About the Artists:
Shawn Sisson
Owner, Artist
Serving the Greater Washington,D.C. and Baltimore Areas
I became interested in mehndi when I joined a Middle Ages Living History group about 7 years ago. After playing around with my own designs, a friend of mine who'd lived in India applied my wedding mehndi. It was then that I realized I had much to learn, and started to really research and practice a variety of designs from a wide array of cultures.
My main interest lies in traditional mehndi designs, from Middle Ages to modern. I specialize in adapting Persian designs from tile work and rugs of the 9th-11th centuries, but enjoy doing designs from all cultures, as well as inventing new designs. I can easily work from a pattern of your choice, but my best designs are done freehand. These designs work with the contours of the body, as well as the personality of the individual, to create a unique and beautiful body art.
We work only in natural henna and mix all my paste myself using only the purest ingredients, including henna from around the world, fresh citrons and oils. Ingredient lists are always available for your review, and I encourage those interested in recieving a mehdi design to review the ingredients for possible allergies. Henna paste can be made to suit your needs and personal preferences regarding duration of design and any allergy or skin concerns.
WE DO NOT use black henna. All of our henna powder is 100% natural and does not contain any additional dyes or PPD. The resulting stain colors will range from chocolate browns to burgundies, reds and blackberries depending on the powder, your personal body chemistry and your care of the design.
When doing individual appointments, we do not normally wear ethnic garb. we are always happy, though, to add a bit of ambience to your special occasion or event with a variety of traditional garb from around the Middle East.
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