Why I Started This Blog
- Himani Khimji
- Jul 3
- 7 min read
By Himani
To document my career, the choices I’ve made, and the creative path I’ve carved — this blog is a reflection of everything that has shaped me into the artist, designer, and educator I am today.
The Early Years
I was not a typical student. I didn’t connect with math or science, though I had a natural fascination with biology — perhaps because I’ve always felt deeply connected to nature and its rhythms.
But my real turning point came through language.
I struggled to express myself in writing and speech until I met Ms. Lucy, my English teacher in 8th grade. Her lessons were held under a tree, not in a classroom. She brought stories to life — from prose and poetry — and she would say:
“When you write, write as if you are drawing. Show with beautiful handwriting and thoughtful sentences.”
That invitation to create gave me space to breathe. For the first time, I wanted to sit in the front row of a classroom.
But my learning didn’t stop at the school gate.Music and movies became my personal teachers. I used to memorise lyrics from the backs of cassette tapes — Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, Titanic, Channel V’s Viva, and the magic of Walt Disney. I imitated Shah Rukh Khan’s dialogues — it gave me great practice with speaking and rhythm.
For someone who’s now taught hundreds of students from all over the world, this might come as a surprise. But it has been a long journey — full of ups and downs — and today, I am both confident and self-assured.
I also had the privilege of growing up in a family that loved to travel. Each trip expanded my view of the world and nurtured my curiosity, creativity, and confidence. I was exposed to different places, people, and perspectives — and with a sporty, adventurous mother, I was always learning something new.
She may have wished I had more love for academics, but she recognised my creative spark — and she made sure it never went unnoticed.
A Spark Through Art
Indian schools in those days were strict and rigorous — and I suppose they still are. I come from the south of India, where education is taken very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that it’s not uncommon for one’s academic degrees to be printed on their wedding invitation.
In that world, your value often came from your qualifications — which, in many ways, isn’t a bad thing. I believe education is a beautiful goal. But only if you're studying something you truly enjoy.
Not everyone needs to be a doctor, engineer, or lawyer. Wouldn’t the world be a more inspired, happier place if more of us pursued careers we were genuinely passionate about?
While that might be a conversation for another day, let’s return to my story.
Art was never part of our school curriculum. But somehow, it still found its way into my life — through small moments and rare opportunities.
One of my earliest recognitions came during a school-wide competition called Raising Money for the Kargil War. I won the top prize, and my artwork was displayed outside the principal’s office. I still remember how proud I felt — and how proud my mother was, especially because she had once served in the Indian Navy and had helped me prepare for it.
During summer breaks, my mother ensured I stayed connected to creativity. She enrolled me in different art classes. In Chennai, there was Jayshree Aunty who taught me sketching, and another Jayshree Aunty who introduced me to the art of henna — something that later became foundational in my fashion and textile design journey. Later, in Chembur, Bombay, I learnt with Chitra Aunty, who guided my early explorations in art with so much patience and warmth.
And then there was Solomon — I joined his classes while preparing for a competitive undergraduate entrance exam. He taught architecture students in the batch before mine, and I would quietly sit in the back row, absorbing everything I could. My own group was preparing for a course that tested creativity, logic, spatial understanding, and language. These sessions weren’t just summer activities — they were the beginning of a deeper, more focused journey into creativity.
They gave structure to what, until then, had simply been a feeling — that I was meant to make things.
College Years: Stepping Into Creative Identity (2008- 2011)
When I joined M.O.P. Vaishnav College to study Visual Communication, I finally felt like I belonged. For the first time, art wasn’t a side note — it was part of the syllabus. Even though it was just one semester, it meant the world.
We explored photography, film-making, television production, graphic design — I immersed myself in all of it. It gave me a sense of direction, possibility, and purpose.I made friends who were passionate, found mentors, and realised that learning could be joyful when it aligned with who I was.
(Side note: To students still in school — I want to say, schooling matters. But sometimes, it’s later in life that your spark really catches fire. That’s okay.)
A Turning Point in 2018
By 2018, I had already worked across multiple creative fields — fashion, textiles, interiors, branding, and painting. I wasn’t exploring out of confusion; I was building across a connected creative language.
That year, I formalised my independent practice under the name Himani Nu — then an art and design studio that I started in Muscat, Oman, entirely from scratch.
I was going through a personally difficult time, and I wanted to return to something grounding: art. It has always been a place I could trust — a space to reflect, process, and feel joy.
Around this time, a thought occurred to me:“Maybe I could teach this.”
And just as I was contemplating the idea, someone asked if I would run a class.
I didn’t feel 100% confident — but I was willing to try. I started an Instagram page to document my creative journey. That led to my very first workshop: a handwriting session. It was well-organised, thoughtfully priced — and to my surprise, it filled up.
It wasn’t a hobbyist moment. It was the beginning of something real.
Workshop after workshop — in cafés, living rooms, and studios — I built a community. I developed a teaching style. I learned how to create engaging, welcoming learning experiences. I was proud of what I was building, and at the time, there were very few people offering similar workshops in Muscat.
Teaching became a new pillar of my practice — one I hadn’t planned for, but one that fit perfectly.
Becoming a Qualified Educator
While working part-time at a school, the headteacher mentioned the idea of gaining formal teaching qualifications. That suggestion planted a seed — and I took it seriously.
It so happened that, in order to gain admission into a teacher training program, schools required applicants to have some form of prior experience within their chosen subject area. I was fortunate to secure a 10-day full-time school placement, which gave me a deeper understanding of the role and helped me meet this requirement.
Soon after, I began preparing for the required exams in Math and English — both subjects I had once feared. The Numeracy and Literacy exams are highly competitive and form a crucial part of qualifying as a teacher in the UK, along with the IELTS Academic exam. But this time, I approached them with a clearer mind and a stronger sense of purpose.
I applied to teaching programs, got accepted into one of the best schools, and funded most of the course through my business. Toward the end, my father helped with a small loan — and I’m so grateful he did.
While studying, I also worked in a restaurant in London to cover my living expenses — a true Londoner experience. That city taught me so much about life, resilience, and independence.
Eventually, I qualified and was hired as an Art and Design Technology teacher in the UK, right at the height of the pandemic.
That job changed everything.
I never thought I’d work in a school. But teaching happened naturally — and I’m so glad it did. It has taken me places, given me perspective, and helped me build skills I’ll carry with me for life.
Living the Craft
Since then, I’ve grown in every way — professionally, personally, spiritually. I’ve learned how to lead, design, assess, connect, and reflect.
I’m not just an artist who teaches — or a teacher who makes art.I’m a practitioner who believes in making, sharing, and uplifting through creativity.
The Next Chapter
Today, I’m pivoting again — not out of confusion, but from clarity.
As I step into this new chapter, I’m building Himani Nu not just as a studio for teaching, but as a space for creative service — where art meets intention.
Whether it’s designing personality-rich art for homes, cafés, or workspaces… crafting visual identity for brands through thoughtful graphic design… supporting fashion designers with bespoke prints… or offering creative gifting and packaging for weddings and corporate clients — everything I do is rooted in story, soul, and purpose.
And through it all, I’ll continue to teach — because I believe creativity grows strongest when it’s shared.
If you’re here reading this: thank you.
I’m not here to be just one thing —I’m here to be all the things that make me feel alive. And I hope, through this space, I help you do the same.
— With heart,
Himani
Have you ever returned to something that once lit you up?
I’d love to hear about it. Drop me a message on Instagram @HimaniNu or comment below.
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