Artist Bio

Photo by: Paul Hernandez, Hennawi House Henna, October, 2008

My first exposure to henna was during a visit to the kingdom of Morocco in 1987. "What a beautiful art, " I thought. It wasn't until 9 years later when I walked into a local Indian store and saw some photos of bridal henna on a bulletin board that I remembered it.

"That is henna," the old woman told me. "Yes, I know, it's very beautiful," I said. We talked for a bit and eventually she offered to train me how to mix and apply the henna to the skin. I returned the next day and she spent 2 hours going over the process and taught me how to apply henna using a stick. After the lesson, I returned home with the rest of the mix and quickly became hooked.

Over the next 10 years I would practice the art on and off, getting better, and then slacking for a bit, each time learning some new techniques or a different regional pattern. Two years ago, I decided I would launch my business, and here I am. Today, I can be found at events, private parties and at private appointments.

My style varies from traditional to contemporary, but I particularly love designs and motifs from Western and Central Africa and the Pacific Islands...you know, manly stuff :)