Bio
Neena Buxani is an Indian-American artist who was raised on the border of Mexico in Brownsville, Texas. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and two boys. Neena's educational and professional background is diverse. She has a B.S. in Advertising and Speech Communications and an M.S. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Gemological Certification from GIA. She has worked as a substance abuse counselor, jewelry buyer, loan officer, jewelry store owner, and general manager for a hotel. Her multifaceted background and multicultural upbringing has helped to shape her vision as a self- taught artist.
Neena’s work has been featured in various publications such as EASTside Magazine, the Bluehost Artist Spotlight, the KXAN Artist Spotlight, the Brown State of Mind Blog, and CandyFloss Magazine. Her paintings have been represented by Tommy Bahama Home, PxP Contemporary, Austin Art Garage and Showfields. She has served as a curator for “Celebrations” in Texas State University and her work has been on display at Austin Bergstrom International Airport.
Artist Statement
Art is a form of expression that allows me to spread positivity. Through the use of vivid colors, I create an uplifting mood in compositions with subject matter ranging from abstracted gemstones to representational flora, fauna and textiles. I find myself continually drawn to these subjects primarily from my multicultural background as an Indian-American artist raised on the border of Mexico and also my professional experience in the jewelry industry. From my upbringing, I have learned to celebrate color, finely embellished and ornamented garments, and the beauty of nature, whereas my work as a jeweler honed my attention to detail. These deep-rooted aesthetic inclinations have found their way into my work and are much of what I believe makes my art both distinctive and personal.
I currently work with alcohol inks, acrylic paint, and mixed media as it allows me to create a variety of textures, as well as add depth to the tones and lines in my paintings. In my most recent series, I combine closeup views of different Indian Clothing. These zoomed-in compositions focus on the delicate embroidery and saturated colors to highlight and pay homage to the rich history and tradition of the making of Indian textiles. These paintings create a feeling of nostalgia and joy by taking the viewer and myself back to a time where we might have worn or seen these garments during celebratory occasions. They also offer a connection between myself and a culture that is such a big part of who I am.
When I am immersed in my creative process, it brings me joy that I can express my authentic self through my subjects and the use of bold colors. My aim is that in seeing and connecting with my work, others are inspired to do the same.
