Chaletmomma

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.

All Images: Ria Krishnan

Hi friends recently I was looking to replace an old pair of rainboots. I wear everything for a long time; which means sometimes I find replacing items difficult, either because the retailer no longer carries the item or they have been discontinued by the manufacturer.

I took a deep dive and ordered a few styles from Zappos to try. I decided in addition to a tall pair of rainboots to add a bootie style I can wear with jeans.

My very first pair of rainboots was a gift from my husband. You may want to grab a pair for yourself or possibly someone else.

Kamik - Chloe Lo: These boots were very reminiscent of galoshes. They have a nice weight, are very malleable and easy to put on. The material is thin of 100% made with PVC-free, vulcanized rubber and are vegan verified. But, the sizing was off. The 8 was too small and the 9 was too big. The contrasting lining color is fun! These I really wanted to love.

Sperry - Torrent Chelsea: I was excited about the design. But, when I walked in them they hit the front of my leg in an odd spot and honestly it sorta hurt. I thought could I wear these with thicker socks - but no I don’t want to buy anything that feels in any way uncomfortable.

UGG - Drizlita: I only wear UGG slippers so the prospect of UGG rainboots with the same wonderful sheepskin insole excited me to no end. The boots however were large on my feet and the sole was clunky, heavy and has UGG written across it over and over and over which I am not a fan of.

Kamik - Heidi 2: They fit well and were comfortable. The leg has a nice width. They were easy to put on and take off. I did not like that they had no fabric lining in the leg.

Here are the two styles I chose:

Toni Pons - Cavour: These are the winner friends. I like the color, the elastic side panels, the easy pull tab and the substantial feel when I walk. They are made in Spain. I’ve worn them a handful of times - they are comfy!

Kamik - Heidi: I couldn’t find this sku through Zappos - the site we use to purchase most of our footwear. I went directly to Kamik and success! I love the height of the leg, the cozy lining material and the multi-directional tread design on the sole assures sure footedness. I have worn them in light snow and ice. As the saying goes friends “If it ain’t broke...”