Stepping into Arun's studio, he welcomes us with the warmest of smiles. He's been in the studio for a few hours already before we get there.

He's pulled all the blinds on one side of the studio shut because of a thick layer of smog that gets in. Bangalore isn't the beautiful green paradise it once was. We talk about the good old days and how things have changed.  

Arun's trying his best to combat the industrialisation with an interesting project initiative. 'Plant a Tee' is a simple concept wherein every T-shirt you buy results in a tree being planted in a forest. Arun's designed a few cool tees so you're not just buying them just for the good they do.

A beautifully typeset black and white tee reads, 'This is a green tee,' another one has beautiful spirals on it in a psychedelic pattern.  

He's also experimenting with aquaponics in a few aquariums scattered around the studio.

The man has also studied chemistry and has released an ink dye called 'One by Me' which allows just about anyone to paint a T-shirt and have it look as though it was professionally printed. The first release sold out in very little time. Arun's getting ready for batch number two, so keep a look out for it.

And then there are his paintings, which is the main reason we're here. Arun likes to think of himself as an 'Artist of Joy,' he tells us a good friend called him that one day and it stuck.

He says there's enough sadness in the world, and with his paintings he wants to bring people a touch of happiness. Using bright colours, Arun's paintings have a childlike simplicity to them.  

Arun was drawn to art and painting after seeing Van Gogh's letter to his brother. The passion in the Dutch artist's words blew him away. And he decided then itself that this was something he was going to pursue religiously.

Advertising, as is usually the case, got in the way, promising so much and, in the end, delivering so little. Yes, there was money, fame and awards galore too, but to really make it in adland and enjoy the success it breeds, you have to be a certain kind of person. Someone that's happy jumping into the ugly management side of things and signing up for all it entails.

"Not my cup of tea," Arun tells us, shaking his head and smiling.

And so, like all the real creatives, he quit, going freelance to take care of the rent and picking up a studio to take care of his soul.

It hasn't been easy, it never is, but we're constantly amazed at how many are willing to put in the grind. As Arun tells us, the alternative, working in advertising full time is simply not an option.

He's found a way to work with agencies without having to go into the office. Laughing, he tells us his writer does all the talking, so he doesn't even have to interact with that world.

A cat strolls in from the neighbour's apartment, slowly checking out the latest painting Arun's working on, gives it a nod of approval and settles down in a corner as we say our goodbyes.

Thanks Arun, we're with the cat. Your work's amazing. Keep making it.