In the vibrant creative corridors of Panaji, one young artist is quietly yet confidently shaping her own path. Ria Kudchadkar, founder of RiaaStudio, is a mixed-media artist whose journey from childhood sketches to a budding creative enterprise is driven by a deep, lifelong connection with art.
A Childhood Rooted in Creativity
For Ria, art has never been a hobby, it has always been home. Long before she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Goa College of Art, she found solace in colours, brushes, and imagination. Whether painting before finishing homework or eagerly creating extra assignments for drawing class, art was her language of expression. That emotional bond still defines her work today.
Her artistic curiosity naturally led her toward experimentation. Though Acrylic and Gouache remain her primary mediums, she frequently explores watercolour, clay, oil, glazed tiles, mosaics, and mixed-media combinations. These experiments often become the foundation for her most expressive pieces.
The Birth of RiaaStudio
While still in college, Ria’s entrepreneurial spark was ignited when she and her classmates showcased their work at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). A small collection of hand-painted bookmarks and bag tags unexpectedly received enthusiastic responses, planting the first seeds of possibility.
Around the same time, posting her art on Twitter brought encouragement from friends and online supporters. After completing her degree in 2023, she took a decisive leap and launched @RiaaStudio on Instagram, transforming what began as casual sharing into a personal brand.
A Studio Built on Creativity and Craftsmanship
RiaaStudio is an extension of Ria’s artistic spirit. She creates and sells:
- Original paintings (framed and unframed)
- Hand-painted concrete trinket trays
- Bookmarks, bag tags, and luggage tags
- Greeting cards
- Glazed tiles and azulejos
- Mosaic pieces
- Affordable prints of her artworks
Custom requests are welcomed, allowing clients to bring personal ideas to life. Every product reflects her meticulous approach, producing in small batches ensures she can evaluate each piece with care and maintain the quality her customers value.
Challenges and Determination in a Digital Era
Like many small businesses built online, RiaaStudio has faced the unpredictability of social media algorithms. Despite the hurdles, Ria continues refining her strategies, exploring ways to reach a wider audience while remaining true to her identity as an artist.
Pop-up stalls and exhibitions have become important for connecting directly with customers, offering authentic interactions that go beyond the screen. These offline engagements also help her gather genuine feedback and expand her professional network.
Staying Motivated Through Passion and People
Two sources fuel Ria’s momentum, her unwavering love for creating and the heartfelt appreciation of her customers. Encouraging messages from clients, especially after receiving their orders, serve as reminders that her art has meaning beyond the canvas. These interactions reinforce her belief that every small step contributes to something bigger.
A Personal Milestone: Art That Finds a Home
While Ria considers herself early in her artistic career, she already treasures one significant achievement: the fact that people choose her art for their personal spaces. For her, nothing is more rewarding than knowing her work resonates deeply enough for someone to bring it into their home.
Staying Authentic in an Evolving Creative Landscape
To remain inspired, Ria visits exhibitions and explores the works of contemporary artists both offline and online. However, she firmly believes that authenticity, not trends, is what sustains an artist. Staying consistent with her voice and vision is her way of navigating competition in the creative marketplace.
A One-Woman Enterprise
Behind RiaaStudio is just one person, Ria herself. She manages every aspect of the business: product development, painting, photography, packaging, marketing, editing, and customer interaction. Her ability to balance artistic production with business responsibilities showcases her persistence and versatility.
Building Connections That Matter
Networking plays a crucial role in her growth. Meeting artists, engaging with visitors at pop-ups, and sharing conversations at art events have helped her expand her reach. Ria encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to invest time and effort into building genuine relationships, often the foundation of unexpected opportunities.
Balancing Work and Well-Being
Ria understands the importance of rest and creative rejuvenation. Music, movies, and sunset walks help her disconnect after long workdays. She also loves experimenting with new mediums, explorations that often lead to fresh ideas and future projects.
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Her message is simple yet powerful: stop doubting yourself and take the leap. Fear of failure once held her back from opportunities she wished she had embraced. Today, she believes even failure carries lessons that contribute to future success.
Looking Ahead: Dreams for RiaaStudio
Ria envisions expanding into:
- Larger artworks
- Wholesale and bulk orders
- Archival-quality prints
- A dedicated studio space
- Collaborative art projects with fellow creators
Her goal is to transition from working out of her bedroom to owning a creative workspace where her ideas, and those of others, can thrive.
A Journey Built on Heart, Craft, and Hope
Ria Kudchadkar’s story is one of quiet resilience and steady growth. Through her artistry and her studio, she continues to carve a meaningful space in Goa’s creative landscape—proving that with passion, patience, and authenticity, even the most personal dreams can evolve into impactful ventures.
