Rahul Mehandi Artist

We are right at the corner of Princess on Avenue Road. It’s a spot that stays pretty lively throughout the day with all the shoppers and people passing by. We set up our space so there is enough room for people to sit down and be comfortable while the work is being done. Mehandi takes time, so we try to make the environment feel relaxed despite the noise from the street. You can smell the henna when you get close to our little area. We have our cones and designs ready to go at all times. It is a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes when it gets busy, especially during wedding seasons or festivals, but we manage. People often stop just to watch for a minute before moving on to the next shop. The light on this corner is actually quite good for seeing the small details in the patterns. We don't have a big fancy sign, just our presence here that people have come to recognize over the years. It’s a very hands-on kind of day for us. We talk to all sorts of people who are out for a walk or looking for something specific on Avenue Road. It’s nice being part of the local street life. We see the same vendors every day and we all look out for each other. It’s a straightforward setup, focusing on the art and the person sitting in the chair.