About

Chitra Mandanna is a multiple international award-winning quilter specializing in art quilts. Born into a family of artists, Chitra was exposed to art at a very young age. She was largely inspired by her mother who taught her the basics of fabric painting and sewing. At the age of five, Chitra started using the sewing machine to make dresses for her dolls. The passion to sew has continued ever since; from stitching dresses and upholstery to quilts and artwork. Add to this her intricate talent in drawing and painting and it becomes a potent combination. Her talent and abilities in all these forms of art have culminated in creating the masterpieces that are today being seen in her quilts.

Chitra has been creating quilts since 2007. It was mainly utilitarian appliqué and patchwork quilts. She got into making art quilts in 2014 and since then it has been one of her favourite forms of art.

Chitra is multifaceted and works with different media such as pencil & charcoal sketching, knife painting, oil painting, acrylic painting, pastels and watercolours, carving on stone, soap, fruit and  vegetables, carpentry and upcycled art. She has conducted a number of art exhibitions and takes up commissioned work. Her works are found with elite clientele. She conducts workshops and classes in various forms of art including quilts. Her quilts have been featured in many magazines globally.

Chitra truly does justice to her name, which means “picture” or “art” in many Indian Languages.

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Awards & Recognition

India International Quilt Festival 2019

  • The ‘Best of Show’ was awarded to her quilt titled ‘Inspiration’
  • In the Theme Category she won first place for her quilt titled ‘VIBGYOR’
  • “Dance of the Peacock’ was awarded the ‘Honorary mention’.
  • In the Art Quilts Category her quilt ‘Animal Whisperer’ was awarded the ‘Judge’s Choice’. The same quilt also won the ‘Viewers’ Choice’ award

The festival of Quilts 2020, Birmingham, UK.

  • Her quilt titled 'Anjalè' won the Judge’s Choice and Visitors’ Choice awards

The Knitting & Stitching Show, 2020 (Harrogate, UK), Self Portrait competition.

  • Her self portrait quilt titled ‘Right Brain Unleashed’ won the Visitors’ Choice award.

Dubai Quilt Festival 2020.

  • She won an award for her quilt 'Horse #6' in the pictorial quilts category

India International Quilt Festival 2021

  • She won the BEST OF SHOW award for her quilt titled ‘Bead Seller’
  • 1st place in the pictorial quilts category was awarded for her quilt titled ‘Anjale’
  • She won the 2nd place in the theme quilts category(Floral Rhapsody) for her quilt titled ‘Metal N Petal

Festival of Quilts 2021, Birmingham, UK.

  • Her Quilt “Bead Seller” won the Visitors’ Choice award

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What my students say about the class

"Chitra, I was fortunate to be part of your class. Your talent has triggered the talent out of us. It was amazing to see my first portrait look like a professional one. Looking forward for more classes with you."

Fadwa Mahmoud

"This was a very interesting and challenging class for me. I learned many new techniques. Chitra you are a great and encouraging teacher, always there to help at every step. Great class for a stunning outcome. Thank you very much. I was looking forward to this workshop for weeks, and it exceeded my expectations. Even though it was a virtual workshop during the pandemic I felt Chitra was always there to sort out each and every issue related to our portrait quilt. I learned a lot from the workshop."

Kanwal

"You are a wonderful teacher, a mentor. I loved learning the collage portrait from you. You make us feel so comfortable while learning and confident that we can do any difficult task without any obstacles. Will love to attend more classes in future."

Meeta Dadhich

"Chitra, you are an amazing teacher. I was fortunate enough to do the warrior workshop under you. I was totally new to FMQ and stippling but you made me feel very comfortable and helped learn it with great ease giving me lot of confidence. I also thoroughly enjoyed our sun printing class with you, which eventually turned out as an extraordinary piece of art. Thanks so much Chitra. Looking forward to learning more skills from you."

Geetha Venkateswaran

I accidentally stumbled across Chitra’s portrait while browsing the internet. The moment I saw it I wanted to make one and specially planned a trip to Chennai from Australia downunder to do her workshop. Chitra is a wonderful teacher and I completed “Rana” with ease. Then I ventured into making the “Maha Periyava” portrait. With Bishakha’s help in creating the template and her and Chitra’s expert guidance I completed the portrait. Thank you Chitra.

Uma Muthuswamy

The best ever teacher who can teach from A to Z. She is so patient, and her classes cover a lot of information. She is the best ever who can teach you how to do portrait in such a simple way. Never forget, I love you too much, Chitra.

Shadha

Dear Chitra, your classes are really amazing and I cannot describe it in words. Very clear and your patience makes the student want to have more classes with you. Looking forward to join more classes with you in future in person.

Najaat um shihab, Oman

The ease in which Chitra taught us over ZOOM, to create portraits is mind-blowing. As I am not an artist or a painter, I was clueless how I could get the eyes and lips in a portrait. Chitra taught us the tips in a detailed, less complex manner. Glad that I attended Chitra’s online session and the confidence I gained has helped me to make 5 more portraits in the last 1 year!!! Thank you Chitra.

Meera Venkitaraman

This is my first portrait quilt and I am very happy to have joined Chitra's portrait quilt workshop I am so happy to have completed my second portrait quilt ‘Anushka’ with Chitra's assistance. I enjoyed the making of my third portrait quilt "Happy Kids". Thanks to Chitra for the final touches.

Sivakami Palaniappan

I have taken some of Chitra's classes and have thoroughly enjoyed them. While the projects are complex and intricate, Chitra, with her patience and calmness, ensures we learn everything and enjoy the whole process. She is very generous in imparting her knowledge. I signed up for a quilting workshop and got insights on art fundamentals as well! A huge thanks to you, Chitra, and looking forward to more learning sessions!

Deepa Vasudevan

The first time I saw a portrait quilt was at the India International Quilt Festival, 2019. One of them was of a little child talking to a cow. That was the most beautiful quilt I had ever seen. It was Chitra’s and the little child was her younger daughter. I too wanted to learn this technique from her. She generously taught us how to make portrait quilts. I made two portrait quilts after that during the 2020 lockdown. One was of my mother and her youngest great grandchild and another of my niece and her son. Chitra is one of the best teachers one could ever have! She's inspiring, patient, and willing to share her knowledge.

Archana Bhargava

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