Arts & Entertainment

Avishek Chatterjee, a Painting and Tattoo Artist Who Overcame Tough Financial Times & Feels That Sacrifice is a Prerequisite For Success

Fine Art Painting Artist & Founder, Wall Dogs Artist Studiogurugram

The key to success is not avoiding challenges, but to embrace them.
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The key to success is not avoiding challenges, but to embrace them.
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A talented fine art painter, Avishek Chatterjee started doing tattoos too to expand his horizons. He has successfully established his studio and  teaches art to young aspirants, guiding them in the art of fine painting and tattooing. One of his paintings fetched a price of Rs. 3,50,000, reflecting his talent.

Avishek Chatterjee is the Founder and Owner of Wall Dogs Artists Studio in Gurugram which also has a  Tattoo Department.

A talented fine art painter, Chatterjee leads a company that specializes in various divisions of art and tattooing. Earlier he was doing fine arts only, but about two and a half years ago, he started doing tattoos too.

Chatterjee highlights that in the field of art, creativity goes beyond just painting or designing, it’s about understanding the deeper meaning behind concepts. He emphasizes that having clarity and knowledge of different cultural and mythological themes is crucial, especially in both painting and tattoo artistry. He explains that simply creating a beautiful image of Buddha does not make it great art; rather, it is the intricate details, symbolism, and thoughtful additions that elevate it to something truly special.

Apart from being a painting artist, Avishek Chatterjee is also a skilled Tabla player, having trained in playing the Tabla for 12 years. In his free time, he enjoys playing the Tabla, as well as the Flute and the Cajon. Additionally, he has a passion for singing. He shares that these musical activities help him reconnect with his childhood, bringing a sense of nostalgia and positive encouragement to keep moving forward in life.

Chatterjee also devotes time to studying and reading books on various art forms, recognizing the ever-evolving nature of artistic trends and people's changing preferences. He believes in continuous learning to stay aligned with new developments in the field. However, he emphasizes that studying should not be about memorizing everything but about truly understanding concepts from the heart. He advises individuals to first analyze their goals and interests before diving into learning, whether it's mastering social interactions or enhancing artistic skills, a focused approach leads to meaningful growth.

Born in Kolkata, Avishek Chatterjee was deeply influenced by the city's rich artistic heritage, which played a key role in shaping his strong fine art background. His passion for art got ignited at the young age of three. Although he was born into a well-established family, life took unexpected turns, presenting him with challenges that further fueled his artistic career.

Founder of Wall Dogs Studio, Avishek Chatterjee completed his schooling at Sarsuna High School in Kolkata, an all-boys institution. Later, he enrolled in college to pursue a degree in Microbiology Honors. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in Art and Painting, which had captivated him since childhood. This realization led him to shift his focus back to his creative pursuits.

To pursue his passion for art, Avishek Chatterjee, with the support of his friends, secured admission to an arts college. He seized the opportunity and successfully completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the prestigious Government College of Arts and Craft in Kolkata. This step marked the beginning of his professional life in the world of fine arts.

After completing his bachelor's degree, Avishek Chatterjee aspired to pursue his master’s degree from Pakistan. However, due to certain challenges, he opted to complete his course online, ensuring that his passion for learning and advancing in fine arts remained uninterrupted.

Avishek Chhatterjee shares that his true understanding of the importance of art came when he joined art college for the first time. During childhood, he spent most of his time playing and engaging in various activities, but it was only later that he realized the depth and significance of the artistic world.

Talking about his role models, Chhatterjee shares that his father has been his greatest inspiration. He recalls various challenging situations that taught him valuable lessons. His father was in business, but despite investing significant time and effort, financial success remained elusive for him. From this, Avishek learned that starting a business requires a deep understanding of its processes, including what to do and what to avoid. He further admires his father for his resilience, as even after facing numerous struggles, he continues to stand strong and support Avishek through the ups and downs of his entrepreneurial life.

Today, Avishek Chatterjee is successfully running and expanding his business. He appreciates his father’s approach to handling challenges, as he never presented problems in a way that would make Avishek fearful of business or difficult situations. He recalls a valuable piece of advice his father gave him before this interview: "Share only what you have learned; don’t explain everything. With time, people will understand where you have come from." This wisdom has guided Avishek in his life, reinforcing the importance of experience and personal growth.

Tattoo Artist Avishek reflects on how struggles and challenges evolved with time and age. As a child, he fondly remembers his family’s tradition of donating food to the less fortunate. However, as life moved forward, things changed, his grandfather passed away, and the responsibility of managing the business fell on his father. Despite his father’s dedication and relentless efforts, he faced difficulties in sustaining the business. Over time, this led to financial instability, marking a turning point in Avishek’s life shaping his perspective on resilience and perseverance.

