Rinal Parikh works from her quiet Media Borough studio, blending traditional Indian folk art with contemporary landscapes of suburban Pennsylvania, writes Denali Sagner for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The walls of her home display her paintings, completed and in progress, while shelves are filled with art supplies and mementos.
The trained biochemist from Gujarat, India, began her career as a professional artist after visiting a community art fair at the Creative Living Room in Swarthmore, where she was invited to put together a solo art exhibit for the first time in 2009.
Her richly-textured works merge Warli, Madhubani, and Kalamkari folk styles with contemporary materials such as sand, fabric, and glass. She paints with acrylic and watercolors.
The subjects of her art revolve around the backyard trees, regional wildlife, and her family life in Media.
“What inspires me is my surroundings, and I’m blessed with an amazing backyard,” Parikh said, looking out the window. “That is my main inspiration.”
These days, 43-year-old Parikh works closely with the Community Arts Center of Wallingford and serves as marketing chair for the Rittenhouse Square Fine Arts Show.
Read more about Rinal Parikh and her artwork that mixes traditional Indian folk art with nearby scenes in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
