Rising Stars: Meet Lydia Hannah

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Hannah.

Hi Lydia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 

Hello, my name is Lydia Hannah, I am a henna artist, modern calligrapher & a visual artist. Born & raised in South India my artistic journey began in the culture-rich land of Karnataka. I can vividly recall spending time just gazing at the little details of wind almost touching the surface of water, creating a symmetrical pattern to the vast sky with colors so pure and vibrant that I wondered if I’ll ever do justice to mix that exact shade in my palette. Nature has played a major role in my story, the psalmist says in Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” It always intrigued me to see God’s artistry in nature; this wonder sparked curiosity towards colors, strokes, different art forms in me, and till date, I’m constantly learning, observing, and trying to understand God’s unique signature around me.

Since young age, I loved colors and strokes; there was something about patterns that slowly became my language. I found my freedom in the 4 corners of the canvas; I could float in the lightness of my heart with gentle strokes and pour out the longest conversation with bold strokes; it is a language only Christ, me, and my brushes understood. The early fascination gradually evolved into a passion for art. As I progressed through school years, I found myself gravitating towards design concepts, techniques, and various mediums. I could not limit myself with just pastels or acrylics; my head and heart wanted to explore the wide world of creativity. With unwavering support of my parents and family, who went above and beyond fought against all odds to support me pursue fine arts, which wasn’t an easy career choice.

Little did I know that my story was being handwritten by God Himself! After marriage, I moved to the beautiful landscapes of Michigan, where I’m a blessed wife and mother of 3 precious children (2 giggling next to me as I write & 1 dancing in the presence of my Savior). My husband has been a constant support and encouraged me to continue my passion; thanks to all my pillars of strength, I am now the owner of the design house ‘Lydia Hannah Designs LLC,’ it is my brainchild, a canvas for my design passions to come alive.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Smooth, absolutely not! ‘The state of wonder is what will keep one’s art fueled; the day you lose the wonder in your soul, you are dead as an artist.’ Being a busy mom, it has been a struggle to keep that wonder alive, but thankful to my family who encourage me to pursue my passion. My biggest obstacles were uncertainty and holding on to my center as an artist while I was transitioning from being a daughter to wife and a new mom. Many suggested to focus on one art form and that it will confuse the clients what exactly my brand is about. Here is the thing: my passion towards art was not limited to one form or medium; it has been a struggle to convey that ‘Lydia Hannah Designs’ is a best of both traditional and contemporary design house be it henna artistry, wide range of calligraphy services, engraving or endless tasteful fine art elements like portrait painting, live wedding painting, custom murals, painting on fabric and list goes on.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Lydia Hannah Designs is a luxury hand crafted & organic design house. It is a saga of classic, timeless, heirloom worthy pieces to bring royalty & sophistication to everyone!

I specialize in three distinct yet harmonious realms of creativity: bridal henna artistry that weaves intricate tales on hands, calligraphy that transforms words into visual poetry, and fine art services that paint emotions onto canvas. Each stroke, each detail, and each design is a testament in turning moments into memories and celebrations into timeless works of art. I believe my heart towards it, forges a place uniquely in the modern market.

I specialize in personalized bridal henna with over 15 years of experience; I enjoy incorporating the details in henna patterns and offer a memory that lasts a lifetime! Henna designs can draw inspiration from various sources such as your wedding attire, jewelry, love story, architectural motifs, and even portraits. Each design is meticulously created, and the henna is infused with pure lavender oil, offering a therapeutic experience. As a proponent of symmetry, I favor the interplay of delicate and bold lines. I handcraft my own blend of henna, made with 100% organic materials, USDA-approved Bulgarian lavender oil, and henna powder from Rajasthan, India.

I am a calligrapher and engraver, offering wide range of personalized items, handwritten letters, envelope addressing, welcome signages, engraved customized perfume bottles, and on various materials. Amidst the modern advancements, there remains something irreplaceable by machines: the soulful touch of seasoned calligraphy. Calligraphy infuses endless possibilities with warmth and sophistication, adding a unique and timeless charm that technology cannot replicate.

I am also a fine artist, offering live wedding painting, personalized portrait painting, and wall murals. Think of those times when photography did not exist; the elite heired fine artists to capture the beauty and the grandeur of special moments, very similar to that idea I am passionate to bring to you. I believe a hand-painted portrait becomes more like an heirloom-worthy piece one can own; it will for sure be a conversation starter! I would be absolutely delighted to capture life’s special moments and freeze them in a painting; as an artist, that would be such an honor to know that one’s work can forge such a lasting impression in someone’s life.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I delivered my firstborn when Covid was at its peak; while I was adapting to life as a new mom in a new land among new people, Covid made the transition all the more hard; we lost family members to covid back in India; this left us devastated. One life lesson that changed my perspective and has made me stronger than before is, imagine you are blindfolded and you are given a spoonful of surprise element to taste; you have no idea about the texture or its taste, filled with curiosity and doubt as you savor the element, your taste buds will encounter sweetness and explode in spicy fiery flavor that leaves your taste buds on fire. Can you do anything to remove that taste? Was anything in your control? In the same way, life brought absolute joy (sweetness) as I held my tender baby and still was stung by the reality of pandemic. Nothing that happens in life is in our control; what is in our reach is our mindset. Yes, terrible things happened as well as amazing things too. Do we get better or bitter it’s in our hands.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lydiahannahdesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydiahannahdesigns/