ABOUT ME

I'm Aruna Rangarajan, an illustrator and mixed media artist based in Minnesota. My work is a reclamation of identity and power—especially for women shaped by traditional expectations.

As a girl growing up in an Indian household, I learned to be careful: sit properly, don’t stare, dress modestly, stay agreeable. While my childhood was joyful, I often made choices out of fear and a desire to stay safe.

Today, my art challenges those narratives. I paint strong women in traditional South Asian attire doing everyday things—drinking tea, loving a pet, reading a book—but without conforming to the societal restrictions that have historically defined them. These women exude confidence, ease, and self-possession. They do not ask permission to be.

I choose acrylics because they are resilient—just like the women I paint. But they’re also malleable and allow for complexity without resistance—also like my women. I layer with patterned papers and embroidery to intentionally break the pursuit of painterly perfection. It’s easy to take yourself too seriously as an artist, to chase flawless strokes and shapes. But cut paper looks—well, cut. It forces imperfection and play, which keeps me grounded in authenticity. The embroidery brings in the richness of my cultural upbringing and adds an unmatched layer of texture and beauty, making each piece a holistic treasure to own.

My work is for anyone—especially women and parents of girls—who believe in raising a generation that is indestructible, ungovernable, and strong as nails. I also want my art to challenge the outdated idea that a woman must choose between being sensual or intelligent, soft or strong. Sensuality, intellect, leadership, and grit live side by side in the same woman—and I paint that truth, unapologetically.