Warm, softly lit artist's studio with brushes and paints, deep amber and shadow tones
Self-taught
artist
Since
2012

Behind the Scenes

Meet the mind behind the art

Swarna Sitaraman is a self-taught artist and Creativity Consultant who has been exuberantly creating since a very young age — encouraged by her parents, she experimented with different mediums throughout her life.

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About SpiceUp

A passion that keeps growing

Self-taught with a passion to create and share, Swarna has been an exuberant artist from a very young age. Her passion, fueled by the support and encouragement of her parents, led her to experiment with different mediums and keep finding new ways to express herself.

A mother of two budding artists, she continues to be amazed by the creativity around her — and by the joy of sharing it with others. SpiceUp was born from that desire: to add a little ‘spice’ to people’s lives through creativity, art and design.

“Creativity is not a talent you either have or don’t — it is something you keep feeding.”

SpiceUp is a creative space devoted to art, design, and the small rituals that make a home feel lived-in. The work spans painting, commissioned creations, interior-inspired pieces, workshops, and camps for learners of every age, from children rediscovering color to adults returning to expression after a long pause. Rather than a strict studio identity, the platform acts as a curatorial vine: art, classes, social gatherings, and musings are woven together so that creativity becomes part of ordinary interiors and everyday conversation.

Behind the scenes is a self-taught artist and creativity consultant who began experimenting with different mediums early in life, encouraged by family and sustained by curiosity. That background informs a philosophy of nurturing creative energy in others, offering guidance, original artwork, giclee prints, and donated pieces alongside supply lists and event listings. Festivals, walks, workshops, and seasonal activities extend this ethos outward, balancing the left-brain structure of a class with the right-brain freedom of play, and leaving room for pride, joy, and shared creative purpose.

Close-up of a painter's palette with dabs of teal, cream and lime green paint in soft studio light
Working across mediums, from the studio in Chandler, Arizona.

Materials & Mediums

Years of trying new mediums

Working across a wide range of materials keeps the work fresh, and gives Swarna a well-stocked library of techniques to draw from in every class, commission and design project.

  • Acrylics
  • Watercolors
  • Oils
  • Clay
  • Pastels

What began as a personal practice grew into classes and workshops for all ages, commissioned creations and interior design work for homes — each one a way of adding ‘spice’ to a space.

Where to next

Keep the creativity going

Classes

Art lessons for all ages — classes, workshops and camps to try your hand at creativity.

See classes

Blog

Musings of the artist: reflections on art, creativity and life from the studio.

Read the blog

Contact

Inquiries, commissions and class registrations — reach out to the studio.

Get in touch

Let's add a little spice

For commissions, class registrations or a chat about your space, write to the studio in Chandler, Arizona.

Contact SpiceUp