Meet Shachi Kale | Visual Artist, Designer and Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shachi Kale and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shachi, where are you from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in India and spent my formative years in Mumbai. My parents were both highly educated and well read and traveled, and so we were always exposed to a lot of books and art. My deep interest in the art of children’s books and art in general led me to study design in college and have a career in advertising and design. Just living in India meant being surrounded by color, patterns, and story. All around me were textiles with patterns, bright colors in jewelry and lush plants. All those elements have subconsciously influenced my art. Growing up with the rich tapestry of stories from the Ramayan, Mahabharat, folk tales as well stories of mythology and magic along with a lot of classic children’s literature has crept into my art…and made me look at my own life and the lives of others as stories that are unfolding in front of my eyes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a visual artist who found her way to an art career after a long career as a graphic designer and book illustrator. My art is largely autobiographical and centers on themes of home, growth, connection and healing. I delve into my inner dialogue and often what shows up in my art is a visual transcript of conversations I have with myself. I primarily work in watercolor and acryla gouache on paper, but also use fibers, printmaking and mixed media as well as digital art to express myself. I have had several solo shows in the valley, as well as been a part of group shows in places like the Chandler Center for the Arts, Tempe Center for the Arts, among others. My art is influenced by narrative elements in Indian and Mughal miniature art as well as folk art from around the world. While my training and career was in design, I yearned to express myself through art and I was given an opportunity to show my art thanks to Ted Decker, my instructor at Mesa Community College. My first solo show a few years ago opened the door to many opportunities. I have recently been an artist-in-residence at the Tempe Center for the Arts, Created public art pieces, the latest of which is art for two playground surfaces in public parks in Tempe, a large window mural for the Mesa Arts Center and illustrations in an Art Novel. My art has been turned into puzzles, cards, stickers and posters. I also currently serve as an Arts Commissioner for the City of Chandler as a way to give back to the art community and have served on panels, spoken to art students and conducted workshops. I would like to encourage people to follow their dreams even if it seems like they may never come true…

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Any visitor to Arizona should definitely make a trip the beautiful cool Sedona! There’s so much natural beauty to soak in and local arts and crafts to enjoy. For a vibrant art experience I’d encourage them to stick around for First Fridays and spend the evening looking at art in downtown Phoenix or then stroll down Old Town Scottsdale to check out some beautiful art galleries and maybe catch dinner at one of many wonderful restaurants there. For some contemporary art, I’d have them visit the Mesa Arts Center and the Heard Museum for native art. An evening stroll down Tempe Town Lake to catch the sunset- because no one can beat our spectacular sunsets! I’d take them for breakfast at the hidden gem Crackers and Co. in Mesa and amazing pizza at Nello’s Pizzeria in Tempe or a fabulous el fresco meal at Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert. For families with young kids I’d definitely make a trip the the AZ Museum of Natural History – another hidden gem in Mesa where they can pan for gold!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout Mesa Community College as a huge turning point in my life as an immigrant from another country trying to find my way in a new world. Over the last 20 years that I’ve lived in Arizona, MCC has supported me in numerous ways. Its where I learned skills to help me find a job, excellent classes and instructors that expanded my knowledge and opened many doors for me. I have also over the years worked as a freelance graphic designer for their marketing department. It has been a place for me to find community and has given me so many opportunities for personal growth as an artist.

Website: www.shachikale.com

Instagram: @shachidreams

Image Credits
Studio portrait – Carmen LaPlace