My creative process starts with a simple moment beside a bundle of bamboo. I look at each stalk—its curve, grain, and texture—and let those natural qualities dictate the layout. I sketch directly on the piece, then use a handheld pyrography tool to burn the lines, building depth with a few careful passes. This step‑by‑step rhythm feels like a conversation with the material.

I work in two complementary styles. In one, I keep the palette minimal, allowing the bamboo’s natural color and the dark burn marks to define the piece. In the other, I add bright acrylics inspired by Kerala murals, highlighting intricate patterns and bringing vivid energy to the work. Placing the muted and the colorful side by side gives viewers a  chance to experience both subtle restraint and bold expression.

The Everlasting Flower Vase brings these two approaches together. I hand‑paint detailed blossoms on bases cut from mature elephant bamboo culms. To prevent cracking as the wood dries, I split several stalks in half, then stack and bind four halves to create a four‑faced sculpture. Mandala motifs weave around the design, while Kerala’s vivid palette draws the eye from earthy tones to bright highlights.Mounted on a lazy-Susan base, the piece can be rotated, allowing each viewer to choose the side that matches their mood.

Beyond form and color, this work also carries memory. It is a tribute to my heritage and to the lessons my father taught me. He grew up on a remote farm, living sustainably and using only what the land provided. Bamboo fascinated him because it grows quickly, is incredibly strong, and can be both practical and beautiful. He collected bundles of bamboo and sent them to me whenever I returned to the United States. Each piece arrived with its own character—smooth, curved, and ready for the next idea.

My connection to bamboo is personal and practical. I work mainly with yellow bamboo and towering elephant bamboo, which can reach up to 12 inches in diameter and 80 feet tall. Despite its size, the material feels light and responsive, reminding me of the quiet strength my father admired. Every design begins with a sketch, followed by careful burning, always honoring the natural form of the stalk. Whether I choose a restrained mandala look or a vibrant Kerala‑inspired finish, the goal is the same: to create work that feels honest, functional, and rooted in the stories of the material and the people who first valued it.

“Whether I choose a restrained mandala look or a vibrant Kerala-inspired finish, the goal is the same: to create work that feels honest, functional, and rooted in the stories of the material and the people who first valued it.”