In the days leading up to our Spring Artisans Showcase and Power of Play Fundraiser (April 26, 2013 6-9 pm at the Fergus Legion) we wanted to take a few minutes each day and recognize some of the amazing artisans and vendors who will be at our showcase!
Today we are featuring Bhupi Rajput of Henna 4 You
Bhupi is an incredibly
talented Mehendhi (Henna) artist who combines a rare blend of old school
tradition with modern trend-setting design.
Bhupi was born in Kenya, and raised in England where she graduated with a
BSc (Hons) in Product Management. She now
lives in Canada
with her husband, Sanjeev & two kids.
Bhupi is a
travellor. While living in the UK,
she travelled extensively including Europe, Africa and some parts of the Far East. She
learned the art of mehendhi while backpacking through a village in India almost 16 years ago and continued to
develop her art in the UK.
Her teacher was a nine–year–old girl who
worked outside the hotel. Her interest
in the art of mehendi was set aside for
many years, was brought back to life and has been her good luck charm ever since.
Her backpacking
adventures play a huge part in her work. From the Taj Mahal in Agra
to the mountains of Simla, deserts of Rajisthan and beaches of Goa, there was always something amazing that caught her
eye whether it was the architecture or hand crafted antiques, marble pillars or
inlays, the beauty was all around her. The
photographs were memories of a wonderful adventure but today, they are her
inspiration.
She was a minor celebrity in Britain, and has appeared on BBC’s “Heaven and
Earth” television program. Her henna designs have adorned the skin of attendees
to the World Economic Forum at Davos Switzerland. She appeared on CHCV “Smith and Hayes Show”
and has had newspaper articles written
about her work (or art) in The Kitchener
Waterloo Record, Cambridge Times and Hamilton Spectator.
Bhupi
loves the art and the traditions that go with it, so when she got the opportunity
to take her artistry a step further, it
was a dream come true.
She
doodles on anything and everything. When
she hosted a pottery painting party in early 2009, it was inevitable that her
piece would be unique. The teapot got star treatment with a full
bridal design that took almost 3 hours to paint. When it arrived at her door step after firing
and glazing, she was surprised how magnificent it looked.
After
experimenting and much deliberation, it didn’t take long before she found the
perfect technique, allowing her to paint glassware and transfer her passion for
henna onto other mediums.
It
started with Cocktail glasses for Teachers Gifts at the end of June and this in
turn spurred her to perfect the art to offer them for sale. Her inventory grows
by the day.
The
glassware collection includes tealight holders, candle votives, porcelain mugs,
wine, cocktail & shot glasses, champagne flutes, teapots, vases, cookie
jars and the best part, the paints are food and dishwasher safe.
Bhupi has a unique perspective on the
world and its cultures and she has translated that into her art. You can feel
the "world" influence in her designs. Each piece is signed and dated thus bringing a unique
ethnic art into peoples homes and this is something she can smile about.
