We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Priyanka Nanda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Priyanka, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve loved henna since I was a little girl. Growing up in India, I would watch with fascination as my mother created beautiful henna tattoos for special occasions. As I got older, I started practicing the art myself, though never considering it as a career path. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I knew I needed to find a new way to make ends meet after losing my job due to the economic downturn. After moving to the US, I decided to finally pursue my lifelong passion for henna and turn my talent into a business. Though I had no formal training, I honed my skills by watching online tutorials and practicing intricate designs on family and friends and gained recognition for my talent in creating stunning temporary tattoos through social media. I started taking appointments for henna sessions and custom designs. These henna designs quickly garnered attention, providing not just supplementary income but also a sense of purpose during an isolating time. Now, over four years later, my henna business continues to flourish as I bring creativity and joy to people. This unexpected career shift has allowed me to finally share my cherished gift of henna artistry with the world.

Priyanka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello, my name is Priyanka and I’m a henna artist based in Sarasota, Florida. Growing up in India, I was enthralled watching my mother create beautiful henna designs for special events. By age ten, I started practicing simple tattoos on myself.

Shortly after immigrating to the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. I decided to share my lifelong passion by starting a small henna business through my Instagram page called ‘Henna with Priyanka’. I hand-make organic henna paste using powder sourced from India and provide customized body art based on each client’s personal preferences. Though I don’t have formal training, I’ve worked diligently over the years to develop my distinctive style by drawing freehand without tracing.

Building a business as a self-taught artist has involved continuous learning and adaptation. Yet the joy of sharing my culture through art makes each challenge worthwhile. I take pride in collaborating one-on-one with clients, merging their vision with my style. My goal is for every client to feel uniquely celebrated through our co-created art. I continue refining my skills and building relationships in this community. Though still growing, I’m proud to be pursuing my passion.

Today, my henna artistry is not just a thriving business but a source of immense satisfaction and creative expression. The challenges I’ve faced have taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of persevering to pursue one’s passion.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

As a henna artist, I find great satisfaction in creating meaningful, customized body art for each client. There are several rewarding aspects that I cherish about this work. Henna tattoos provide an outlet to showcase my creative talents through intricate, culturally inspired designs that clients deeply appreciate. The ability to produce unique art is extremely fulfilling. Witnessing a client’s sheer joy and excitement as they admire their fresh henna tattoo is profoundly rewarding, especially when commemorating special milestones.

I feel immense pride in sharing the rich cultural history behind henna with my diverse clientele. I enjoy educating others while honoring my own roots. After hearing client feedback and suggestions, I constantly check my work and strive to improve myself by looking at different designs. This helps me grow as an artist and boosts my relationships with clients. Ongoing referrals validate the care I put into each design, bolstering my reputation.

I value the flexibility to manage my schedule and workspace on my own terms, focusing on my artistic strengths to drive business decisions. Most importantly, building a career from my artistic passion brings tremendous personal fulfillment. I feel privileged to have turned my talent into a purposeful vocation.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Supporting artists and fostering a vibrant creative culture is critical for nurturing innovation and enriching society. First, arts education and awareness should be prioritized starting at a young age to spark creativity and self-expression.

Second, funding opportunities through grants, public programs, and private initiatives enable artists to sustain their work. Protecting artistic freedom with affordable workspaces and collaborative platforms also empower artists to create, connect, and exchange ideas.
Third, public participation in the arts drives vibrancy. Participating in Festivals, Exhibitions, and public art installations allow communities to immerse in culture while providing platforms for local talent. Finally, preserving cultural heritage fosters inspiration. Traditional knowledge and folk arts provide a foundation for emerging artists to innovate.
With this approach, we can nurture an ecosystem where artists enrich communities and reinvigorate culture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hennawithpriyanka.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hennawithpriyanka/
• Other: Phone: 941-248-7415