Meenal Patel
We the People 2019
We the People is an illustration from picture book, Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala by Meenal Patel, featuring a bustling scene of people going this way and that and the mix of traditions and beliefs they carry within them.
Lhakpa Sherpa 2019
Lhakpa Sherpa is an art print of one of Patel’s illustrations in the book Stories for South Asian Super Girls. Lhakpa Sherpa is a mountaineer who has climbed Mount Everest 9 times and is planning her 10th ascent (more times than any woman ever). In one of her interviews, she talks about the connection that she shares with Everest that brought her the desire to initially climb it and now to keep going back. “I wanted to show her within the mountainous landscape – almost transforming into the mountains to show this eternal connection, her strength and energetic determination. Defiant against obstacles, both physical and societal. Bright, bold, and larger than life.”
About the Artist
Meenal Patel is an artist, illustrator, and writer from Minneapolis, based in San Francisco who studied graphic design at University of Minnesota. She has written and illustrated two children’s books- Neela Goes to San Francisco and Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala -and in addition to personal projects, has collaborated with businesses including the Asian Art Museum and Learning for Justice.
Patel hopes to bring joy, connection, and color to people through her art. She believes that seeing yourself in art and books has the power to make people feel seen, connected, and more confident. And that it’s also critical for people to see experiences that are different from their own to build empathy and a wider worldview. She is inspired by moments of childhood wonder, graphic textures in nature, and the strength of community. Her art is rooted in reflections on the power of feeling seen and the journey to feel at home with all facets of ourselves. She hopes the experiences and joy that she infuses in her art will result in connection, belonging, and delight for someone else.
Website: https://www.meenalpatelstudio.com
Instagram: @meenalpatelstudio