He recalls how everything changed, assets and properties went out of hand,  and the people also left. With time, his parents struggled to fulfill his wishes and desires, which deeply affected him. He shares that it was especially painful because there was a time when he had everything he wanted, and suddenly, life took a different turn. This experience taught him the value of resilience and shaped his determination to rebuild and create his own path.

Art Instructor Avishek Chatterjee recalls that his major struggles began during his time in art college when his father faced immense financial difficulties in paying his tuition fees. His father worked tirelessly to ensure Avishek’s education continued. One day, Avishek discovered from one of his father’s friends that his father had even sold his blood to pay the fees. This revelation deeply moved him, making him realize the extent of his father’s sacrifices, reinforcing his determination to succeed.

Avishek Chatterjee recalls the financial hardships he faced during his time in art college. He used to receive only around ₹12 for his daily commute, with the JM3 bus fare costing ₹6. Sometimes, he had no choice but to sleep wherever he ate, as the last bus departed at 12:30 AM.

He mentions that some art colleges in Kolkata remain open 24 hours, allowing students to work overnight. During exhibitions, he frequently went without food or proper rest, sometimes even sleeping on pathways. He shares a memorable incident when he slept outside a Haldiram’s shop, only to be woken up the next morning by his principal, who kindly told him, “You should have come to my house to sleep.”

Avishek believes that struggles are essential for personal growth. He emphasizes that if one does not face challenges or overcome obstacles, you will never truly understand the positives and negatives of life.

He talks about his own experience stating the sacrifices he made to establish his institute, sharing that he has not seen his mother in person for the last seven years, but has been able to talk to her only through video calls. He emphasizes that, to build something meaningful, one must be willing to lose something or put in immense effort—it does not come easily. Today, he proudly owns an institute, a space for discussions, and a studio, all of which stand as the result of his dedication and sacrifices.

Owner of Wall Dogs Artists Studio Avishek Chatterjee shares that his father had been staying with him, while his mother lived in Kolkata. After nine years of struggle and perseverance, he has finally been able to bring his mother to Gurugram, marking a significant milestone of his life.

Chatterjee further shares that while life is filled with struggles, dwelling on them serves no purpose. Instead, he encourages embracing challenges and pushing forward with determination. He emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s goals with the direction life is taking, ensuring a process marked by consistency, purpose, and growth.

He emphasizes the importance of determination, suggesting young aspirants never to abandon the path of struggle midway. While life  may be challenging, resilience and time will pave the way forward. In moments of doubt or demotivation, he advises reflecting on the progress made, as looking back at how far one has come serves as a powerful reminder of strength, growth, and the ability to overcome obstacles.

During the pandemic, Avishek Chatterjee faced financial hardships, forcing him to shut down one of his two studios. With no steady work and limited financial resources, he was unable to afford rent for both the spaces. In 2020, he transitioned into the tattoo industry, while his fine art practice shifted entirely online. This shift made maintaining two studios impractical, leading him to consolidate his workspace and adapt to the changing circumstances.

Chatterjee recalls a turning point during the pandemic when he secured a significant order from a major corporate house. This opportunity allowed him to sustain his operations despite financial challenges. He also sold one of his most expensive paintings for ₹3,50,000, the highest amount he had ever received for a single piece. This sale provided much-needed financial stability during the crisis. Reflecting on this experience, he emphasizes that if one's art and vision are strong, no one can shake your foundation or hinder your progress.

Chatterjee further shares a deeply emotional experience from the pandemic, recalling the heartbreaking loss of his close friend's father. He describes how, during that time, even the family and relatives of his friend could not come for the funeral, leaving him and his friend to perform the final rites. He expresses that those were some of the saddest days of his life, as he also lost members of his own family to COVID-19. The devastating impact of the pandemic left lasting scars, underlining the fragility of life and the importance of standing by loved ones in difficult times.

Avishek Chatterjee shares that he owes his success and survival to his art, as it has been his constant source of strength. During the COVID-19 crisis, his art not only helped him save one of his studios but also enabled him to reach a stable and comfortable position. He firmly believes that no matter what challenges arise in the future, he will overcome them with the power of his art, as it has always been his guiding force.

Chatterjee  shares that he does not follow a gym routine or a strict diet, but his work itself keeps him physically active. Creating graffiti, for instance, requires him to move up and down multiple times, which acts as a natural workout, keeping him fit. He further emphasizes his commitment to continuous improvement, whenever he gets a new concept or idea, he immediately sketches or draws it in his free time, ensuring that his creativity remains sharp and ever-evolving.

