Personal Blog
Interactive Murals for Kyruus
The opportunity to design these murals and facilitate painting them at both opening events meant the world to me. It was also a very vulnerable thing for me to do but vulnerability is what you need to connect and I hope that these murals helped to do just that.
Maternity Series - Artist Statement
Color is a focus of my work for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is for healing. My father was an angry and violent man. He took out his rage on his family daily and I took it upon myself to protect my mother and brother from him by becoming the focus of his fury. We didn’t have much, but my mother filled our home with colorful art to bring radiance into an otherwise dark place. I followed in her footsteps and escaped into vibrant art of all shapes and forms. Getting into the flow of mindful art creation has been the single most important part of my healing. I hope to share the happiness that colorful art brings me with others, especially children.
Domestic Abuse, Written by an Immigrant
Why am I sharing this? I have made it my life’s mission to fight for those who were less fortunate like me and my family, including my father who was also a victim. The first step is increasing awareness. We cannot hide in shame and statistics. We have to be loud and talk about very personal stories.
The Villain
There were times in my life where I was the villain in someone else’s story. I acknowledge that, I am regretful for hurting people and I am working on forgiving myself for it.
Heart In Hand
Heart in Hand. Because that’s who I am. What brings me the most fulfillment is genuinely connecting with people and the only way to do that is through vulnerability.
Moorea
I wish I could go back to those moments and tell myself that everything will work out and that I would regret not being present. You couldn’t tell from my pictures what I was going through. You can never tell with anyone. And *that* is how social media can lie.
Am I Always Happy?
Someone recently asked me if I’m always happy and laughing and no, I am not. Most of my life I struggled with depression and anxiety. For me, medication only made things worse since it took away my creativity and resulted in some harmful and compulsive behaviors.
New Mediums
Before I dive into a large project, I always: 1. read tutorials or watch YouTube/Skillshare videos. Someone has used the medium before and is willing to teach 2. test it out. 3. take note of mistakes and learn from them.
I've Come a Long Way
Art has saved me twice. First as a child, creating art was the only thing that helped me deal with the constant terror and destruction in my household.
My Spiritual Journey
Raised Hindu, I resisted it in my youth since my father was a devout Hindu who felt that he could beat the shit out of me and then pray for forgiveness and it would be okay. We moved to basically an all white/Christian community and I found myself going to church - at one point nearly 3 times a week.
My "Brand"
Brand? I’m not a commodity. What is a “brand” when it relates to a person? Is it who they genuinely are or is it the image they portray? My art is my truth.
When I am in Nature
There is no place I’d rather be than the outdoors - free and inspired. Taking my art back into the inspiration it came from, and posing with it, is everything to me. ⠀
Extroversion and Introversion
In order to acquire the skills it takes to be an artist you have to be okay with being by yourself. I think this plays a key role in artists being in touch with themselves and their emotions. We dive deep in them. We don’t try to escape them but rather we channel them into our art.
On the Topic of Transformation
I am acutely aware of how habits run my life and I have had to harness them in order to transform who I am. I appreciate big changes such as a move across country because it gives me the ability to jump-start the transition into new habits and therefore acquire new thoughts, new patterns, new behaviors, and eventually a new self. ⠀
The Challenges of Abstact Painting
I face the same challenge in life and in my career. I always have the urge to do more - I want to add more, be more, love more, learn more. I have an insatiable appetite to grow.
Smashing Patriarchy in Shilong
These were taken in Shillong, one of India’s Matriarchal societies 🙌🏽. What a beautiful place. Some people called the women who ran the city “rude.” I liked them. They were strong and determined. They had no false pretenses. We ran into incredibly joyous Kashi women too. What isn’t there to be joyous about when you have smashed patriarchy?
Child Labor
Taken at Living Root Bridges in Cherrapunji, India. This was a magical place where I found myself lost in the wonders of nature. I was quickly brought back to reality when I saw that the town was run by child labor. Writing this brings tears to my eyes. The world can be such an unfair place and I’m having a hell of a time coming to terms with that.
Hidden Myself
This creative process is life changing. My art transforms me and I in turn transform my art. Now, when I introduce myself, I say “My name is Lona, and I am an artist.” THAT is what defines me - my heart and my soul.
History of Mandalas
Mandala comes from the Sanskrit word “mandal” which means circle. It is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism (and also Buddhism) that represents the universe. It has become popularized (aka appropriated) in pop culture by people who do not understand the meaning or significance of it.
Amidst Tears
He saw me through my most formative and formidable years.
He saw the birth of my rebellion.
Muse
There are certain energies that inspire me the most. I seek them out, crave being in their presence. A short interaction is all I need to sustain my creativity. It can be energy from a person, a place, music, animals, experiences... options are limitless I just have to seek them out.
Columbus, Ohio
Why did I leave? Looking back, the move to San Francisco was necessary. I needed to run away and start over. I needed to figure out who I was without constantly being reminded of my past.
Phone
I feel like I’m being controlled by it. I don’t like that feeling and so I rebel on the weekends and take the control back.
Focus
One of the things that I struggle with when I want to make art is focus. As soon as I walk into my studio my brain starts firing in a thousand different directions. I think about all of the possible projects and this paralyzes me.
