativity is something we all carry inside us, waiting to be unleashed.
Looking for a different kind of creative space?
Browse my other sessions, from nature-based retreats to upcycled art workshops.
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