Teena Soni on Indian Miniature Painting, Family Legacy & Art Fair 14C

The Indian miniature artist discusses family legacy, meditation, centuries-old techniques, and her selection as a 2023 Art Fair 14C Showcase Artist.
Some artists discover their creative path through experimentation.

For Teena Soni, art was a way of life from the very beginning.

Born into a family of artists in India, Teena grew up surrounded by paint, pigments, brushes, and generations of artistic knowledge. Today, she continues that family legacy while building a contemporary practice that combines centuries-old Indian miniature painting techniques with modern themes and personal storytelling.

I first met Teena while volunteering at Art Fair 14C, where she was exhibiting her work. Her paintings immediately stood out. The intricate details, luminous colors, and remarkable craftsmanship drew viewers in, but what stayed with me was the overwhelming sense of calm and tranquility that radiated from the work.

Since then, Teena has continued to expand her practice through exhibitions, residencies, and experimentation, including her participation in the ASCAF Residency at Mana Contemporary.

Our conversation explored family, meditation, discipline, creativity, tradition, and the importance of continuing to create regardless of circumstances.

Growing Up Surrounded by Art

For Teena, art was not something she discovered later in life.

It was everywhere.

Her grandfather was one of India’s most respected artists and received numerous national honors for his contributions to the arts. Her father is also an artist, as are many members of her extended family.

As a child, she spent countless hours inside her grandfather’s studio.

At first, her responsibilities were simple.

She washed brushes.

She carried water.

She filled background colors.

She helped grind pigments.

But over time, those small tasks became an education.

Without realizing it, Teena was learning every stage of the artistic process from master practitioners.

She spent nearly twenty years studying under the guidance of her grandfather and father, absorbing techniques, traditions, and knowledge that had been passed down through generations.

The Art of Indian Miniature Painting

One of the most fascinating aspects of Teena’s work is her dedication to authentic Indian miniature painting techniques.

The process she uses today is rooted in methods that have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years.

Each painting begins with 100 percent khadi cotton cloth.

The cloth is mounted onto a wooden surface using a handmade adhesive created from wheat flour. After drying, multiple layers are applied to prepare the surface before drawing and painting can begin.

Even the pigments are made by hand.

Natural materials are carefully ground and mixed to achieve the proper consistency and longevity.

Nothing is rushed.

Everything requires patience.

Preparing the painting surface alone can take more than a day before the actual artwork begins.

The result is a process that values craftsmanship, precision, and respect for tradition.

Art as Meditation

One of the recurring themes throughout our conversation was the connection between art and inner peace.

Teena’s paintings often explore themes of calmness, stillness, emotional healing, and reflection.

Rather than focusing on external events, her work often responds to internal experiences and emotional journeys.

Many of her ideas emerge from observing what people around her are experiencing emotionally and mentally.

Stress.

Anxiety.

Personal challenges.

Transformation.

Her paintings offer a response to those experiences, inviting viewers into spaces of tranquility and contemplation.

As someone who practices yoga, pranayama breathing exercises, and meditation daily, these values naturally find their way into her artwork.

The peaceful quality visible in her paintings is not accidental.

It reflects the way she approaches life itself.

Silence and Concentration

Many artists listen to music, podcasts, or television while working.

Teena prefers silence.

When she paints, she works in complete concentration.

No music.

No television.

No distractions.

Painting becomes a form of meditation.

This level of focus is particularly important given the intricate nature of her work. Many of her brushes are handmade in India using squirrel hair and can contain as little as one or two hairs at the tip.

Every movement matters.

Every detail requires attention.

Years of training have allowed her to develop the patience and precision necessary to work at such a demanding level.

Learning from Family

Throughout our conversation, it became clear how much influence Teena’s family continues to have on her artistic practice.

Her father remains one of her most trusted critics.

When she completes a painting, he is often the first person she shares it with.

They discuss color choices, composition, technique, and possible improvements.

