Biography

I am Yashvi (she/her.) I was born and raised in Mumbai, India until I was 15, when my family moved to Georgia.

I grew up in a family/extended family of “hidden” artists who unintentionally wore their creativity on their sleeve, whether it was writing, visual arts, music, storytelling, the culinary arts, home decor, textiles, jewelry and more. I took several extra-curricular art classes as a kid. I particularly remember an art teacher, who had us explore art techniques from around the world. The class was very tactile and often involved her bringing in material from various regions; she provided students an unmatched outlet and freedom in a society with rigid educational standards. My grandfather also owned a textile printing factory, with craftsmen who hand-carved the printing blocks and although I never got to visit it, I heard all about it. I love observing this process, prints as well as textures.

My style is definitely influenced by my life in India, and the art I saw and experienced around me, which, although twenty five years ago, resides vividly at the forefront of my mind alongside my current life. I enjoy saturated tropical hues and jewel tones but through my classes have also learned to find beauty and black, white and neutrals. I also catch myself doing layers in what may seem like a solid colored object, a technique I often use to pull in the myriad of colors that are part of every vision over its lifetime. I enjoy pulling in colors without having to get technical and rendering with precision, because, to me, a vision, especially one created by a force of nature, is in constant motion due to internal energy and external factors. Of late, I have also enjoyed studying real objects/subjects, rendering them “imperfectly” and making them my own!

I pursued Business Administration at Georgia State University and graduated in 2006. At this stage in my life, I find the amalgamation of art and mental health fascinating, and plan to continue exploring this area more. Outside of school I enjoy being a mom to my three and seven year-olds, hiking, and traveling with my husband.

Something I have learned and live by is that the process of experiencing profound growth was never meant to be comfortable.