Shefali Chauhan (Vakharia) |
She is a well established artist and craftsperson in Vadodara in the state of Gujarat in India. She produces individual handmade products in a variety of media ranging from handmade cards to framed painting on glass, ceramic, wood, fabric, canvas and paper, applying her unique sense to create a wide variety of delightful gift items.
Born on December 14, 1966 in a teachers family and youngest of four sisters. Shefali graduated in 1987 from SVT Home Science College at Juhu in Bombay, in Interior Designs and Hotel Management. Shefali wished to pursue her career in interior designing but she was unable to do so as she had an attack of rheumatoid arthritis a fortnight after her final exams left her partially disabled for life. Initially, Shefali was depressed but, with encouragement from her parents, she made up her mind to do something. While undergoing various medical treatments she used her modest saving to make hand painted cards. Her work was well appreciated by friends and family. Encouraged by her initial success, and the money she got from the sale of the cards, she painted more. Gradually, she developed her skills in various techniques of art and craft like painting on various medias, cold ceramics, making decorations from discarded items, floral arrangements and decorative wreaths. Shefali learnt various techniques from books and by her own artistic sense without receiving any professional training. As she developed, and with support from her parents she started to offer occasional training courses at home. As the word spread among friends and family, Shefali’s classes grew in size and regularity with students aged 5 to 55. |
shefali's journey |
Since 1989 Shefali has participated in various art and craft shows and workshops, She has organized five solo exhibitions displaying the full range of her work.
Shows:
She works on her own creative ideas and also does commissions. If any of you are interested in handmade cards, commissions for original paintings, training in various artistic techniques you can inquire. |