Satya Swagat Mohanty: The Artist’s Journey from Humble Beginnings to Digital Animations

May 15, 2024

4 Minutes

Hailing from the city of Bhubaneswar, Orissa, Satya Swagat Mohanty has embarked on an artistic journey that has taken him from pencil sketches to intricate digital animations. His path has been marked by detours, setbacks, and breakthroughs, ultimately culminating in the realization of his true calling as an artist.

Early Artistic Inclinations and the Influence of Academics

During his childhood, Satya possessed an unyielding curiosity for art and actively participated in extracurricular activities that fostered his creativity. However, his academic prowess in science, particularly physics, presented him with a dilemma.

Upon choosing physics as his undergraduate major at the behest of his teachers, Satya realized that his passion lay elsewhere. The allure of mathematics and literature that had captivated him in other subjects was absent in this scientific discipline.

Finding Solace in the Art of Sketching

Disillusioned with his foray into physics, Satya sought solace in sketching as a respite from his studies. Inspired by a new friend, he attempted to create a pencil portrait as a thoughtful birthday gift.

Despite his enthusiasm, Satya faced significant challenges in capturing the friend’s likeness. His lack of experience in sketching human figures proved to be a formidable obstacle. After numerous attempts and countless erasures, he was forced to concede defeat.

The Transforming Power of Digital Art

Coinciding with the early stages of social media’s dominance, Satya stumbled upon a pencil filter that held the potential to transform his sketches into more refined works of art. He applied the filter to his friend’s photograph and was astounded by the results, witnessing his sketch seemingly come to life before his very eyes.

This newfound tool rekindled Satya’s passion for portraiture and set him on a path toward honing his skills.

The Stagnation Phase and the Quest for Purpose

As Satya’s portraiture practice flourished, he gained recognition and popularity within his circle. While he reveled in the compliments and the satisfaction of creating art that brought joy to others, a sense of stagnation began to creep in over time.

The process of creating portraits had become routine, and the inspiration and fulfillment he initially found were fading away. It was then that Satya realized that his true artistic purpose extended beyond the creation of paid portraits.

Pursuing Education and the Conflict of Passions

With his undergraduate studies completed, Satya faced pressure to secure a stable career. Despite his family’s support, they subtly encouraged him to pursue a more practical path. He enrolled in a distance learning program for B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) to earn a teaching credential without committing to full-time study.

While pursuing his B.Ed., Satya simultaneously prepared for various government job examinations. The stress of these preparations and the realization that his true passion lay in art created a profound sense of inner turmoil.

A Fortunate Turn of Events Amidst a Global Crisis

Just when Satya’s hopes of becoming an artist seemed to be fading, a stroke of luck intervened. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of universities, and all classes moved online. This unexpected turn of events freed up Satya’s schedule and allowed him to revisit his artistic passion.

Embracing Digital Sketching: A New Medium for Artistic Expression

During the pandemic, Satya’s fascination with the possibilities of digital sketching took hold. Despite not owning a pen tab or a proper PC, he was determined to explore this new medium. He began by creating logos for local establishments in Bhubaneswar.

Satya’s experimental page on Instagram, where he showcased his logo designs, quickly gained traction. He was heartened by the positive feedback and encouragement from his followers. This page served as a platform for him to experiment with different styles and gain valuable experience.

Expanding His Portfolio and Exploring Social Commentary

As his skills grew, Satya expanded his portfolio beyond logos to include social commentary. He created minimalist logos that addressed current events, such as the Assam floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. These designs resonated with people and helped him connect with a wider audience.

Satya was surprised and grateful to receive inquiries for logo commissions from startup companies. Initially, he undervalued his work and charged modest fees. However, as his confidence and experience increased, he gradually raised his prices.

Facing Saturation Points and Pushing Through

Despite the success of his logo designs, Satya eventually reached a point of diminishing returns. His growth had plateaued, and he began to question his potential. Just as he had experienced with sketching and portraits, Satya found himself at a crossroads.

Once again, he decided to embrace the challenge and push through the saturation point. He turned to animation, a new skill that he had always wanted to master. He experimented with creating animations on his phone, overcoming countless obstacles and setbacks along the way.

Finding Motivation in the Pursuit of Excellence

This time, Satya was determined to avoid the mistakes he had made in the past. He pushed himself to continue creating, even when he faced setbacks. He ignored the voice of doubt and reminded himself of the joy that the creative process brought him.

The Power of Animation and Digital Storytelling

Satya’s animated reels quickly gained popularity on social media. The vibrant colors, engaging characters, and humorous narratives resonated with viewers. His followers grew exponentially, and he received overwhelming support and encouragement.

The Importance of Consistency and Patience

The journey from 10k to 20k followers to 700k was not without its challenges. Satya’s success stemmed from consistent effort, dedication, and a belief in his own abilities. He learned that giving up at the first sign of difficulty or saturation would only hinder his progress.

Finding Success on YouTube

The same perseverance that Satya applied to his Instagram presence also paid off on YouTube. After initially struggling to gain traction, he continued to post consistently, believing that his videos had the potential to connect with viewers.

Within a year, Satya’s YouTube channel had amassed over 2 million subscribers. His videos had found a receptive audience, and he was grateful for the opportunity to share his stories and art with such a large platform.

The Value of Overcoming Saturation Points

Looking back on his journey as an artist, Satya has come to appreciate the inevitability of saturation points in any creative endeavor. However, he emphasizes that these points should not be seen as the end of one’s growth potential.

By embracing challenges, persevering through setbacks, and constantly seeking ways to upgrade one’s skills, artists can overcome these obstacles and continue to evolve.

Satya Swagat Mohanty’s story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on one’s dreams. It is a reminder that with unwavering determination and a willingness to adapt, we can transform our passions into fulfilling careers.