The Duende Box will make the artist in you come alive. Here's how

Art can be really therapeutic, but the idea of finding all the right art supplies, time and moreover the motivation can be exhausting especially when distractions like Netflix and Instagram are vying for your attention already.  But if your fingers have been itching to channelise your inner artist, we recommend opting for The Duende Box, a subscription box company that hands you over all the supplies you need with motivation in the form of original artwork by an artist plus instructions on how to make the best use of all the supplies in a box every month! With art supplies and motivation in place, is it so hard then to find the time to get your creative juices flowing?

Here she is: Marzia Ali with her artwork | (Pic: Marzia Ali)

The box has been conceptualised and brought to you by Marzia Ali, an artist herself, who also has been taking workshops for four years now, including once on calligraphy, different types of painting like floral, galaxy and more. "Long back, I had read a quote 'If you can't find a book you like, write it', and since then, I have been applying it to all parts of my life. So instead of ranting about the lack of quality art supplies, I wanted to do something about it," says the 20-year-old. So she started The Duende Box in September last year. 

One of the draws of the box is that it is affordably priced despite have several art supplies. The box in the month of June cost Rs 1,120

Apart from art supplies, Marzia also collaborates with artists from New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune to curate the monthly box. Not only are these boxes themed, but these artists also conduct Facebook lives to help you make the best of the supplies in the box. "I did a lot of research in terms of reading about existing subscription boxes before I began The Duende Box," says Marzia who is studying Psychology from Villa Marie Degree College. Because she collaborates with other artists for it, it helps promote them as well and this is important to her because, "As it is not many artists don't get exposure these days," she points out. Her next target is to ship the boxes to countries abroad and talks are already on with collaborators in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. "Maybe in two years, we could even start a store right here in Hyderabad," she says, brimming with possibilities. 

What's inside?: The measurement of the box is 20 x16 inches | (Pic: Marzia Ali)
 

Of course, we couldn't let her go without talking about her workshops, Marzia has taken more than 35 till date at Fab India stores and other places. "My first workshop will always be close to my heart," she recalls, stating that seven people had turned up and today, easily more than 50 participants can be spotted at her sessions. Her favourite part of conducting workshops is meeting new people and inspiring them to pursue art. But who encouraged her down this road? "My mother! She is an artist too and always used to push me to create art. It was finally in class VI that I took to art and have always pursued it since then," she shares and smiles.  

Peek in

Curious as to what you would find in a Dunde Box? This is what you can expect, as per the theme:
- Sketching: Different qualities of papers, different brands of pencils and much more
- Resin: Pigments, basic cups, ice cream sticks and more
- Mystery box: Last month, their theme was mystery box which comprised of different products from international brands

Attention, please: Marzia conducting a workshop | (Pic: Marzia Ali)

Some of her artwork:

For more on the box, check out instagram.com/theduendebox