Chatterjee shares his perspective on the comparison between education and experience, emphasizing that while they are different, they are also interconnected. He believes that experience itself creates education. Using his own life experience as an example, he explains that during his four-year course, he learned the most by practicing and doing things hands-on.

He highlights that simply reading books is not enough—real learning happens through execution. He illustrates this with the process of creating a painting: the first attempt may only be 20% of the desired quality, but with practice, it improves to 40%, then 60%, and so on. Over time, experience refines skills, deepens knowledge, and ultimately shapes true education.

Chatterjee emphasizes that experience comes with time and has played a crucial role in his life. When he entered the tattoo industry, he initially learned through online courses and theoretical knowledge. However, he quickly realized that understanding tattooing in theory was very different from actually working on real skin. He explains that practicing on artificial skin did not fully prepare him for real-life tattooing, as the texture, ink absorption, and overall impact vary significantly.

He further connects this idea to art and life, stating that just like in tattooing, true mastery in any field comes from hands-on experience. Theory and practice must go hand in hand to gain a deep understanding and refine skills.

Avishek Chaterjee further emphasizes that while degrees do hold value, experience and skills will play a far more significant role in future. He highlights that times are changing, and industries are shifting their focus from formal education to practical expertise. Citing Elon Musk, he recalls Musk’s statement that working for Tesla does not necessarily require a degree but rather skills and hands-on knowledge.

He believes that many companies may adopt a similar approach in the future, prioritizing real-world experience over academic qualifications. He encourages individuals to focus on continuous learning, practical application, and honing their craft, as these will be the true determinants of success in the evolving professional landscape.

Fine Arts Artist  Avishek Chatterjee highlights the importance of continuous learning, acknowledging that his perspectives are shaped by his experiences and may not always be absolute or final. He humbly states that what he shares is based on his personal life and understanding, and there is always room for new insights and growth.

As a Fine Arts Educator, Avishek Chatterjee has observed a common mistake among students- many are unaware of their goals and vision. He notes that students often struggle with identifying their aspirations and the direction they want to take in life. Avishek believes that clarity of purpose is essential for success and encourages students to take time to reflect, explore, and align their passions with their future ambitions.

Avishek Chatterjee shares that the transition from childhood to maturity is a brief yet critical phase in life. Within this gap, individuals either move towards the right path or deviate towards the wrong one. Those who choose the right path often go on to achieve meaningful success in their lives.

However, he observes that many who stray onto the wrong path do so due to a lack of clarity regarding their goals and vision. Without a clear sense of purpose, people may find themselves lost, making choices that lead them away from their true potential. Avishek emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and goal-setting, encouraging individuals to take charge of their direction in life.

Tattoo Studio Owner Avishek Chatterjee shares a valuable piece of advice for those striving to achieve something in life- before starting any career, it is crucial to set a clear vision or goal. He emphasizes the importance of defining a target, aspiring to be like someone who has already achieved success in that field.

He acknowledges that feelings of jealousy may arise when looking at someone who has accomplished what you desire. However, rather than letting jealousy become a negative force, he advises using it as motivation. Instead of resenting that person’s success, one should strive to stay connected with them, learn from their experiences, and understand the steps they took to reach their position.

Chatterjee further adds to this by highlighting that the key is not to compete with them in a negative way but to align your own path with theirs. By observing and understanding their process, individuals can find inspiration and direction to carve out their own success.

To young aspirants, Avishek encourages them to never stop working and moving forward. He emphasizes that the moment one feels like giving up is precisely the point where they need to push harder and put in even more effort.

He believes that challenges and moments of self-doubt are natural, but they should not become roadblocks. Instead, they should serve as indicators that success is just beyond the struggle. He advises individuals to embrace these difficult moments, as they often lead to breakthroughs and growth.

Avishek further advises young aspirants to always pursue what they truly love, even if they are engaged in a different job for survival. He emphasizes that if someone is passionate about dancing, painting, music, or any other art form, they should continue practicing it regularly, regardless of their current profession. By staying connected to their passion, you would maintain your dedication and stay aligned with their true goals.

He shares that many individuals with high-paying jobs come to him for learning art, because despite their financial success, they feel unfulfilled. This is because they are not doing what they truly wanted to pursue. Avishek clarifies that having a job for financial stability is not wrong, but one should never lose sight of their original dreams and aspirations.

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Watch the Inspiring Story of Fine Arts & Tattoo Artist Avishek Chatterjee | Studio Owner

Meet Avishek Chatterjee, a fine art and tattoo artist, successful entrepreneur & founder of Wall Dogs Artists Studio in Gurugram.