Today we’d like to introduce you to Preeti Agrawal.
Preeti, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve been drawn to art for as long as I can remember. My first exposure was to watercolors in school, and I was instantly hooked—it felt like painting with fluid magic. Over the years, I’ve found my passion in creating watercolor door portraits from around the world, as well as painting in the traditional Indian Madhubani style. Those subjects allow me to capture both cultural richness and personal storytelling through my work.
I grew up in a small town in central India where art supplies weren’t always easy to find. That limitation sparked a different side of my creativity—learning to reuse and reimagine materials. I began crafting with whatever I could salvage or upcycle, and that eventually inspired me to start a blog where I share DIY ideas that encourage others to reuse everyday materials and find beauty in sustainability.
In painting, I did experiment a bit with oils, acrylics, and pencil sketches, but watercolor always felt like home. The real turning point came in 2019, when I received a request for six large custom paintings for an office building. The size and scale of that project were well outside the comfort zone of the hobbyist I was at the time, but taking on that challenge pushed me to grow. It transformed the way I approached my art and marked the shift from small hobby paintings to a more serious artistic path.
In 2023, one of my pieces was accepted into an art show themed Building Beauty. That milestone felt like a confirmation of my journey—that I was truly stepping into my role as an artist. From painting barns for a business commission to creating personal pieces that resonate in public exhibits, my story has been one of gradually embracing bigger challenges and allowing my art to expand with me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Since I’m primarily self-taught—whether it’s watercolors, sewing, or crafting—I’ve had to learn through a lot of trial and error. I can’t even count the number of paintings I’ve spoiled or the materials I’ve wasted along the way. I remember once spending days on a watercolor door portrait, only to realize the perspective was completely off—I had to start over from scratch. Experiences like that can be frustrating, but they’ve also taught me patience and persistence.
Without formal art training, even something as simple as mixing the exact shade I want can take a lot of experimenting. But I see those challenges as part of my growth. Every mistake pushes me to try again, and over time it’s helped me develop a style that feels authentic to me. And with so many resources available online, I’ve learned that curiosity and practice can be just as powerful as formal education.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my painting, I specialize in watercolors—particularly door portraits and the traditional Indian Madhubani style. People often recognize me for my door portraits. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to photograph old doors and later paint them. To me, these doors are more than architectural details—they hold stories, memories, and a sense of place that I want to preserve. Painting them allows me to revisit moments I can’t physically return to, and my hope is that viewers also feel that sense of connection when they see the finished piece.
Beyond painting, I jokingly call myself a “jack of all crafting” because creating something with my hands has always been part of my daily rhythm. I sew, paint, work with crepe paper, repurpose corks or salvaged wood, and experiment with whatever materials are around me. For the past couple of years, I’ve even sewn most of my own clothes—completely self-taught—often refashioning old saris, bedsheets, and even my husband’s donation-bound shirts and cashmere into something wearable and new. This focus on reuse and sustainability is central to my creative practice.
That philosophy also led me to partner with Austin Creative Reuse, a local nonprofit focused on creativity through sustainability. I’ve had the privilege of leading dozens of reuse workshops there—ranging from cork art, sewing, and kintsugi-inspired projects, to crepe paper flowers and block printing. Through my blog, I’ve also created over 150 DIY picture tutorials that encourage people to see everyday materials in a new way. Sharing that joy of making, while helping others create sustainably, is something I’m deeply proud of.
What sets me apart is the relationship I build with my subjects and materials. I can’t paint something unless I feel deeply connected to it, and once that bond is there, the painting almost flows on its own. One piece I’m especially proud of is my very first door portrait, Doorway to Wisdom, inspired by a door I saw at Oxford University. When I finished it, it no longer looked like just a door on paper—it felt alive, as if I could reach out and open it. That “aha” moment, of bringing something to life through art, was surreal and affirmed my path as an artist.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve been very lucky to have a strong circle of supporters who’ve encouraged me from the very beginning. My father never said no when I asked for yet another stack of drawing sheets or a new paint palette on his way home from work. My mother encouraged my creativity in her own way too—she let me cut up her old saris to sew clothes for my dolls, and even forgave me when I once used her lipstick to paint a flower!
Today, my biggest cheerleaders are my family—my husband and my two daughters. They’re not only supportive but also honest with their feedback. I often show them my work-in-progress, and their constructive input helps me grow and see things from fresh perspectives.
I truly wouldn’t be where I am without their patience, encouragement, and belief in me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preetishandmades
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preetishandmades
Image Credits
Sadie White JCPenny Portraits, Barton Creek Mall
