Neha Gopinath Pillai

"I love working with clay. It has always fascinated me because of the creative freedom it offers. It twists and turns easily and, since it is porous, it soaks in a gazillion colors, allowing a lot of room for creativity and experimentation.

"What I know about the ceramic arts has been self-taught or learned from my mentor, a teacher by profession with more than 20 years of experience. Since 2008, I have been working and attending seminars to learn more and widen my horizon.

"The decision to quit a steady job and make my hobby a full time career was a huge challenge. But the moral backing I have from my family is immense. It's been a journey since I set up my workshop in 2012, and I've faced issues ranging from basic requirements like space and assistants to more complicated situations, but I'm proud of the way I handled them with the help and advice of loved ones.

"One day, I'd like to have a small fully-equipped studio that not only would be my workplace but also act as a platform for budding artisans. I want to travel and learn more about the art.

"When we look around, there is absolutely no dearth of inspiration. A dainty leaf, a mythological form or just what you happen to see outside your window — everything influences my designs!

"I believe a wide variety of art forms can be made with environmentally friendly choices while keeping our traditional practices alive."