Space
I have learned the value of space. Space from people, space from work, space from social media, space from my own thoughts. By clinging on to people, work, and other attachments I lost my sense of self for a while.
When I Fell Down A Manhole
I am infinitely curious about life - the beautiful and the ugly. This often gets me into trouble. When we went to Barcelona, we happened to go at a time of great social unrest.
A Long Way
I’ve come a long way to stand where I’m standing - and I am grateful. Art has saved me twice. First as a child, creating art was the only thing that helped me deal with the constant terror and destruction in my household. After I got out of that situation, I took a long break from art and then it saved me again as an adult when I poured my heart and soul into my career (and the people I led) at UCSF and burned out from it. Art has given me purpose. It has helped me discover who I am and what I am capable of. It has given me a tremendous amount of inner power and confidence. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I can’t wait to see what I will manifest in 2020.
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I can’t wait to see what I will manifest in 2020.
Meeting Malala
I had the incredible opportunity to meet Malala at Mass Women's Conference. She has been my hero for many years. Although I cannot relate to getting shot by terrorists for standing for what I believe in, I relate in that what I endured as a child has made who I am today - someone who relentlessly pursues rights for women by bringing awareness to the issues such as equity in the workplace and domestic abuse.
Matriarchal Strength
Who were they? Did they all share the joy and love and creativity that I see within my ma and Aita? What sacrifices did they endure? What were their accomplishments? What were their fears? Who did they love? Who broke their hearts? What were their secrets?
Solo Day in Spain
I wanted a true adventure - where one step leads to the next. And that’s exactly what happened.
Destroyers and Creators
Last night I was laying in bed thinking about how amazing it is that I am manifesting art into the world. Let the destroyers destroy. I will remain a creator. I was born to create. ⠀⠀
Heartbreak
Memories, I’ve learned, can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of them, wanting something back that is gone. I’ve lived in this hell before and I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned from getting out of it.
Leaving Boston
My growth was certainly accelerated by the move here. It allowed me to let go of parts of me I never thought I’d release. It breaks my heart to leave so soon, but big changes have become less scary and more exciting because I know if nothing else, I’ll grow from it.
The Dilemma
I worry about my freedom in expressing myself creatively if I choose to become a full-time artist. Will I continue to explore all forms? Or, will I start restricting myself to what people buy or what they “like”?
Psychedelic
Colors make me feel joy. Pure joy. Perhaps the way people feel when they take psychedelic drugs. I’m addicted to the process - especially with resin art. When I drop the vibrant inks into the resin and watch it take form, I stand there transfixed and nothing else matters. The colors make me present; and when I am present, I am joyous. How could I not be? Life is magical when I create.
Namaste
My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty & peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united, we are the same, we are one. ~ Namasté
Brown Skin and Fire Hair
The other day I asked Andy how often he thinks about us being an interracial couple. I think about it all the time - especially when we are walking around our neighborhood in South Boston where I hardly ever see any people of color.
Marvel
Sometimes when I’m walking around I wonder, is anyone else thinking about how the sun feels on their skin or how the wind feels in their hair? Do they marvel at how life is growing through cracks in the sidewalk or listen intently to the songs of the birds? ⠀⠀⠀⠀
Valkyrie
“I live out loud now because I was forced to be silent for so long.” For me, living out loud... writing about it constantly & painting about it helps me. Others heal in ways that are not visible.
Profound Sadness
“I’m going through something very powerful, emotionally, and I’m pretty fucking grateful for that because it’s a reminder that I’m human, and I’m sensitive, and I have the emotional complexly to actually feel profound sadness”
Empathy for Lona
I thought about what it must have been like to be a 4 year old little girl taken away from an extended family that showered her with constant joy and love to then meet her father in the US - a man she didn’t know & who brought terror into her life - in a country that was completely foreign and with no money, immersed in a language she did not speak.
Freedom of Abstract
I like alternating between the rigor of detailed drawings/paintings and the freedom of abstract. These resin pieces are wild. It takes skill, but I have less control over the outcome.
My Brother
It brings tears to my eyes to think of how he has grown from the baby boy I used to protect to a wise and strong man.
Chaos
I love to create because no matter how chaotic or even tragic life can be, I know that I am bringing beauty into the world. It was always my escape as a child. If I find myself spiraling about anything, I think of art and I am transported to place where the cause of the spiral no longer matters. Art has helped me control and channel my emotions better than anything ever has. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, I encourage you create and I encourage you to share. Holding in that energy will only destroy. ⠀⠀
Existential Crisis
For a while I was having an art existential crisis. I felt like I didn’t really have direction and I was all over the place. Is my focus woman? Is it mandalas? Resin? Since I am not a full time artist, I don’t need to define a style and that gives me more freedom.
Groove
We are creating grooves within our eternally complex mind with every feeling, thought and action. I continually ask myself, what groove am I deepening now? What new groove do I want to carve out? Art is just a byproduct of my most important creation - myself.
Day Job
My role is all about relationships and there is nothing I enjoy more than getting to know and connecting with someone else - not even art. It certainly is not an 8-5 job. There are weeks where I can hardly find any balance at all - especially when I travel. But, I will always find time for a little art.