How Indra found her artistic heart making exquisite ceramics and soaps

Lismore multimedia artist Indra Dhanusha’s true olive oil soaps and bespoke ceramic crafts are in high demand across the region.

PASSION TO PROFESSION: Lismore multimedia artist Indra Dhanusha decided life was too short not to follow her dream, so at 40 she turned to creating art full-time and now her ceramics and pure olive oil soaps are prized across the Northern Rivers , Photo: Alison Paterson

When this Northern Rivers artist turned 40 she decided to embrace her inner longing for a creative career.

Standing in her Lismore studio, Indra Dhanusha, opened one of her kilns to check on some bud and posy vases she has been firing.

As she examined the glazing, Ms Dhanusha, 46, spoke of the freedom that embracing her creative imagination has allowed.

Previously, Ms Dhanusha worked for a gift hamper business for seven years before she allowed herself to follow her dream.

“I fought against being an artist but when I was approaching 40 I finally decided to have a go at doing what I wanted,” she said.

“Creating ceramics, felting and making olive oil soap is absolutely satisfying.”

Ms Dhanusha sells her gorgeous ceramics which range from the purely decorative to practical – but all bearing her charming and often quirky style, exclusively through the Curious Kookaburra in Keen St, Lismore as well as at The Channon and Bangalow markets.

ARTISTIC LIFE: Before she gained her drivers license, Lismore multimedia artist Indra Dhanusha built a container for her tricycle so she could ride to markets to sell her gorgeous ceramics and the pure olive oil soaps which are prized across the Northern Rivers , Photo: Alison Paterson

“My soaps are under the True Olive Oil and my ceramics and jewellery are sold under the Dreamboat Creative label,” she said.

“My true olive oil soap is handmade in the style of original Marseilles soap, richly moisturising and perfect for sensitive skin.”

While Ms Dhanusha admits to being “careful” when exposed to the harsh sun, her fair complexion is the best testimony to her soaps.

“I make them in a broad range of unfragranced varieties,” she said.

“Plus I also make an assortment fragrances with pure essential oils.”

ARTISTIC FORCE: Lismore multimedia artist Indra Dhanusha is renown for her gorgeous, stylish and often quirky bespoke ceramic jewellery which she creates by hand in her studio , Photo: Alison Paterson

In between juggling her commissions and raising a family, Ms Dhanusha is studying her final year of a Diploma of Ceramics at Lismore TAFE.

She said apart from her children, most of her thoughts are about her creative work.

“I love studying at TAFE,” she said.

“I try to get seven hours sleep a night, I would like eight, but seven is what I get.”

Like many artists who makes their living from the creative process, Ms Dhanusha said keeping the paperwork under control is essential so you can devote as much time as possible to what you really love doing.

“I keep the back office paperwork to a minimum and ride the creative wave,” she said.

“However, to make soap commercially you need specific insurance, be registered as a chemical manufacturer and have a soap manufacturers licence as well.”

As her business has grown, Ms Dhanusha has moved from packing the box on the back of her tricycle and riding to the markets to using a car.

“Before I got my licence I used to cycle to the Lismore Farmer’s Market and I think when my children are older I will go back to riding it a bit,” she said.

“I really do love my creative life and I cannot imagine ever stopping or doing anything else now.”

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