Meenal Patel

Meenal Patel is an illustrator, writer, and designer who is inspired by childhood wonder, everyday moments that connect us, and how our senses can ignite memories. She has had big dreams since the age of four, declaring that she would be a butterfly when she grew up. This is also her earliest memory of making art: a book about her family and the butterfly that she would become.

Meenal’s work is rooted in reflections on the power of feeling seen, the journey to feel at home with all facets of ourselves, and the strength of community. She loves to mentally collect textures from nature, which she transforms into patterns throughout her art. Her background as a graphic and surface designer instilled an attention to detail, an affinity for unexpected color combinations, and a love of typography that flows into her work as an illustrator.

She is the author and illustrator of Priya Dreams of Marigolds & Masala (Beaver’s Pond Press, 2019), a celebration of the threads that connect us to our heritage, the power of sharing our traditions with others, and the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It received the 2020 South Asia Book Award.

Meenal has replanted herself in her home state of Minnesota, though part of her heart resides in California after spending many years in the Bay Area. When she’s not creating books, she loves making goods for her online shop, reading cookbooks, painting with her nieces, baking birthday cakes, and hiking amongst trees with her husband and sweet dog. She is still working on becoming a butterfly.

Download Meenal Patel’s Illustrator Showcase!

Visit her online at meenalpatelstudio.com or on Instagram @meenalpatelstudio