In India, the term "artist" often brings to mind the image of someone painting walls or creating portraits, but there's so much more to it than that. Unfortunately, many people still don't understand the potential of a career in surface pattern design. They might ask, "But how will you make a living?" or "What else do you plan to do besides just making art?"

But fear not! Instead of feeling frustrated by these questions, let's use them as an opportunity to share our passion with others. I personally love waiting for people to ask me what I do, just so I can give them a free session on the amazing world of surface pattern design. It's so rewarding to see their faces light up when they realize how much potential there is in this field.

Of course, it's not always easy to convince our parents and friends that we can thrive as artists. But that's why it's important to educate ourselves and others on the commercial possibilities of our craft. It's not just about creating beautiful designs - it's about making a living doing what we love.

So let's continue to spread the word about surface pattern design, and show the world what we're capable of. Who knows, maybe one day we'll be the ones inspiring the next generation of artists!