Do you travel to see… or to see differently?

A cute place in Sri Lanka

This is how my journey from Chennai to Dubai has shaped my art practice.

I didn’t study art in school — not formally. But creativity found its way in through little windows: helping with classroom displays, drawing science and geography diagrams, and my favorite — geometry.

At home, I picked up doodling from my mom and older sister. Back then, every house had a landline phone with a phone diary beside it — ours was full of the cutest doodles: flowers, swirls, tiny faces. I started copying those — not just in the margins, but all over my textbooks.

That habit stuck. In a school system that focused on memorising, I learned by visualising. Whether it was Shakespeare or a war in history, I’d draw the scene to understand and remember it.

Doodling wasn’t a distraction — it was how I paid attention. Of course, I got told off by teachers for doodling on my textbooks — with all due respect, it’s how I processed information. But hey, here I am. And I now remember — I once passed on a textbook to a junior who told me she thought the doodles were cute. Thanks, Jhanvi! 😊

From Doodles to Destinations

Over time, I developed a style of my own — inspired by nature, textures, and spaces I’ve experienced on my travels and finding beauty in inperfection.

Some of my favourite series include:

Into the wild - Size A4. Inspired by New Zealand. Medium: Watercolour and Indian Ink

•  New Zealand – The first time I visited New Zealand, I had just come from the noise and chaos of Bombay — a city I lived and worked in, where every corner hums with life. Landing in New Zealand felt like stepping into another world.

I was struck — almost breathless — by the wild beauty, the colours of the berries, the lush fruits, and the gentle rhythm of wildlife all around. It was a complete shift of pace, of palette, of perspective.

That contrast… it stirred something in me. Inspired me.

Nature here isn’t just scenery — it’s alive, vibrant, and quietly powerful. And I think a piece of that still lives in my palette today.

•  Bali – Tropical bursts, temple silhouettes, and banana leaves swaying in the Bali breeze.

Inspired by Bali - A Modern Escape to the Tropics.

At the time, I was living in Muscat — a landscape of sun-scorched earth, sweeping sand dunes, and quiet mountains.

Bali felt like stepping into a painting — all lush greens, deep shadows, and vibrant reds.

It was the same with parts of Sri Lanka — something about those places stirred something deep within me. I must revisit - to sketch, to soak, to let them refill the well of inspiration.

• Sri Lanka - I’ll confess — I’m not really that into traveling.It disrupts my rhythm, my routine… and too long a break feels unsettling. Unless.Unless it fuels something in me. Unless it sparks my art.

  
  

  Sri Lanka was one of those places. I didn’t know it then, but that solo ten-day trip was a turning point.It had long been on my bucket list — ever since I read the Ramayana.To walk the land that’s part of that epic story felt surreal.

  
  

  

  
  

  Lush, green, and deeply tropical — it reminded me of Bali and parts of Kerala. It wasn’t just a trip. It was colour, mythology, and memory, all wrapped together —and it left a mark on my palette and spirit. – Coastal hues and earth-toned quiet.

  
  
  
  

St. Albans - Bedfordshire. Live sketch, Painting in my sketchbook - size A4

UK — where ruins whisper stories, wildflowers bloom with quiet grace, and my travel journal fills with field sketches and fleeting thoughts- andever inspiring museums and art galleris!

If you’re curious to see this journey unfold visually, I invite you to explore my portfolio and sketchbook. Each piece tells a story of a place, a moment, or a feeling captured through my eyes. I’d love for you to take a look and see which ones speak to you.

My art is a quiet reflection of the way I see and process the world — and how it has shaped me in return, besides finding beauty in imperfections.

Thanks for reading a piece of my journey.

Do you travel to see… or to see differently? - would love to know!

I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a message on Instagram @HimaniNu -

If you would like me to create a beautiful artwork that feels nostalgic while adding beauty, purpose and value to your space - hello@himaninu.com