Eashan Misra, well-known for his artistic alter-ego, goes on a mission to explore his own, creative self. Overcoming anxieties, exceeding imagination, and continuously growing as an artist, he brought Mr. Kalopsia to life who is now an integral part not only of his work but of his identity.
We had the pleasure to catch up with Eashan and talk about everything that drives him.
Continue scrolling and discover the story of Mr. Kalopsia.
What was your journey to becoming a successful artist?
They say, “Do what you love.” But how do you find the thing you love? How do you find your passion? Of course, by trying. And so I tried. I tried music, literature, painting, debating, photographing, and all kinds of things I could try in my school. Even if I was not good at something, I kept trying. And one fine night, I got a text in the school group chat of someone who wanted a poster to be designed. Without hesitating, I stood up and agreed to help him out. It took me 3 days and dozens of tutorials to create the poster, but the joy I received from seeing the result exceeded what I could express in words. It was a ‘Eureka’ moment. I found what I loved! For the next 2 years, I kept growing as an artist by creating art every day. What started as a hobby turned into a career. And that is how Kalopsia was born.
Does your art represent something about you?
Whenever someone says, “your art is not you, “ I differ. Mr. Kalopsia’s persona as an astronaut, who hides behind his “introverted” helmet, finds everyone around them as aliens. The man hiding in that suit, Eashan Misra, battles with his social anxieties and does not want to be seen. The spacesuit represents an artist’s curiosity who wants to explore the universe through art. Mr. Kalopsia is my art, and Mr. Kalopsia is my alter ego.
What inspires you to create?
For me, art is therapeutic. It is an expression of emotions. Some people express their feelings through words, some through music. The inspiration behind my art comes from everything I experience in my everyday life.
Are there any creators you look up to?
There’s no particular person who inspires me for the work that I do, but I have a lot of heroes. These heroes do not directly inspire my art, but they inspire me to work hard and make me believe I can overcome tough situations by giving everything to my goal and working towards achieving it, keeping full focus on my goal. Shifting my career from an engineer to a designer was one of the most courageous decisions I have made, and I couldn’t have done it without these heroes of mine. There’s Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Chris Gardner, to name a few. They are very inspiring, and I credit them for giving me the courage to be where I am today.
What do you enjoy the most about being an artist?
I think being a designer and an artist, it will be easier for me to explain by comparing the two fields. As a designer, I am asked to fulfill the needs of a client. Whereas as a designer, I have the freedom to express my emotions without any expectations from anyone. Sharing artworks on my social media is more like a public diary to me, where I share what I feel through my art.
You say that you’re fascinated by space. Why are you drawn to this subject? What do you like to do when you’re not creating?
My fascination for space extends far beyond my art. When I am not busy creating new surroundings for Mr. Kalopsia, I am reading. From Stephen Hawking to Carl Sagan to Meghnad Saha to Edwin Hubble, I devour it all. “What lies beyond our visible universe?” or “What happens inside a black hole?” The question no one can answer. But the answer lies inside every one of us. It lies inside our imagination. And over the years, I have developed skills to bring my imagination into life; through art.
On your website, you share the quote ‘Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known” by Carl Sagan. What does it mean to you?
I read this quote when I was 12. I had recently discovered my fascination for space and what lies beyond what we can see. Reading it developed a curiosity inside me filled with optimism that we can find answers to all the questions. The quote has stuck with my heart as I grew up because even today, this quote drives the curiosity in the artist inside me to look for answers and express them with art.
What are your dreams as an artist?
Although everyone interprets art in their own magical way, I want my art to create an impact in the lives of every viewer in the most magical way possible. The magic is in all of us, and art helps us find that magic.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Work hard and be nice to people.” This is something which I have always believed in very strongly and something I always try to impart to everyone. I believe that you are not born talented, but you induce talent by working hard. If you can add any meaning to the world with your knowledge and skill, you should do that and help as many people as you can.
Instagram: @mr.kalopsia