While Teena always makes the final decision, she values the opportunity to exchange ideas with someone who deeply understands the tradition she comes from.

Her family’s support extends beyond technical guidance.

When she was young, her father saved her drawings rather than throwing them away.

Today, she still has many of those childhood artworks.

Together they form a visual record of her artistic journey.

The Influence of ASCAF and Mana Contemporary

Teena described her experience at the ASCAF Residency at Mana Contemporary as a turning point.

It was her first residency in the United States and provided a rare opportunity to experiment more freely with contemporary approaches.

While maintaining her traditional techniques, she began exploring new color combinations, abstract elements, and more contemporary visual languages.

The residency also allowed her to work alongside artists from around the world.

Sharing ideas, conversations, and studio space with fellow artists opened new perspectives and encouraged creative growth.

Being surrounded by the larger community at Mana Contemporary provided additional inspiration and reinforced her desire to continue pushing her work forward.

A Contemporary Direction

Although Teena remains deeply connected to Indian miniature painting traditions, her recent work increasingly blends historical techniques with contemporary aesthetics.

She describes her current practice as a combination of East and West.

Traditional methods remain central to the work, but the stories, compositions, and visual language continue to evolve.

This balance allows her to honor her artistic heritage while creating work that feels relevant to contemporary audiences.

Rather than choosing between tradition and innovation, she embraces both.

Art Fair 14C Showcase Artist

One of the most exciting developments in Teena’s career is her selection as a 2026 Art Fair 14C Showcase Artist.

Having previously exhibited at Art Fair 14C, Teena now returns in an expanded role as a Showcase Artist, presenting a new body of work to audiences from across the region.

The exhibition will take place at Liberty State Park and represents another important milestone in her growing career.

For visitors, the fair offers a rare opportunity to experience her paintings in person and witness the extraordinary level of craftsmanship involved in their creation.

Her selection reflects the increasing recognition her work continues to receive within the New Jersey and New York arts communities.

A First Museum Exhibition

In addition to Art Fair 14C, Teena is preparing for another significant achievement.

She will be participating in a group exhibition at the Newark Museum of Art, marking her first museum exhibition in the United States.

For any artist, a museum exhibition represents an important moment.

For Teena, it reflects years of dedication, study, experimentation, and commitment to her craft.

With commissions, exhibitions, and additional projects underway in both the United States and India, her career continues to gain momentum.

Advice for Artists

Toward the end of our conversation, Teena shared a lesson that her father continues to repeat.

No matter your mood.

No matter your circumstances.

No matter whether recognition arrives today or years from now.

Keep creating.

Paint.

Sketch.

Experiment.

Finish old work.

Start new work.

Just continue creating.

You never know which artwork will resonate with someone years later.

You never know which painting may ultimately change your life.

Final Thoughts

What stood out most during my conversation with Teena Soni was her remarkable balance between discipline and humility.

Despite being trained in a highly specialized artistic tradition and coming from a family with deep artistic roots, she remains focused on learning, growing, and evolving.

Her work demonstrates that tradition does not have to be confined to the past.

It can continue to grow, adapt, and inspire new generations.

Through meditation, craftsmanship, patience, and an unwavering commitment to her practice, Teena has built a body of work that feels both timeless and contemporary.

As her career continues to expand through residencies, museum exhibitions, and Art Fair 14C, it will be exciting to watch the next chapter of her artistic journey unfold.

Follow Teena Soni:

Instagram: @studio_by_teena

Website: www.teenasoni.com

About Tarik Talk

Tarik Talk is an international arts and culture podcast hosted by artist Tarik Mendes. With more than 200 episodes across 50 seasons and conversations recorded across more than 10 countries, the podcast explores the lives, careers, and creative journeys of artists, curators, museum professionals, cultural leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Recorded inside museums, galleries, artist studios, art fairs, and creative spaces, Tarik Talk provides audiences with behind-the-scenes access to the people shaping contemporary culture today.