Meet Dev Heyrana, an artist who immigrated to the U.S. when she was nine years old. Dev credits her roots as the driving factor for how she expresses herself on canvas. Using acrylics with natural pigments like dried beets, turmeric, and greens, she paints soft neutral colors on wood panels. As a Tejari lover, Dev uses the same thoughtfulness approaching nutrition as she does with her art. Keep reading to get to know Dev!
When did you begin drawing and painting? I don’t remember not drawing. I think as soon as I could pick up a pencil. My earliest memories are drawing the ocean and palm trees that surrounded us in the Philippines. Art and Nature has played a big part of my life. My abstract pieces are part of my Horizon Series. I remember my Grandma telling me before we left to immigrate to the United States. “ You see the sun? No matter where you are we see the same one rising and setting.” The Horizon Series is dedicated to her.
When did you begin to come into your own unique style? I feel like I am constantly trying to fine tune my techniques. Women and Abstract has always been my main focus since I was in High School. I got my Second Degree in Graphic design and having that knowledge with Fine Art was a beautiful part of my artistic expression. It brought everything together for me.
How has motherhood and your family inspired the subjects of your art? Everything. I think about my girls and what they see in the world. To see themselves in art is powerful and something I know my generation did not grow up with. Motherhood has made me fearless, unapologetic, and full of love. I’ve taking all those and expressed it in every brushstroke.
How does nutrition and healthy eating play a role in the way you show up for your work? As thoughtful as I am with the way I work, I think I need to honor myself too by what I put into my body. It’s all connected. Holding a ceramic cup created by hands from another part of the world and while I drink my Green Power Smoothie … It doesn’t escape me the thoughtfulness in all of it and the women behind it.
What is your favorite go-to healthy lunch on busy days for you and your family? When my girls are part of the process, they are more excited about eating meals. It doesn’t have to be huge, it could be as simple as putting veggies in a bowl.
Our favorite, the girls named it, “Rainbow Veggie Wraps”. We put out a big bowl of sticky rice with a little coconut oil, thinly sliced carrots, cucumbers, avocado, and pickled red onions. I tend to go vegetarian and the rest of my family likes to add Baked Salmon. On small sheets of Seaweed they build their own, it’s really fun and so yummy. It’s the most I see the girls eat veggies.
Which Tejari product is your favorite, and how do you use it?
It’s between Golden Banana and Organic Apples + Greens. As I’m typing this the girls totally took sneak sips of my Apples + Greens Latte. We love it mixed with our favorite non-dairy milk, a little froth on top, and served warm/hot.
What advice would you give to your younger self in regards to your career as an artist? Trust your gut and trust your process. There will be many who will tell you no or you can’t do something. You’ll be really good at ignoring these people.
Mistakes in art can lead to learning just like in life. Painting in Watercolor has taught me patience. Painting in Acrylic has taught me to be a planner. I have no regrets, even those hard times is why I am who I am now. Every process has been beautiful and I am grateful to have experienced all of it.
Stay up-to-date on all of Dev’s work on her Instagram @_heyrana
