ARTIST JOURNEY

Art has been a constant presence throughout Preethi Mathialagan’s life — an instinctive pull toward color, form, and expression that gradually evolved into a committed artistic practice.

Originally trained in Telecommunications Engineering, Preethi spent several years working in research and development roles, including at Nokia. Despite a successful technical career, the need for creative expression remained persistent. Over time, painting transitioned from a parallel passion into a full-time pursuit, leading her to establish her professional studio practice.

 

Her artistic journey has been shaped by discipline, repetition, and long-term dedication rather than traditional academic pathways. In the early years of her practice, Preethi created work wherever space allowed — balancing family life while painting consistently and building a substantial body of work. This period defined both her work ethic and her commitment to art as a lifelong practice.

 

Preethi’s work has received recognition through curated and juried exhibitions. Her painting Mayil received the Viewer’s Choice Award at the Creating Joy Exhibition at the Susquehanna Art Museum in September 2020.

Another work, Veeram, was selected for the 92nd Annual International Juried Exhibition by the Art Association of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Her artwork Carefree was also featured in the Warner Bros–NBC television series Blindspot.

 

Some of her paintings are currently exhibited in Towne House Cafe at Downtown Harrisburg Pennsylvania owned by Todd Harlan.


With over twelve years of professional practice, Preethi’s paintings are held in private collections across North America, South America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and the UAE.


Working primarily in contemporary abstraction, her practice centers on emotion, movement, and spatial balance. Rather than depicting literal narratives, her paintings invite personal interpretation, allowing each viewer to experience the work intuitively and on their own terms. 


                       Preethi is instinctively drawn to colors around the world. She is particularly captivated by birds or deep sea for their natural beauty and the effortless harmony of their colors, rather than for symbolic meaning or detailed study. This attraction extends to anything vividly colored, where rich or unexpected combinations invite deeper exploration.

Her abstract practice grows from this fascination with color and composition, allowing color itself to guide the development of each painting.