Orlando Public Library presents the work of two local contemporary artists whose collections explore themes of self-expression and travel experiences.
Shree Chauhan creates vibrant works inspired by nature, personal memory, and her identity as a queer Desi woman. In her Jewel Collection and Wanderlust Series, color becomes a language of joy and remembrance, inviting viewers to slow down, look closer, and feel deeply.
Sam Michelle captures the essence of Italy through dreamlike landscapes and architectural impressions. Her current collection is both a memory and a celebration of creative exploration and offering viewers an emotional journey through Italian settings.
Together, these artists offer a rich visual experience rooted in personal and cultural storytelling. Visit the Downtown Library through September to experience their powerful and expressive work. Below is an interview with the artists.
What motivates you to create?
Sam: I believe that I have a natural inclination to express creative feelings through art, in many different forms. From creating traditional paintings to aerial arts performance work, to playing the harp, I resonate with beautiful ways to express oneself. For me, it is about the feelings I get while creating the art, not necessarily about the end results themselves.
Shree: When I first started painting, I did it because it made me feel unadulterated joy. I loved how color and shape made me feel. At the time I was very ill, and painting helped heal me.
When I paint today, I still feel joy from the process. I love surrendering to my creativity and getting into flow state. Making art gives me the space and freedom to express my emotions. As a queer Desi woman, I am also motivated to create art that celebrates my identity and values—particularly when there are unrelenting attacks on marginalized people in the United States and around the world.
How do your surroundings, physical or cultural, influence your creative decisions?
Sam: I would say that my surroundings influence my creative decisions to a minimal extent. In my experience, I have an initial introduction to a type of art itself via the internet or coming across it in person, such as alcohol inks or aerial arts, and then I am naturally drawn to it. From there, I decide to try it out and it gradually becomes a part of my life. I am thankful that I have the ability to do and pursue whatever piques my interest, with no outside forces pushing me one way or another.
Shree: I find inspiration in nature, my culture, my meditation practice and my emotions.
I consider color to be my biggest influence. I often see color when I meditate, I love the bright colors of my Indian culture and I enjoy expressing my emotions through the use of color.
I created two collections that were influenced by the beautiful colors found in nature—the Fresh and Jewel Collections. While the Fresh Collection took its inspiration from natural locations like the ocean and desert, the Jewel Collection had a more specific inspiration—the stunning colors of semi-precious stones.
The Wanderlust Series pulls colors from my travels and presents these memories like swirly portals into the past.
How do you know when a piece is finished? Or do you believe artwork is ever truly finished?
Sam: For my realistic traditional paintings, I know my artwork is finished when I no longer feel the need to make any necessary tweaks or adjustments. Aspects such as proportions and alignment need to be as accurate as I can get them before I can say it is done. For abstract and partially abstract artwork, it’s all about me feeling like it looks pleasant to the eye. No specific criteria to follow for those.
Shree: I create both planned and unplanned pieces. With my planned work, the end point is usually clearer—it is when I achieve the vision of what I was seeking to create. With my unplanned pieces—where I create with emotion—the finish line isn’t as defined. In both cases, I rely on my intuition to tell me whether a piece is complete. Sometimes that process takes years. In fact, I recently just completed a piece that I started in 2021.
Are there any materials or media you feel a deep emotional connection to? Why?
Sam: I feel a deep connection to all of my art forms of choice. They are all art forms that I came across in life by chance, and I felt naturally inclined to try them out. They bring me joy and have become a consistent, integral part of my life.
Shree: One of the first creative mediums I delved into was jewelry-making and I amassed a large collection of beads—including semi-precious stones. I treasure my bead collection and am starting to incorporate embroidery and beads into my art. Doing so has been a joy.
I also have different findings from vintage Indian clothes and jewelry that I hope to include in future pieces. These items make me feel close to my heritage—whose beauty I love sharing with others.
What are some of the key details or elements that you wanted to highlight in your pieces?
Sam: Most of my pieces currently on display at the Orlando Public Library are mementos that I created after my trip to Italy. I had an amazing experience traveling all around the country and wanted to capture memories of various locations in my own style. The collection also doubled as an exploration of a new art style for me; a style that loosely captures the beauty and essence of landscapes and architecture, while relieving the pressure of hyper realistic image recreation.
Shree: For the pieces that are on display at the library, I’d love for the viewer to envelop themselves in color. For me, color is a language I use to express emotion—in most cases joy.
I’d love for the viewer to get closer to the paintings and see the individual brushstrokes. In particular, for the Wanderlust series, I’d love for folks to consider what colors they might choose for the locations I was inspired by for the series.
