About Alika
Alika Kumar
Artist, Photographer, Sculptor, Business Consultant
While my life demands left-brain productivity, my right brain always seeks expression. I am a business consultant by day and an artist by heart. Art allows me the freedom to dissolve all borders, and explore with my imagination. So as a citizen of the earth, and a an amazing universe, I have made it my mission to gather world colors through my art.
I have previously exhibited in galleries in Phoenix, Glendale, Surprise, Flagstaff and in New York. My art is in the permanent collection of the Phoenix Sheraton Downtown, and in several private collections.
As an artist, I choose to give expression to my creativity by incorporating a variety of styles and mediums with a focus on color.
For example, the digital art creations are abstractions of photographs that I have taken of images that were drenched in color. These images were taken in museums, colorful bazaars half-way across the world, in churches, gardens and mid-city. Color is the key component and the various shapes of color create their own stories. The results are often surprising and enormously fun to create.
My Art Philosophy
I am motivated by the diversity of cultures, expressions, colors, shapes, life and the landscapes that cover our planet. In my artwork, I choose to celebrate the beauty, the hope and imagination. My work is an effort to reflect and honor my living experience with color, the lighter, deeper, and more positive side of the human experience.
Alika Kumar is a collector of memories, and what makes me pick up my art brushes is the desire to bring an inspiring image back to life and save it forever on to the canvas. With my artwork, I prefer to focus the vibrancy of everyday life. I am most inspired by the diversity of cultures, landscapes and biodiversity. My work incorporates a variety of materials and styles to create artworks that range from still life, florals, landscapes, and figurative done as abstracts, or representational or even realism.
RESUME
Born, Roorkie, India. Currently resident of Glendale, Arizona since 1980.
Education
● Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, AZ. Master of International Management, 2000
● Arizona State University West, Phoenix: Master of Business Administration, 2000; Bachelor of Science, Marketing, 1996.
● Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, NH: Executive Education, April 2006
Art Education
Painting -Primarily “self-taught” artist through online courses with:
● 2021: Milan Art Institute – Mastery Program
● 2021: "The Painterly Portrait Course by Alain J. Picard, Picard Studio LLC
● 2020: Marla Bagetta’s Color College
● 2019, Dan Scott’s Painting Academy, Draw Paint Academy
● 2018: Classes with Julie Gilbert Pollard
● 2017: Crista Cloutier: The Working Artist Masterclass
● 2017: Art Biz Accelerator Course, with Art Biz Coach, Stanfield Art Associates
● 2017: Figurative Abstracts, Week-long course with Robert Burridge, Sedona Arts Center
● 2016: How to Sell Your Art Online Course, Cory Huff
● 2013: Daniel Edmondson Studio;
● 2013: Johannes Vloothius at F&W Arts;
● 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016: Richard Robinson;
● 2009: Virtual Art Academy – Barry John Raybauld;
● Jerry Yarnell School of Fine Art;
SCULPTURE
● 2018: Sculpting the Figure, January 15 - 19, with Vala Ola, Scottsdale Artists' School, Arizona
● 2017: Studied sculpture under JD Parrish, Scottsdale Artists School
● 2017: Studied sculpture under Jerry Cox, Scottsdale Artists School
● 2016: Sculpting, with Jodi Creager
● 2016: Fiber Clay Workshop with Joanie Wolter
● Currently, Executive Director of the Phoenix MBDA Business Center.
Solo Exhibitions
● Northern Arizona University's College of Arts & Letters, April 9 -August 27, 2012: Solo exhibit.
● Mesa Performing Arts Center, May 14, 2011: Solo art exhibit at the “Partners in Recovery, Mind Matters” Dance Program featuring Dr. Padma M. Aking..
● Discover India Festival 2005: Held a solo exhibition at the Discover India Festival.
Group Exhibitions
● 2021, June 14 through August 16: “Summer Love” a juried virtual art show held by Arts HQ Gallery, West Valley Arts.
● 2021, Juried” Vacation Exhibit” at the Herberger Theater Center, February 5 – March 29, 2021, displayed virtually. Physical display from December 3, 2021 through January 3, 2022.
● 2019, August: Served as a juror for the In Celebration of Women art exhibit at the Herberger Theater Gallery.
● 2018, December: Participated in the Phoenix Artists Guild’s Judged Exhibit and Sale at the WHAM Community Art Center – West Gallery.
● 2018, November – January: Phoenix Artists Guild, Fine Art Exhibit, at Thunderbird Arts Center in Phoenix, November 30, 2017 to January 24, 2018.
● 2018, October -December: Phoenix Artists Guild Judged Exhibit and Sale at the Thunderbird Arts Center, October 13-December 13, 2018. “Delightful Delphiniums” won first place in the Acrylics category.
