Blanca Dixit Peralta uses multi layers of acrylic and oil on canvas to create figures that are real yet abstract ordinary and yet surreal, an experience enough to ignite a passion that is beyond one’s causal existence. The stunningly glamorous artist who heirs her beauty from her Indian mother and Spanish father is a trained dancer in Salsa, Tango, Jazz and Flamingo as well.

                

Tell us something about your schooling and how did you pick up painting?

I have done my schooling from the British School, New Delhi and then I earned a scholarship to hone my skills in fine arts and went to Boston. Art was something that has been bestowed upon me and has running in my genes as my father is a sculptor and my mother has been painting for the past fifteen years. I have been painting professionally since 2004 and now it’s been six years.

 

What do you do other than paintings?

I read, collect art movies, art books and yes travel a lot. I also love photography and graphic designing so sometimes they act in freshening up my mood. As of now I designed posters, invitation cards but only for friends it’s so much fun as we sit together, discuss, brainstorm, sketch and exchange ideas and experiences.

 

Who is your style, inspiration and muse for your art?

My art is very figurative, real, and abstract with a bit of surreal touch to it. I paint the reality through body form but it slightly slips beyond the ordinary space. My work is a lot inspired by the great old masters like Da Vinci, Salvador Dali and Michael Angelo.  

 

How do you plan your future?

I don’t plan much ahead in time and live life by how it comes. Now I am working for my upcoming exhibition in March which will be at the Indian Habitat Centre. The work is realistic and figurative in accordance with my style and takes the viewer into a different dimension and an absolutely new culture. I have a few more ideas that I will be working on subsequently after these exhibition. First would be works of art which is relative to my cultural responses, the next is based on my personal responses as an artist to the issues and causes in India. 

 

How was the experience of shooting with Rohit Chawla?

Rohit Chawla has been our family friend and has known my parents from the past 25 years so he has practically seen me growing up. So when he called me I jumped at the idea, since I am a painter myself I was very excited over this entire affair. Originally I had posed for two shots in the calendar but finally only one was picked up. But I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of modeling.

 

With a Personality and style like yours you can easily be mistaken for a model, would you like to become a model as well?

Actually modeling is not something new for me, I first modeled for a Godrej advert when I was 6 years old, then again at 12 for Hero cycles and yet again for vintage sunglasses. But somehow I was never very comfortable in front of the camera so never took up modeling as a career option.

 

Have you ever given fashion or designing a thought?

Talking in true sense I love designing clothes, I have tailor at home and I m constantly creating something or the other new for my wardrobe. Designing is something at the back of my mind and I will start taking it seriously in future though at this moment its only painting.

 

Who is your favourite designer?

I love Manish Arora because of his bold use of colours and full of life design, I find his creations very close to my sensibility, Tarun Tahiliani for his sophisticated elegant feminine dressing and Gauri & Nainika as their designs are a must have for every woman’s wardrobe. And among international brand I of course love Gucci, Prada and Issey Miyake. 

 

How do you take challenges and creativity blocks in your life?

I just pack my bags and go out even if for two days I drive to some mountains and I am fresh again. At times Delhi becomes very monotonous and a break is most required then I just call up my mom and tell her that I am leaving.

 

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?

I enjoy every jounre of music be it jazz, Trans, ambient, classical depending on my mood. Music always lifts up my spirit and it is the rhythm of life.

 

Being an artist your expression must be exposed to all sorts of philosophical thoughts and Imagery, do you have special associations with any particular social cause?

I am constantly working with a lot of NGO’s in aid of the mal nourished kids, kids suffering from AIDS and thousands of homeless children.

 

What is your greatest strength and greatest fear in life?

I take things as they come and learn from my past experiences so that I do not repeat the same mistakes again in life. I am also very aware of my surroundings. And my greatest fear is losing my loved ones, I am so scared of the thought that I don’t even think about it.