A Deep Dive with Neelam Padte

As we near the end of Women's History Month (even though we honor female greatness 365) and to celebrate our current 'No Rain, No Flowers' exhibition curated by PXP Contemporary we sat down with featured artist Neelam Padte to learn more about her creative journey and what's inspired her along the way.

Q: Reflecting on your journey, what key milestones and challenges have shaped your inspiration as an artist?

Neelam: My artistic journey has been shaped by several milestones and challenges.  In art school, I studied graphic design and did not explore painting.  However, I was always drawn to painters like Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Georges Seurat. When I first took up painting, I started with geometric compositions.  I tapped into my computer graphics background to create mockups in Illustrator and Photoshop, which I then transposed onto canvas. 

Later in my journey, I explored fluid art but felt unfulfilled by its unpredictability and paint wastage. I then turned to landscapes, using my plein air sketching background as a foundation.  I was immediately challenged by abstract acrylic landscapes, which was antithetical to my precise tendencies as a floorcloth artist of the previous fourteen years.  I had to consciously relinquish control and allow more fluidity and spontaneity into my work.

A pivotal moment came when I discovered my signature abstract landscapes—lyrical, evocative, and deeply personal—which gave me the confidence to embrace my artistic identity.

Participating in art fairs and gallery shows, like the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, ArtExpo NY and the Other Art fair Brooklyn, has been both challenging and transformative. I learned how to engage viewers and connect emotionally through my work, while also navigating the business side of art.

Ultimately, every hurdle—technical, logistical, or emotional—has deepened my creative expression. These experiences continue to inspire me to paint places I’ve never been, yet somehow feel I’ve always known.

Q: Can you share a particular experience or project that you are especially proud of and how it has influenced your style?

Neelam: A body of work I’m especially proud of is my abstract landscapes. They represent a pivotal expansion in my practice, moving beyond the structured, historic early American designs of my floorcloths—many of which are in museum collections across the U.S. While I continue to create floorcloths and have produced over 22,000 square feet over the past 26 years, abstract painting opened the door to a more intuitive and expressive visual language. This evolution has come to define my style, allowing me to create meditative, atmospheric landscapes that resonate better on an emotional level.

During the COVID pandemic, my Instagram following began to grow, and I started receiving emotionally charged messages from first responders saying that my paintings helped them feel mentally relaxed and recover after long strenuous shifts. Their encouragement motivated me to create more meditative and soothing landscapes.

Q: How do you approach mentorship and support for other women in your space?

Neelam: I support all artists by sharing guidance on shows, art materials, social media, and helping them feel confident to take creative risks.

Q: We all need a little help along the journey. Who have been some of your mentors? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?

Neelam: One of my greatest mentors has been my husband. When I was focused only on floorcloths, he encouraged me to start painting—a nudge that changed the course of my artistic journey. His belief in me gave the confidence to take risks, explore, and find my own voice in abstract landscapes.

Q: What’s a childhood object or photo you still think about?

Neelam: A small sketchbook from my childhood still lingers in my mind. It taught me to see, imagine, and translate the world—even before I knew I’d become a painter.

Q: Do you have a book/podcast/talk that’s had a deep impact on your thinking?

Neelam: I’ve been deeply influenced by meditation and mindfulness podcasts. They’ve shaped how I think, and approach my work—encouraging me to slow down, focus on the process, and create paintings that feel meditative and calming.

Q: If your art had a soundtrack, what song or artist would it be?

Neelam: If my art had a soundtrack, it would be the music of Ludovico Einaudi. His piano compositions are minimal yet deeply emotional, with a sense of flow and quiet introspection that mirrors the mood I try to create in my abstract landscapes. Each piece feels like a journey—much like my paintings—places you’ve never been, yet somehow feel you’ve always known.

Q: Lastly, how can our readers follow you?

Instagram: @artbyneelam & @designvillage

Portfolio: www.artbyneelam.com & www.floorcloth.net