An Artist-Led Collective
Ekta Gupta
Colored Pencil Artist
Bio: Ekta is drawn to using colored pencils to capture the intricate beauty of nature. Whether sketching a chickadee or the complexity of wrinkles on paper, she loves to capture the play of light and shadow in graphite as well. As a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists, she has shown her work at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library at the University of Washington and the Bloedel Reserve Museum on Bainbridge Island. She also creates custom portraits and commissions, and her artwork has been published in national and international magazines. She currently serves on the board of the Downtown Issaquah Association.
On classrooms: Ekta taught at a school for gifted children for 14 years, and she continues to be inspired by her art students, young and old. “They are my best inspirations. I always feel energized after teaching a class.”
On second careers: She originally trained as a pharmacist, evident in her precision as an artist.
On getting unstuck: “A stroll on a trail in a park or garden, or forest-bathing paired with meditation usually helps.”
On the wild edges: “My favorite place in Issaquah isn't a single destination, but anywhere nature is quietly reclaiming space—a trail’s edge, a roadside ditch, a forgotten corner where wildflowers and weeds thrive together. I’m as enchanted by dandelions and thistles as I am by cultivated roses and lilies… The hidden gems in Issaquah aren’t just places on a map; they’re moments of connection when a bloom catches your eye and pulls you inward.”
On giving back: All proceeds of Ekta’s artwork go toward microloans through the nonprofit Kiva. “So far I have loaned almost $44,000 thanks to the love and generosity of my patrons.”
Hometown: “I was born in Mumbai, India, but I have lived in the U.S. longer than in India.”
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