Pearl Raina and Malala Yousafzai

My name is Pearl Raina. I am 16 year old visual artist who strives to connect with human emotions and capture the hidden emotional aspects of others through my artwork. My main inspiration is people and their detailed expressions, features and intricacies. I view past the obvious through close observation and engagement. I desire to uncover the facade many construct and reveal the raw and genuine human emotion. As a young woman, I strive to have a voice and influence blossoming artists to express themselves through art.

Pearl Raina hosts an exhibition featuring her artwork
Pearl Raina hosts an exhibition featuring her artwork

I have been creating artwork since I was 4 years old and that is where I discovered my true passion. My portfolio consists of more than 125 pieces of art in various media – pencil, oil pastel, soft pastel, water-color, color-pencil, charcoal, glass, scratch-boards etc. At the moment, I really enjoy charcoal and combining it with white soft pastel. In the past I’ve worked a lot with colorful artwork; however I believe producing pieces that are black and white grants a story or depth behind every piece. As a creator, I divulge in the narrative and develop an emotional attachment to my pieces when a personalized interpretation is present.

Pearl Raina
Pearl Raina

Since I was 7 years old, I started showcasing my artwork at various school and community events at Cupertino and Milpitas library. I received various opportunities to exhibit on various community projects – Independence Day, Non-Violence Day, Children’s Day and many other events. As a 10 year old, I was interviewed by San Jose Mercury News and later featured as a young artist in all Bay Area publications. I’ve gifted paintings to many dignitaries including President Obama and Malala Yousafzai, the Noble peace price laureate.  It give me immense pleasure to present Sushmita Sen’s painting to her today at the Gala (Attached is the painting that I am presenting at the Gala today March 10th2019)

Portrait of Sushmita Sen by Pearl
Portrait of Sushmita Sen by Pearl

I am also a budding entrepreneur and teach children from the ages 5 to 12 years at “Pearl’s Art Studio”. Two years ago, I started teaching art classes to kids as I realized my biggest motivation is igniting the expressive artist that is present in everyone. Witnessing the expressions others present due to a piece they have created is an indescribable moment of satisfaction and honor. My motto and I hope to live up with that is “Give back to community and inspire kids to express through art!”

I strive for perfection and want to ultimately pursue Art as a career. Currently I am working on the Series of “White on black” and “Black on white” paintings for my Solo Exhibition later this year. Attached is the Digital Portfolio of few paintings from the Series.