Studio Journal

Exploring Abstraction

Studio Journal: Musings on Art, Life, and Becoming

Reflections, Ideas, and Insights from Inside the Artist’s Studio

Studio Journal is where I reflect on the quieter questions of being an artist. These writings are part idea book, part personal philosophy—exploring what it means to create, to observe, and to move through the art world with intention. From musings on creative discipline and daily rituals, to thoughts on beauty, meaning, and the unseen structures that shape our lives, each post invites you into my studio as a space of inquiry and becoming. Here, art is not just something I make—it is how I think, listen, and live.

Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

12 Urgent Picks: September 2025 Los Angeles Art Shows You Can’t Miss

This September, Los Angeles ignites with an extraordinary array of abstract and immersive art shows—from cinematic reconfigurations to textile-driven meditations. Dive into our curated guide to the 12 must-see exhibitions, complete with press acclaim, accessibility, pricing, and how each centers abstraction in powerful, innovative ways.

Read More
Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

Top 12 Phoenix Artists Transforming the Contemporary Art Scene

Phoenix’s contemporary art scene thrives at the intersection of grassroots energy and international recognition. This guide highlights 12 of the city’s leading artists—spanning painters, muralists, sculptors, and mixed-media innovators—who are shaping how we see and experience art today. Whether you’re a collector, curator, or simply exploring, these profiles provide a roadmap to the Valley’s most impactful creators, with Ritu Raj standing out for his versatile, commission-ready practice.

Read More
Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

The Completion of Listening in Painting: A Reflective Journey Through Thread and Color

Painting, for me, is listening. Not with the ears, but with openness to color, texture, and gesture. In my thread paintings, completion arises not when I decide, but when the work itself declares: enough. This moment of distinction, echoing Heidegger’s thought on listening, transforms process into presence.

Read More
Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

Sharing is Showing: Painting as Disclosure

Sharing is showing. For Ritu Raj, painting is not possession but disclosure—a letting-be that fulfills itself only in presence. Rooted in Heidegger’s idea of unconcealment, his work opens a space for others to dwell through color, gesture, and form.

Read More
Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

Ritu Raj vs Top 5 Online Art Platforms: Where to Buy Abstract Art

Artist Ritu Raj contrasts the benefits of direct commissioning with the reach of leading online marketplaces for abstract art. This guide helps collectors navigate platform curation, provenance checks, and scale considerations to make confident, emotionally resonant purchases.

Read More
Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

The Return of the Tactile: Why Organic Movement Matters Now

In a world overwhelmed by screens and algorithms, a new aesthetic revolution is quietly blooming—rooted in texture, imperfection, and the raw rhythms of nature. “Organic Movement” is more than a trend; it's a return to something primal and enduring, where art reconnects us to the world we nearly forgot how to feel. In this guided gallery walk, we spotlight 15 pioneering artists redefining abstraction through fiber, form, and natural resonance.

Read More
Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

Twine as a Radical Canvas for Contemporary Art

Affordable twine-based art is redefining what belongs in a gallery. More than a material, twine becomes a visual system—democratic, textured, and conceptually rich. This is art for a new age of meaning and accessibility.

Read More
Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Reflections, Art World Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

Reclaiming Creativity Later in Life: It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again

After decades in business, I returned to painting—not to reinvent myself, but to remember something I had set aside. In this post, I share how reclaiming creativity later in life reshaped my time, attention, and way of being. For anyone who’s delayed their artistic calling, this is a reminder: it’s never too late to begin again.

Read More
Thread Painting, Abstract Art Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix Thread Painting, Abstract Art Ritu Raj | Contemporary Abstract Artist | Phoenix

The Half-Life of Abstraction

In abstraction, nothing stays still. Meaning mutates, dissolves, and renews. In this reflection, artist Ritu Raj explores the idea of the half-life of abstraction—the invisible moment when an artwork’s original intention begins to decay, and a new field of perception emerges between viewer and canvas.

Read More