Photo credit: Lauren Peachie
Recently we had the chance to visit with one of our recent additions to the store, artist Rachel Eskandari, the creative mind behind Pink Puddle Studios. Her vivid watercolors are sure to brighten up any space. You can also learn about joining one of her frequent workshops.
How did you get started creating your pieces?
My style has been developing and changing since I first started painting in 2005. I really started focusing on my style in college.
I have always loved color, maximalism, abstraction mixed with reality. In my current pieces, they very much focus on botanicals with unconventional color schemes and the dreaming intention I want to communicate, working outside the boundaries of reality.
What’s the favorite part of your work/what you make?
I love that my work is an extension of myself that represents different phases of my life and that others can relate to my work and grow with me on my artistic journey.
Photo credit: Lauren Peachie
How do you express your creativity through your work?
Anything that I make, even the things that are never shown, are a vessel of my artistic expression.
Of course, I have pieces that mean more to me than others because of the story or the process that was behind the making of the piece. I would consider myself a looser painter and this style allows me to really create movement and blends within my pieces, which are a form of expression.
What brings you joy?
Besides creating art, I love working with ceramics. I think the ability to be physical with a medium is so important for me. It is one of the main reasons I decided to take up painting.
Fun note, I actually almost majored in photography but realized quickly it didn’t give me the same satisfaction that paint can and does as a medium. I always say if I didn’t major in painting I would have majored in ceramics.
Recently, I started a garden and to be able to watch something grow from a seed is so magical. Having foliage surrounding me is so calming and inspiring for my creativity.
What challenge(s) have you overcome?
The biggest challenge I have overcome is self- doubt. I would be lying if I said it doesn’t creep in occasionally but to be able to share your art with the world, you have to be able to be confident with what you create and realize you can’t please everyone and be okay with knowing that.
I make art to be genuine and not manufactured. What I mean by that is that it's important for me to believe in everything that I put out into the world.
Photo credit: Lauren Peachie
Anything exciting in the works/coming up for you?
I have many watercolor workshops coming up! Also I plan on creating new pieces for the year so make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter to get all my latest updates! You can subscribe by going to my website.
Feb 12 : Galentine's Day workshop, get tickets on my website.
March 4th : Desert Blooms online workshop, get tickets on my website.
What do you wish for the world?
I want the world to embrace creativity, to be healthy and to be safe for every person.
Photo credit: Lauren Peachie
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
As long as I still find connection through art I will keep creating.
I am also very proud to say I became a published author in 2021 with my first watercolor book "Watercolor Botanical Garden: A Modern Approach to Painting Bold Flowers, Plants, and Cacti." You can find it on my website and on Amazon.
You can check Pink Puddle Studios out around the web:
Website: Pink Puddle Studios
Instagram: @pinkpuddlestudio
Youtube: Rachel Eskandari
Shop Rachel's Collection At MADE