Clinical Research Coordinator Discovers Passion for Painting

Subecha “Suvy” Dahal holds a commissioned pet portrait she recently completed.

Editor's Note: Our seasonal Off Campus blog series is back! In this Cornerstone series, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute scientists and staff share the interesting ways they "unplug to recharge" when not working toward pediatric breakthroughs. In this installment, Subecha Dahal, a clinical research coordinator in the Division of Hematology, reveals her recently discovered passion for creating whimsical worlds through art.

droseyb [at] chop.edu (By Barb Drosey)

Subecha "Suvy" Dahal's artistic journey began a year ago, around the same time she joined Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as a clinical research coordinator. After planning a painting party with friends that did not come together, Dahal found herself at home with some free time and a bunch of painting supplies. She put brush to canvas, and a new passion revealed itself.

One of Suvy Dahal’s more whimsical paintings of a tree house.

"I found I had a natural inclination towards it and have been consistently painting ever since," Dahal said. "It was a discovery even to me, as I didn't anticipate that I would have a propensity towards it, and now painting is a big part of my life."

During daylight hours, Dahal manages and coordinates clinical trials with Janet Kwiatkowski, MD, MSCE, who is the director of the Thalassemia Center and clinical director of the Sickle Cell and Red Cell Disorders Curative Therapy Center (CuRED). But as the evening draws near, this self-taught painter finds at least 15 minutes to devote to her craft, whether that's actually painting or considering her large collection of photographs and reference materials for potential future projects.

"You might think that after a long day at work, you'd be too exhausted to take all of the supplies out, start mixing paint colors, and pick up a paintbrush," Dahal said. "But I find it very therapeutic and relaxing. Even when I have had a tiring day, I push myself to paint consistently and always feel more energized when I'm done."

A single car cuts through the landscape in this painting by Suvy Dahal.

Her canvasses invite you to enter the whimsical land of Dahal's imagination, where the front door of a tree house welcomes you to knock, as light spills from a window set into the wide trunk. While Dahal currently favors landscapes, she recently enjoyed completing a commissioned pet portrait.

Dahal is still discovering her unique voice and style as a painter. In the meantime, she allows herself full artistic freedom to indulge in whatever subject or medium interests her. After starting off with gouache, which Dahal described as opaque watercolor, she began to experiment with oil painting, a technique that allows layering of rich color and the flexibility to adjust over a few days, given its slow drying time.

"I was interested in oil painting as the medium of the old masters and thought I would like to learn," Dahal said. "I bought oil paints, looked up articles on the internet, and watched instructional YouTube videos. In the future, I may delve into more media. For anyone feeling hesitant about trying painting or another new pastime, Dahal shared insight from her own experience.

"The main thing is to just start," Dahal said. "It does require time and a conscious effort, but the good thing about painting is that there is a low barrier to learning. Whether it is painting or some other form of artistic expression, if you stumble upon something that inspires you, just give it a try."

See more of Dahal's artwork on Instagram @suvyarts.