Padmaja Dubey grew up in Jamshedpur, a quintessential steel township, in a large joint family. She spent her childhood running freely in maidaans lined with Gulmohar trees, observing nature and people, and putting her thoughts on paper. She won first prize in the prestigious Shankar’s International Children’s Art Competition in Grade 8.

Her love for art led her to Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, in the early ’90s— She was among the first from Jamshedpur to pursue fine arts, paving the way for others. She completed her master’s in Portraiture while actively exhibiting at renowned Mumbai galleries.

After working in the corporate and animation industries, she transitioned to teaching, discovering her passion for guiding young artists. Now a Cambridge-certified Art & Design facilitator, she has spent over 17 years mentoring students in self-expression through visual storytelling.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, she turned to art as therapy....