Asha Menghrajani
Raised:Philippines
Resides: Berkeley
Vision:
My recent body of work is influenced by the multitude of cultures
I have
been surround by. I was raised in the Philippines by my father
whose import business took us around the world to Europe, Asia,
Egypt, Dubai, and Mexico, until I settled in California in 1992.
In California, I experimented with drawing, fabric design, oils,
and charcoal – adding texture, photo transfers, and geometric
forms, first to paper and now to canvas. My passion for painting
began when I learned the art of Chinese watercolor and calligraphy.
This initiated my desire to use paint as a form of expression.
My current work portrays abstraction with a touch of realism.
I create my own texture
and layers of colors I draw from perception, placing shapes, and
collage elements;
slowly building more texture while simultaneously producing a
surface that enables me to
scrape through the underlying layers of color. What I see beneath
the painting puts me in
awe in the discovery of the beauty that comes out from the work
unplanned for. My process in
painting is one which is more meditative and intuitive. I experience
calmness, peacefulness and solitude. I believe that making art
feels good and brings pleasure to others. Looseness and uncertainty,
above all, are important to my interpretation of the mysterious
energy of the spirit.
Education:
Taking the Leap, Emeryville, CA, A professional practicum for
visual
artists, 2002-2003
Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA, Screen writing, Fall
2001
Academy of Art College, San Francisco, CA, Foundation and advanced
art
classes, 1994-2000
Assumption College, Philippines, Bachelor of Science, Business
Management,
1992
University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, Advertising art, 1983-1984
Chinese Painting Association, Philippines, Traditional Chinese
ink and
watercolor, 1982-1987
|
|
|
|
|
"coy"
mixed media on panel, 18" x24"
$200 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|