Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandni Sahni Mahendra.
Chandni Sahni Mahendra is a watercolor and acrylic painter, making her mark throughout the Chicagoland area using colorful, loud, and vibrant concepts and techniques! Although she specializes in watercolor and acrylic paintings she is also proficient in murals and digital illustrations. Her work has been featured in hotels and businesses, and also adorns the walls of homes around the globe.
Please kick things off for us, where does your story begin?
As far as I can remember, I have had a love for all things loud and colorful! Growing up, art and music were a very special part of my childhood. Some of my fondest memories include my younger brother and I dancing to Michael Jackson’s hits, listening to my Father’s classical Indian music collection, watching Bollywood movies, participating in our local Temple’s shows during Diwali and my most favorite- creating art pieces using my Lite-Brite screen past my bedtime!
As an adult, art is my truest form of expression. Art is for all the things I don’t have words for in my life. I am able to work out my feelings on the canvas using bright colors and shapes and create things that aren’t necessarily good or bad, they are simply are my very own creations, creations from within.
It wasn’t until my early twenties that the paintbrush and I found each other, at the perfect time and place. I started off by teaching myself technique through YouTube videos, how-to books, and private painting lessons. I painted everything from flowers to faces and city skylines to mountains. I practiced and I practiced some more and almost ten years later I am still practicing.
In 2015, my online business She’s Artsy (www.shesartsy.com) was established. I created She’s Artsy to share my passion, my story, my culture, and my very personal creations with the world! With the love and support from my family and friends, today I continue to create and dream bigger than I have EVER dreamed of before!
Has it been a smooth road?
My art journey hasn’t been easy, but what I can say for sure is, it’s been worth it!!
Being a self-taught artist with no formal art education comes with a lot of self-doubt and criticism from others. It is something I have learned to channel to work FOR me verses AGAINST me. Over the years, I have started taking pride in the fact that I don’t have a traditional degree in the Arts and believe in my work more than ever. It is true, each time I complete a new piece, I feel that I graduate with the highest honors, BELIEVING IN MYSELF! And honestly, there is no greater feeling than that!
When it comes to criticism, instead of running from it, I now welcome it! I’ve learned that feedback forces me to think about my work, my style and my techniques in a healthy way. It allows me to take a step back and work through how I can improve and continue to develop my own unique style as an Artist.
Through the ups and down, this is the most exciting, productive and enjoyable stage of my life and career! My advice to anyone that is thinking about trying their hand at painting, drawing, or sculpting is to simply ST(ART)! You don’t know what you can accomplish until you try! And if you get to the end of your first finish line, know it is the START of another! Keep going, the world is working FOR YOU, not AGAINST you, don’t forget it!
Who is She’s Artsy?
She’s Artsy is ME! Chandni Sahni Mahendra, a watercolor and acrylic painter! You can purchase my original pieces and art prints through my online shop linked below!
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I met the man of my dreams and he quickly convinced me that Chicago was the place to be! I moved from Northern Virginia to Downtown Chicago one year after She’s Artsy was established. Since then, the Chicago community has been extremely welcoming, UNITED, and inspiring! This city’s amazing architecture, colorful murals, electric parades, festive art exhibits, delicious food, and beautiful diverse faces has me mesmerized! What is there not to love?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shesartsy.com
- Email: chandni@shesartsy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shesartsy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/shesartsy
Image Credit:
Lana Neiman Photography (Chicago, IL), Pro Art Studio (Chicago, IL)
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
