Chaletmomma

Valentine’s Day is a week away and I found a few cute things for the people in your life. All items are linked just click on the image. We’ll happily don hearts for this sweet holiday.

My mom Rita loved Valentines Day. A bag from the local department store would be on the diningroom table waiting for me. Inside I might find socks, a T-shirt or maybe a piece of jewelry. I still have a pair of red enameled heart stud earrings from High School that I wear every year and think of her. From my dad Jim there’d be a small heart shaped box of chocolates.

Here are few cute things I found in celebration of the Day! Enjoy!

Target Sadie & Sam 16ct Google Eye Junk Food

Target Valentine's Day Craft Kit

Target 24ct Sadie & Sam Cards Sports Ball Tattoo

Target Men’s Friends Joey Saying T Shirt

Old Navy Matching Print Pajama Pants for Men

Target Men's Star Wars Valentine Darth Vader Invitation T-Shirt

Target Valentine's Red Velvet Milk Chocolate Pops Smooches

Target ZWILLING 8-in Fondue Pot Set with 6 Forks, For Chocolate, Caramel, Cheese, Sauces and More

Target 15oz Valentine's Day Figural Embossed Lip Mug

Target Sugarfix by Baublebar Kisses and Hugs Key Chain

Target Amped Co - 11"x11.8" LED Neon Light Wall Hanging Room Decor with On/Off Switch

Happy Valentines Day! Til next time be well and =I’ll see you on Instagram.

This month’s feature is a friend and wonderful artist Ria Krishnan. Ria welcome to the Chalet.

Meryl - Thank you for having me!

Can you tell the readers a bit about yourself: Hello I’m Ria I’m 39 and I live in the Bay Area of California with my husband Rahul. We met in high school and have been married for 14 yrs. He is my biggest fan :) I love cats but don't have one. Still convincing Rahul :) We got married in 2010 and that’s what brought me to this country.

Please tell us about where you grew up: I grew up in a small beach town in Goa, India. As far as I can remember, I have always enjoyed drawing. My parents made sure I had ample art supplies. That’s one thing I never had to ask for. Sketching/drawing came naturally. It was easier than math but always stayed a hobby until I moved to the US. I did a deep dive in 2010 and have never looked back since.

Would you say Art is your passion? Yes, I think so. Although, as I said it stayed as a hobby while I was in India.

My education was very focused on math and science. I went to university for Engineering and then I wrote code working in the software industry for a little over 2 yrs. That was another life.

Fast forward to 2024 - Painting is more than a career. It is my lifestyle. I have come to believe that it is a journey of a lifetime and I am just getting started.

The Cloud Concert

Are you a trained artist? My art education has been through workshops and lots of time in front of my easel.

What led you to work with Oils: Over the years I’ve tried several mediums - watercolor, pastels, charcoal, gouache. I love oils for their slow drying quality. I am a slow painter and I love that I can go back the next day and I’ll be able to work through them.

Elegance

I’ve been painting for a little over 10 yrs, and have primarily focused on landscapes and nature. I love going on long walks and observing nature. I could watch clouds roll in on a hill for a while and not realize the passage of time.

“Painting is more than a career. It is my lifestyle. I have come to believe that it is a journey of a lifetime and I am just getting started”

— Ria Krishnan

I know you’ve gained a lot of followers on Instagram since we first met. What has helped you grow your business and your social media presence: It has been mostly organic. When the pandemic happened, all in-person shows got canceled. So, I decided to go all in on Instagram. It is the only Social Media platform I use actively.

I think I was at the right place at the right time. I have also been super lucky to have met some amazing art lovers such as yourself on Instagram who shared my work. I feel lucky.

What are your plans for 2024: I plan to focus on teaching online (zoom) and in-person. I typically announce my plans in my newsletter - Please sign up on my website for my Art Club. I also want to tackle some ambitious large paintings and push myself as an artist. I plan to release limited edition prints when I can.

Most recently I released a Venice inspired painting “Emerald Symphony”. I plan to release limited edition prints as well. Sign up & Follow on IG to be in the know. And come say hello in my DMs.

Ria thank you so much for taking the time to chat. I am always inspired by your incomparable art. Before we close can you share any memories of your life with us that are especially meaningful: One of my favorite childhood memories is watching the sun set into the sea and my favorite memory with Rahul - life as it unfolds every single day.

Friends go find Ria on Instagram and give her a follow. Pop over to her Website and sign up for her mailing list by joining the Art Club, she shares Originals, Limited Edition Prints in her Print Shop and you can sign up for On-Line Classes.

Til next time be well and I’ll see you over on Instagram.