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After retiring from her career as a pathologist, Neela Pushparaj discovered a passion for watercolor painting. She began taking lessons at the Summit Adult Education program and later attended du’ Cret, an art school in Plainfield, New Jersey. It was during this time that Neela became deeply involved in watercolor, using bright, vibrant colors and a unique technique of adding colors to wet or damp paper and allowing shapes to emerge through negative painting.

“I like and use a lot of color in my work; I use a veritable feast of colors in my florals which are semi-abstract to sometimes totally abstract. I am more restrained in my landscapes and still life work,” Neela shared. “Painting is an integral part of my life. It is an expression of my joy in everything I see.”

Over the years, Neela has exhibited her work in various locations, including the St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York, Atlantic City Medical Center, and FCGAdvisors, a financial services firm in Chatham, New Jersey. She has also participated in art residencies at Scenic Hudson, the Red Barn in Beacon, New York, and Poland. In addition to exhibiting her work, Neela has donated paintings to fundraising events for the Summit Rotary Club scholarship and St. Francis Hospital Foundation.

As an active member of the NJCVA, NJWS, GSWCS, and the Essex Watercolor Club, Neela has won awards for her watercolor paintings and has been invited to demonstrate her style at art clubs in the area. On top of being recognized for her exemplary work and receiving numerous accolades, she has also served as the art director of WomanArt, a show organized by the Summit College Club for women artists in the tri-state area, for the past five years. 

Neela’s passion for watercolor painting is evident in her stunning works, which are inspired by her love of color and her desire to create semi-abstract to totally abstract florals. Through her art and her involvement in the art community, Neela continues to inspire and support fellow artists.

Now in her 80s, Neela continues to share her love of watercolor painting with others, offering lessons at her home in Summit. Through her art, she hopes to inspire and empower others to create, succeed, and stay inspired.