Art & Me — Where It All Began

Art has always been quietly woven into my life.

As a child, I found trying out different mediums like oil pastels and watercolors but especially loved drawing—sketching insects and animals during science class, often to the delight of my teachers. Even then, I carried a small, hopeful dream of becoming an artist someday, imagining a gallery filled with my paintings and the joy of sharing color and creativity with others.

Life, however, took me on different path. I built a career in software, while art gently stepped into the background. Or so I thought. Deep down, the desire never truly left.

Finding My Way Back

I found my way back to art more deeply in my 30s, during a period of grief after losing my father. Painting became my quiet refuge. It helped soften my pain, slow my thoughts, and bring moments of calm and mindfulness when I needed them most.

What started as comfort soon became a daily practice. As I painted more, a long-forgotten dream resurfaced—this time, louder and clearer. I began with acrylics, but it was watercolor that truly captured my heart with its meditative flow and gentle unpredictability.

In 2022, I gathered the courage to honor that inner calling and transitioned into a full-time artist. That was the birth of Myriad Shades Art. Since then, I’ve been grateful to exhibit my work across art shows and galleries in the Bay Area—living a dream my younger self once thought was only wishful thinking.

Teaching, Healing, and Shared Stories

As I began teaching watercolor, something beautiful happened.

Students started sharing their own stories—how painting helped them slow down, feel present, and find small pockets of peace amidst life’s challenges. Those moments stayed with me. They gently shaped what came next.

I realized that art could be so much more than technique or skill. It could be a tool for self-care, healing, and joy.

The Birth of Art For Me Studio

That realization led me to create a studio space of my own—one that reflects what I believe art truly can be. This is how Myriad Shades Art organically transformed into Art For Me Studio.

Art For Me Studio is a welcoming, judgment-free space where art is for me, for you, and for everyone. Here, art isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about slowing down, expressing yourself, and finding calm and connection through the creative process—a quiet way to nurture your soul.

While I love painting, I find equal fulfillment in teaching watercolor and guiding others along their creative journeys. I truly believe creativity helps us reconnect with ourselves and find joy in the present moment.

A Small Beginning, A Three-Fold Vision

Though this studio is a humble beginning, my vision for Art For Me Studio is three-fold:

One, the studio will be a home for my own artworks—a space where I continue to learn, explore, and express myself in as many ways as I can. It’s where my creative voice keeps evolving, through experimentation, curiosity, and honest self-expression.

Two, a deeply personal goal—to teach art in person to at least 1,000 people. Since beginning this journey in 2023, I’ve already had the joy of teaching 250 students, and each interaction has reaffirmed my belief in art as a powerful tool for calm, connection and self-care.

Three, to see Art For Me Studio grow into a warm, thriving creative community—one where artists and art enthusiasts come together to share their craft, host diverse creative experiences, and spread the joy of creating with others.

This studio is my way of honoring the dreams of my younger self—and creating a space where others feel encouraged to explore theirs, one gentle brushstroke at a time.