Hey! I am Pooja Kenjale-Umrani, founder of By The Lakeside Art Studio, a surface design and art illustration brand.
By The Lakeside came into existence originally as a handmade candle company. I have made more than 600 candles and sold them through pop-up markets and Etsy. I can make them in my sleep and nail the pouring temperatures without a thermometer!
As years passed by, I realized that making only candles was not satisfying my passion to create. I knew I wanted to paint. I started painting with watercolours in 2016 and I couldn’t put the brush down ever since! As I got better at it and opportunities started knocking the door, it was a practical decision to navigate my small business from making candles to watercolours illustrations; more particularly – abstract, loose style florals and art for everyday and seasonal categories. Now there is no looking back and I am grateful to have found my calling.