Conversations with Sonia Pal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Pal.  

Hi Sonia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been a bit of Alice in Wonderland; once I find a rabbit hole, it’s hard for me to stop exploring…. My story starts on Friday, the 13th of March 2020 (I know!). 

I had submitted my resignation early that afternoon, and news about COVID-19 had been unfolding around. 

Unrelated to this world event, I had planned to take a few months off from work that spring-summer. Sort of a self-imposed sabbatical to take a break from a high strung busy corporate life as a successful executive with one of the largest CROs in the world. I had been working for almost 20 years leading large global teams and corporate-wide initiatives at a variety of companies. My husband was really surprised at why someone with a thriving, successful career would quit at the peak of their career. He knew how much I loved my job. I did, I really did, and I was REALLY good at my job. But I was exhausted and finally wanted to spend some time at home rejuvenating. 

My older son was ready to start an internship in 2021, and my younger one was ready to head into college. It was the only summer where I would perhaps have the entire family under one roof for the entire summer. 

Little did I know… 

That same evening, the country went into ‘stay at home’ mode, and so did the rest of the world. I served my two weeks’ notice. This was the universe’s way of granting my wish to have everyone home, I guess! I enjoyed the first two weeks in April; I was without a job after 20 years. Then the stay at home kept getting extended. And then…I was bored. One thing was very clear, I did not want to go back to corporate job yet, and I needed to channel my energy into something productive. 

At a dear friend’s advice, I signed up for a free one-week calligraphy camp being offered online. This was a boon. Calligraphy classes traditionally are offered in person. The pandemic forced artists around the world to pivot and offer it online. I had no supplies or tools for these classes, but I somehow managed. Our bedroom floor became my art room. There was paper everywhere, notes everywhere… I was consumed!!! And I LOVED it! The camp was over after 7 days. 

I wanted more… I was like Alice in Wonderland wanting to explore and see everything there was in that rabbit hole. I did not want to go back! I signed up for more paid classes after that. It slowly branched out into other things like watercolor, ink, acrylic, mixed media. My husband and children watched in amazement at my newfound hobby/ craziness. 

It did not take me long to feel strongly in my bones that this comes naturally to me, and this is what I want to do… Be an ARTIST! 

I wanted to give this newfound passion a name, something to ground this energy that I was swept up in. I went from knowing nothing about art to diving in headfirst, starting a business and registering a company as ASquareWatermelon LLC, and making my first sale in a month! And I have not stopped since. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would call it a roller coaster ride… bumpy, crazy, fearful at times, but always very interesting. So, I decided to just go with it and enjoy it rather than worry about what came next. 

Not having a degree in fine arts or any formal training meant I had no idea where to start. I kept taking class after class and saw no results. Doing calligraphy practice all the time seemed boring. 

I found it hard to stay consistent with practice. Half the time, I did not know what classes to take at what stage. Most of the time, I ended up signing up for courses that were way too advanced level when I needed the basics first! No beginner calligrapher or artist should have to go through these things. 

I never gave up. I kept learning, experimenting, developing my own methods, sharing with the art community on social media along the way. 

In hindsight, not having a formal art degree has been a boon. I questioned everything, and it led me to develop my own class structure and formats, which I now offer as classes. 

I am on a mission to simplify and make learning calligraphy and art easy and accessible. 

On the business side of things as well, I had many failures in the beginning. I am not a businessperson, but in talking with my other art friends, I soon discovered that they don’t teach ‘business or finance’ aspects of art in school either. Artists sort of figure it out along the way. After many trials and errors, I figured out how to build a website properly, how to make products that are valuable. Just creating ‘fine art’ is not good enough. 

I was invited to a career fair for high schoolers recently. I took some samples of my art. One of the students asked if they could have one vinyl sticker. I will never forget the joy I saw on their face! 

In that moment, I realized not everyone can afford the so-called expensive ‘fine art,’ but everyone DOES enjoy beautiful things as practical everyday items like tote bags, mugs, greeting cards, throw pillows, phone cases, and vinyl stickers. Everything becomes beautiful with art on it. 

I soon started making these items as offering via my website. Art does not have to live just on walls; it can live on wallpaper, upholstery, fabric, journal covers, and much more. This is what I am working on currently. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known as an artist with a variety of interests and offerings. I have slowly turned into more of an entrepreneur, not by a conscious choice rather by what problems I faced and how I solved these. I have done calligraphy workshops, art markets, and local art exhibitions since I started. 

I specialize in Calligraphy for a variety of scripts doing calligraphy commission work, workshops, and classes online and in person. 

I make fine art originals in watercolor, acrylic, ink, and mixed media that is also now available as merchandise via my website. 

I recently launched a few fabric designs on Spoonflower as tea towels and wall hangings. I plan on expanding the designs collection later this year. 

I also love to collaborate with local businesses. Anyone interested in hosting a beginner calligraphy or art event is welcome to contact me. I would love to spread the cheer and fun of it at places like local tea houses, coffee shops, and restaurants and bars. The world needs more places where friends and family can come together and just letter away at leisure while learning and having fun socializing. 

I am most proud of the fact I went from knowing nothing about art to being a successful artist all while sharing my joy with the world. 

What sets me apart is my mindset and my techniques. 

In fact, my company logo is just that! 

Some time ago, Japanese grocery stores had a problem on hand. The big, round watermelons wasted a lot of counterspace. The homes and refrigerators in Japan are small. The watermelon sales started declining. Most people would think of telling the grocery stores that watermelons grow around, and nothing can be done about it. The Japanese farmers took a different approach. They brainstormed, if the grocery stores wanted to be efficient about counter space, how can they make it happen! It was not long before they invented square watermelons. It turned out that all they had to do was place a square (cube rather) around growing watermelons, and they would grow into that shape. 

This is the approach I take with everything I learn, and what I learn, I teach. I like to break the complicated learning processes into smaller steps which makes it easy for any beginner of any age to learn. 

I had decided that if I ever open my own company (this was almost 10 years ago), I will name it ASquareWatermelon. Because I am one. I bring simple solutions to most complex problems, even in everyday life at home. Another big reason is that my family calls me ‘limited edition.’ Square Watermelons are premium. They are limited editions. Hence the logo and brand name of my company. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
There are many lessons I learned along this journey. 

Here is the biggest and most profound one… 

A lot can change in one generation or even a few years like the recent pandemic. However, some aspects remain constant, like the need for human connection. 

I made more friends worldwide online through art and calligraphy than ever before in my life! These friendships have lasted beyond the pandemic and continue to flourish. Technology is a boon if you know how to use it to make real connections. 

While we are heading into a new era with AI and technology, there is even more need to hold on to our social human connections and community. There is also a need to fulfill our creative desires via art rather than just mindless scrolling on screens. Art is therapeutic, it is meditative, it helps with cognitive skills, and it brings joy and connection. 

What better way to meet both of these needs than via art or calligraphy done with friends and family. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asquarewatermelon.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asquarewatermelon/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071803574891
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsoniajpal/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoniaPalCreates
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ASquareWatermelon