About Me

 

Hello everyone! My name is Manasi Arya, and I am an artist, content creator, and founder of a creative business that I have been running for nearly five years!

I have been creating art for as long as I can remember, thanks to my mother, who is also an artist. She shared her love of painting and creating with me, so I grew up with a deep appreciation for art. I took all the traditional art classes like charcoal, still life, and pottery and was even in an accelerated art program in elementary school. Unfortunately, as I continued my education, I didn’t have the opportunity to take art classes beyond that.

Determined to keep art in my life, I started my art account in May 2019 after graduating college. It was my way of holding myself accountable and sharing my creations. During quarantine, I finally had time to finish all the projects I had lined up. I experimented more, posted more, and started getting noticed on social media. That’s when I took a leap. I got an iPad, started digital art, designed my own logo, and opened my Etsy shop. With months of trial and error, I grew my page and began selling stickers, prints, paintings, and denim jackets that empower women, South Asians, and people of color.

As an Indian American, I grew up feeling like I was living two separate lives—one at home and one at school. I struggled with belonging and hid parts of myself, like my classical Kathak dance background, out of fear of being made fun of. I wish that high school Manasi had someone to look up to, an artist who embraced both sides of her identity and created art that spoke to the experiences of being a first-generation American.

That’s why I’m here: to create the representation I wish I had and to talk about beauty standards, self-love, and growing up as the oldest child in an immigrant family.

One of the most fulfilling parts of my journey has been teaching Chai and Paint classes in NYC, where I create a space for adults to reconnect with their inner child, be creative, and simply relax. Watching people tap into their creativity and find joy in painting brings me so much happiness. Art has always been my way of embracing culture and identity, and I love helping others do the same through my classes and my work.

I also love fashion, DIY, and finding ways to be more sustainable by using what I already own to create something new. Whether it’s styling a fresh outfit, upcycling old clothes, or making a DIY piece from scratch, I love bringing life into what I have. Modeling is another passion of mine, and I enjoy expressing my artistic vision through photography and styling.

Beyond my art and fashion work, I also help businesses and creatives with custom logos and branding to bring their ideas to life. 

For five years, I worked as a teacher, including time as an elementary art teacher. While I loved my students and the creativity I got to share, I recently decided it was time for a change. I stepped into the corporate world, bringing my passion for storytelling, design, and creativity into new spaces.

While my career path has shifted, my love for art, fashion, and building community through creativity remains at the heart of everything I do.

Thank you for being here and supporting me! I wouldn’t be able to celebrate my dreams without you. Feel free to DM me on Instagram or email me. I love talking to y’all! ❤️