Meet Ragni Agarwal

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ragni Agarwal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ragni, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art is my compass through the unpredictable landscape of my mind. As a kid, I struggled with social anxiety, and creativity became the place where I could fully exist without fear. Making art was never just about drawing or painting, it was a way of building my own world, one that felt brighter, more expansive, and more forgiving than the one around me.

Over time, I realized that art was not only a personal outlet but also a way to connect with others. It gave me freedom and healing, and it let me share pieces of myself that I could not always put into words. My bold and vibrant art style grew from that journey, and now it feels like a safe space where other women, especially women of color, can see themselves reflected and celebrated.

Choosing a creative career was not really a choice, it was survival, and then it became purpose. Now I see it as my way of honoring both where I have come from and what I want to build: spaces for joy, community, and radical self-expression.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is bold, vibrant, and deeply rooted in both my Indian heritage and my lived experience as a woman of color in Los Angeles. I create worlds full of color, pattern, and maximalist energy, but beneath the surface they are always about something more: mental health, vulnerability, liberation, and the push to reclaim joy even in hard times. People often tell me my work feels like color therapy, and I think that is what sets it apart. It is not just about being pretty on the wall, it is about being a mirror, a spark, and a safe space.

I am most proud of creating collections like Badtameez Betis and Junglee that merge cultural storytelling with personal healing. Pieces like Rise Up or Eye Bloom carry messages that resonate across different communities, and I am excited by how my art continues to spark conversations about identity, belonging, and justice. I have also had the joy of seeing my work travel into unexpected spaces, from murals and community centers to television on Abbott Elementary.

Getting here was not easy. I worked in tech and design for years before taking the leap into art full time. As a woman of color, it has been challenging to carve out space in an art world that is not always built for us. Financial instability, self doubt, and the pressure to fit into certain molds were very real hurdles. What got me through was consistency, showing up even when things were quiet, and leaning on community. My sister, fellow artists, and South Asian organizations I have collaborated with reminded me that the work matters even when it feels invisible.

The biggest lessons I have learned are to embrace my own path instead of chasing someone else’s version of success, to balance survival with creativity, and to root everything I do in care for myself, my ancestors, and my communities.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that RAD Studio is not just about selling art. It is about building spaces of joy, radical vulnerability, and connection. It is about honoring heritage while making room for new, vibrant futures. Every piece I make is both personal and collective, a love letter to resilience and to the power of color.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start with art, because that is the heartbeat of the city. I would take them to The Broad, LACMA, the Hammer Museum, or Craft Contemporary, depending on what exhibitions were on. We would also check out local gems like Rajeev Menon’s gallery, Band of Vices, Friday Gallery, and Slow Jamz Gallery to really experience the energy of LA’s creative scene.

For food and drink, I would make sure we had dinner at Scopa, brunch at Baar Baar, and late night LA street dogs after a show. We would grab takeout from Tuk Tuk Thai, and spend an evening with music and drinks at Damn I Miss Paris in West Adams or at No Smoking Bar. For coffee and a slower moment, I would take them to the Architecture Bookstore to sketch and get inspired.

We would of course head out to Malibu for a beach day, and one night catch a concert under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. I would want them to feel the soul of the city, so we would stop by Reparations Club Bookstore, soak up jazz at the Blue Note, and take time for a massage at The Now to reset.

LA is at its best when you let yourself wander between the big cultural institutions and the intimate neighborhood spots. I would want my friend to leave feeling the pulse of the city, its art, music, food, and the communities that make it so alive.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my sister, Chandna. She is an incredible artist whose work is rooted in her activism and her deep care for the world around her. Her art is bold and fearless, and it constantly reminds me that creativity is not only about self-expression but also about responsibility, justice, and community. Collaborating with her has been one of the greatest joys of my career, and she challenges me to think bigger, care deeper, and stay true to what really matters. I am grateful every day for the way she shows up for her art, for her community, and for me.

Website: https://www.ragniagarwal.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ragni_agarwal_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ragniagarwal/