Laal Maati Studio

Aastha Tantia

Laal Maati Studio — Goa, India

Aastha Tantia sitting in tall grass in Goa

Hi, my name is Aastha and I'm an artist based in Goa, India.

My artwork primarily revolves around the organic psychedelia within the natural world as a call to remember that 'nature and man' is really just 'nature and nature' .

I work with materials like rocks soils flowers leaves fruits trees barks, gums etc. to create all natural watercolor paints which I then use to create my artwork.

I was always drawn to the witchier side of nature and would often engage in brewing potions in the backyard as a child but as I grew older my fascination with nature developed into a way for me to bring this magic into the real world though the natural colors.

My art is available to purchase online and in-person and I also host workshops and classes on how to make the natural pigments.

Making the colour

  • A wooden box of ochre and red pigment rocks beside a sketchbook of earth swatches

    Rocks and earth gathered on walks, swatched in the field before they are ground.

  • Earth pigments in glass vials, stone bowls and a marble mortar on white cloth

    Ground earth pigments, sorted into vials and shell pans in the studio.

  • Jars of plant dyes in green, yellow, pink and red beside a painted colour chart

    Plant, flower and fruit colour, extracted and charted for lightfastness.

  • Paintings made with natural pigments laid out on a studio table

    Finished works on paper, painted entirely with hand-made pigments.

For commissions, workshops or questions about a piece, write to the studio.

aasthatantia@gmail.com+91 86172 29275@_laalmaati_