“Children connect with my work because they are illustrative with clear cut lines. At the same time, there is a certain randomness and symmetry to them with clear shapes and forms,” says Nidhi Mariam Jacob.

“There are no boundaries there either: in some of my paintings, the leaves are blue and the colours go beyond actual botanical forms. That is something I truly enjoy about my work.”

Finding a garden where the unexpected grow, can be a delight not only for children, but also for adults. Shape of My Heart, the Bengaluru-based artist’s ongoing show, is just that — a magical place where flowers of all shapes and sizes grow in gay abandon.

According to the artist, the exhibition is a tribute to her late mother Helen, who she remembers as always gardening, coaxing verdant life from even the most difficult terrain.

“She was a great influence on my work where nature, gardening, flowers and plants, were concerned. I learned so much from her and she inspired me to do the work I do now. This show is my first solo after she passed and I wanted to dedicate it to her.”

Nidhi says she came into this whimsical style of her own after years of constant painting and sketching. “I used to be a graphic designer but after a point, grew tired of sitting at a computer. I wanted work and create with my hands.”

Initially usure of which creative path to take — sculpting and landscaping were contenders — Nidhi says she decided on taking up painting full time, something she had been doing since childhood.

“I was always painting and had created quite a few watercolours and murals for homes. When I became a full-time artist, I told family and friends I would be happy to work on any surface — whether it was a chair, table, trunk or wall.”

Till she found her groove, Nidhi used different styles, doing a lot of realistic work, most of which was botanical in nature. “About nine years ago, I started working towards finding a signature style that was unlike anybody else’s. Initially, I was painting flowers that were realistic. Slowly, I started mixing the features of different flowers such as a rose and a tulip to create something new or add stamen to flora that did not have them. That is how the fantasy gardens came about.”

It was an organic process, however. “I painted my first fantasy garden on a piece of cardboard and posted it on Instagram. I was just beginning to use the platform and a collector in Bengaluru offered to buy it right away, saying, ‘in a couple of years, I won’t be able to afford you’,” laughs Nidhi.

“She encouraged me to stick with it, and sure enough, within six to eight months I started getting clients from all over for commissioned works.”

Life was not always a bed of roses, but today, Nidhi is quite content with the fruitful turn her life has taken.

Shape of My Heart comprises around 20 works created using acrylic on canvas over the past two years. Each piece is testament to the emotional tumult she has undergone following her mother’s demise, says Nidhi, adding though she is in the habit of titling her work, this is the first time she has used Indian names.

“There is Mukti, Artha, Samsara — each marking a step in the spiritual journey that I went through dealing with grief. Each piece denotes a feeling. For instance, Dusk has the grey background of the evening, with the flowers adding a pop of colour to that shadowy environment,” says Nidhi. “One of the most joyous feature of this series were the names I gave my paintings.”

According to the artist, the exhibition is an opportunity to view her works in real time as customarily they are commissioned and sent to clients on completion. With the exception of one of her works on display at the Bangalore International Airport’s Terminal 2, most of her work can viewed on social media.

Shape of My Heart by Nidhi Mariam Jacob is on display at KYNKYNY Art Gallery till August 22, 2026. Entry free, Sunday closed.