I am an Indian artist nine years into a journey I never want to stop. I have learned these art forms from different teachers across different states of India — each tradition discovered through love for the art form and learnt with passion. What draws me to every art form is everything beneath its surface — the techniques and steps behind it, the history it carries, the story it tells, its distinct colors and motifs, and studying the artists who mastered it to understand how they worked. It's a rich experience.
I serve as an art docent in a local elementary school and teach private classes for kids and adults, designing every curriculum around the person in front of me.
I founded Shakthicircle — a community where creative learning and growth come together, one skill at a time. Next year I celebrate 10 years as an artist — and I am just getting started.
"Learn art to become a better version of yourself — more forgiving, more patient, more at peace. Art quietly heals. That's its real gift. Becoming a great artist happens while you engage in learning art consistently."
— Ashwini
Teaching art since 2017 — what began with neighborhood children in California grew into something I never planned to stop. In 2020 I received an Honorable Mention from the Cypress Art League. Since then I have led multiple workshops in Madhubani and Kalamkari — in California, online, and here in Maple Valley, Washington.
Indian folk art is what helped me find myself as an artist, and it still fills me with the same curiosity to draw and paint it today. I keep learning new art styles and techniques from different parts of the world — there is always more to learn, and I find as much joy in sharing what I learn as I do in learning it.
Each of these traditions has its own grammar — its own symbols, patterns, and stories. I have spent years learning them so I can teach them with honesty and depth. I always find myself returning to Kalamkari, and I'm especially drawn to the richness of Pichwai and Patachitra. What I create takes shape in my own thoughts first, so I hold onto stories and forms that reflect happiness, peace, and inspiration.
Kalamkari, Madhubani, Patachitra, Phad, Pichwai, and Gond are part of my Indian Folk Art Program. Tanjore Painting is part of my personal practice. Chola Mural Art and line drawing are next on my list to learn.
Andhra Pradesh · Pen and block printing on fabric · Mythological stories in natural dyes
Bihar · Geometric patterns and nature motifs · Fish, lotus, peacock, and gods
Odisha · Cloth scroll paintings · Lord Jagannath and epic stories in bold color
Rajasthan · Devotional paintings of Krishna · Rich detail, lotus motifs, deep jewel tones
Rajasthan · Large scroll paintings · Heroic folk tales of Pabuji and Devnarayan
Madhya Pradesh · Tribal art with dots and lines · Nature, animals, and the forest world
Tamil Nadu · Classical devotional painting · Gold leaf, rich colors, and divine figures from Hindu tradition
Tamil Nadu · Classical temple murals from the Chola era · Devotion, storytelling, and centuries of sacred technique
Join a class, explore Shakthicircle, or reach out to talk about what you want to learn.