● 2018, September – October: West Valley Art Council's Surprise Invitational Exhibit, a juried exhibit at the West Valley Arts HQ, September 24 - October 26, 2018.
● 2018, May: Participated in Marriott Glendale Exhibit and Art Sale Opportunity -May 8, 2018
● 2018, March: “Interpretations III” by the Arizona Art Alliance at WHAM Gallery, Surprise, March 2-30, 2018, a juried visual arts competition, exhibit and sale.
● 2017, December: Approach of Life Juried Invitational WHAM West Gallery, December 1-30, 2017 at the Wham West Gallery, Surprise, Arizona. Selected piece was shown for an additional month.
● 2017, October-December: 4th Annual Surprise Invitational by the West Valley Arts Council (WVAC), a juried exhibit at the West Valley Arts HQ gallery, October 19 - December, 2017
● 2017, October- May: Phoenix Airport Museum (PAM) - Arizona Artists Guild’s (AAG) 90-Year Anniversary Exhibition (curated) on display in Terminal 4, Level 3 from October 28, 2017 through May 13, 2018.
● 2017, October-December: West Valley Arts Council’s (WVAC), 4th Annual Surprise Invitational, juried exhibit at the West Valley Arts HQ gallery. Oct. 19 - Dec. 20, 2017.
● 2013, February-March: Broadway Gallery, New York, March Show – Feb 25 To March 1, 2013: Featured in a full-page expose along with an artist's statement; Featured on Broadway Gallery’s website for a full year, receiving over one million page views a month; and, displayed three art pieces at the Broadway gallery, getting the same level of exposure as native New York artists.
● 2007, January: Shemer Art Gallery: Several works from the Journey Home series were selected for the exhibition titled “Around the World in 40 Days” in January 2007.
● 2005, March: Art Link’s Art Detour 2005: Participated in a group exhibition at the annual Art Detour in downtown Phoenix.
● Phoenix Artists Guild Judged Exhibit and Sale at the WHAM Community Arts Center, November 30 -December 28, 2018.
● 2006:, Summer: APS Art Gallery: Summer of 2007, part of an exhibit on India.
● Arizona State University -West Campus: “Temple Dance” on display currently.
Honors
● 2021, June: West Valley Arts – Third Place in juried art competition.
● 2020, August: Selected as a featured artist by the Herberger Theater Center, in the “Vacation” exhibit that was online from February 5 - March 29, 2021, and will be displayed physically in the Fall of 2021. The selected work was “Marigolds in Lucknow.”
● 2019, January: Featured in VoyagePhoenix Magazine as one of the hidden gems from Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
● 2017, December: Obtained 'Juried Status' in the Arizona Art Alliance
● 2008, June: Sheraton Downtown Phoenix 2008- Four paintings from the series “Urban Reflections” was purchased and is now on permanent display at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix on the second floor.
● 2007, October: Discover India Festival 2007- Created a series of art depicting themes from India in a new and abstract manner. “Journey Home” was selected to be featured on all publicity fliers and as the cover of the brochure for the Discover India Festival 2007, held at Heritage Square, Phoenix.
● 2006, October: Discover India Festival 2006- “Temple Dance” was selected to be featured on all publicity fliers and as the cover of the brochure for the Discover India Festival 2006 held at Heritage Square, Phoenix.
● 2005, October: Discover India Festival 2005- “Discover India” was selected to be featured on all publicity fliers, and as the cover of the brochure for the festival. Another piece “Diwali Diyas” was used as the back cover.
● 2006: City of Phoenix Mayor’s Office: A framed image of “Discover India” was presented to the City of Phoenix Mayor, Phil Gordon and was on display in his office in 2006.
Websites
● www.AlikaKumar.com
● https://FineArtAmerica.com/art/alika
Professional Affiliations
Arizona Artists Alliance
Arizona Artists Guild
Phoenix Artists Guild
West Valley Arts Council
Executive Board Member, Metro Phoenix Export Alliance 2017, Current
Board Member of India Association of Phoenix (2005, 2006, 2007).
Member of Women Business Builders at the Glendale Public Library (2006-2007).
Collections (Original works)
Sheraton Downtown Phoenix Hotel, Phoenix Arizona
Mr. & Mrs. Bautista, Chicago, IL
Mr. & Mrs. Saxena, Chicago, IL
Madame. J. Le Rouzic, La Batie Roland, France
Col. & Mrs. N. Kumar, New Delhi, India
A. Kimbrough, London, U.K.
D. Kattan, Phoenix, AZ, USA
S. Godiwala, Phoenix AZ, USA
B. Lal, Phoenix AZ, USA
Mr. & Mrs. Bolte, AZ, USA
Mr. & Mrs. Elliott, Phoenix AZ