Bahrain-based artist Monisha Vyas’ striking abstract depictions of nature honour her belief in the special bond between humans and the Earth.

Through her vibrant creations, the 23-year-old from Manama hopes to explore this connection – a journey that she embarked on during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the Indian expatriate has been passionate about the arts since childhood.

Her works are ‘dreamy’, often including flowers and petals hiding in plain sight. According to her, nature says a lot without speaking and teaches us to be present.

“Growing up, my bedroom walls displayed notebook pages and A4 sheets full of drawings and paintings – my own mini art gallery,” the creative talent, who was born and raised in the kingdom, told GulfWeekly.

“Somewhere along the way, I lost the spark to paint as a form of enjoyment. I wanted to fit in and look cool,” recounted the Indian School Bahrain alumna.

However, fate had other plans and Monisha reconnected with her love for art six years ago.

“In 2020, when the world fell silent, giving us more time than we could have imagined, my Instagram account @art.withisha was born, and I began painting again. It was like I did when I was younger, only a little more serious and a lot more imaginative.”

Picking up the brush not only resurrected her creative side but also provided her with a tool to navigate life.

“Art has always been there (for me) through everything. Whether it is something heavy or joyful, I just turn to creating. It is less about overcoming something and more about how I move through life,” added the self-taught artist, who uses acrylic ink as her main medium.

Acrylic ink is more fluid than acrylic paint. Using it combines her love for the medium and watercolours.

Other media she works with includes, charcoal, pastels and henna, as well as digital.

Aside from illustrating, Monisha writes poetry and short stories – a hobby that blossomed from her habit of journaling. The wordsmith has been maintaining diaries since the tender age of 12, and believes that her art and words have a way of overlapping.

“I think artists have a knack for storytelling in some format because a painting can be expressed through a poem and vice versa. Art and writing are immersive experiences and together, they beautifully complement the worlds I create,” she explained.

The Bahrain Art Collective member hosts live art sessions and has participated in exhibitions, including Confluence – Bahrain Writers’ Circle’s annual poetry and art showcase held at Harbour Gate in Bahrain Financial Harbour – where she exhibited both, her words and art, in October 2025.

Talking about her artistic goals, the aspirant chartered accountant revealed that she hopes to keep sharing her work and inspiring fellow creatives, as well as creating spaces that bring artists together.

“One of my biggest dreams is to exhibit and curate exhibitions around the globe, and to take my work, especially the unique medium of acrylic ink, beyond borders.

“At the same time, I am deeply interested in blending multiple art forms, including music, dance, videography, photography and more, to create interdisciplinary experiences that bring different kinds of artists together.

“I want to work on projects that leave a lasting impact, where creativity becomes a shared space rather than an individual pursuit,” she added.