Megha at the door leading to her watercolor journey…
artist statement
I am many things. Here, I'm a watercolor artist.
Watercolors found me when I was about to become a mom. I painted with the belief that my baby would connect with that creative energy (he has, the little painterly scamp!). Little did I know that I would rediscover my own childlike enthusiasm for painting.
I love light. It is the essence of my paintings. I strive to paint the child behind the radiant smile; the wonder in sunlight spilling across almonds soaking in a bowl of water; to bring life to mangoes that soon will bring joy to somebody.
When I find myself lost in details, it’s light that brings the focus back to me. When I am overwhelmed by choice, light brings out the simpler story within each scene. And when I’m afraid inspiration has abandoned me, it is the fleeting magic of the light within us all that returns it to me.
About
Megha Mehra is a watercolor artist.
She was born and raised in Bangalore, India. Like most children, she loved to draw, imitating her mother’s painting styles. But as with many kids, she fell into the rat race and did not seriously take up painting for years.
Ten years ago, she moved to Virginia. Her journey into watercolors began shortly thereafter when she was blessed with a son. As a self-taught artist, her approach is honest and bold.
Megha Mehra’s watercolors have been exhibited at solo shows across Virginia. Her work, 'Play, Pause, Reflect' won the 'Ralph Smith Memorial Award of Excellence' award at the 40th annual exhibition of the Virginia Watercolor Society. In 2020 she was featured as the Brand Ambassador of the week in American Watercolor Weekly magazine. She also received the ‘National Watercolor Society’ award at the PVW show. She also attained Signature status at the Virginia Watercolor Society in 2020. She believes strongly in using her work to give back to society. Last year, her painting ‘The Gift’ was auctioned to raise money for an orphanage.
Megha is very passionate about teaching and offers workshops offline/online for watercolor novices and journeymen artists. Her private collectors reside in the USA, UK & India.
SOLO SHOWS
2017: Gum Spring Library, Virginia
2017: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling, Virginia
2019: SOLO show, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, Virginia.
2020: SOLO show, Leesburg Town Hall, Virginia.
Awards & Honors
2018: Exhibited, “Seva (Selfless Service)”, 39th Annual Virginia Watercolor Society
2018: 1st prize in “Artistic Challenge” contest March 2018
2018: Auctioned, “The Gift”, Sahaita charity event
2019: IWS, selected Virginia representative
2019: Exhibited, “The good life”, Art League, Alexandria
2019: Juror at the Kerala Association in DC
2019: Exhibited, “Play, Pause, Reflect”, 40th Annual Virginia Watercolor Society, Virginia
2019: “Ralph Smith Memorial Award of Excellence” at the 40th Annual Virginia Watercolor Society, Virginia
2019: Won ‘Among Best 50' award for “Between a brick and my dreams”, GAWA Annual International Watercolor Online Contest
2019. Exhibited, “The good life”, Central Virginia Watercolor Society, Charlottesville, Virginia
2019: Won “Appreciation Award” for “Play, Pause, Reflect”, Abu Rawash International Online Contest
2019: Exhibited, “When I grow up”, International Watercolor Society (IWS) Albania
2019: Exhibited: “Between a brick and my dreams”, (IWS) India
2020: Exhibited, “When I grow up”, Potomac Valley Watercolor Artists (PVW) Online show
2020: Won the Top award, National Watercolor Society (NWS) for “When I grow up”, Potomac Valley Watercolor Artists (PVW) Online show.
2020: Won “Honorable Mention”, WomenInWatercolor (WIW) show
2020: Selected “Between a brick and my dreams” as part of the FAV15% (jury's favorite 15% of the entries) in the May BoldBrush Painting competition by FASO
2020: Won “Outstanding Watercolor” for “Between a brick and my dreams” in the May BoldBrush Painting competition by FASO
2020: Exhibited, “Living on my terms’, Virginia Watercolor Society, Richmond
2020: Attained Signature Status at Virginia Watercolor Society.
NEWS
2020: Featured as the Brand Ambassador of the week in American Watercolor Weekly magazine.
2020: Featured ‘Guest Artist’ on the Doodlewash.com website.
2021: Featured on ‘Yay Learner’ podcast
2023: Featured on ‘Global Television Networks Broadcast on FOX5 PLUS. Washington, DC’.