I first discovered henna in 2000 when I went to visit my sister who was living in Morocco as a member of the Peace Corps. While we were there, we went to dinner at her friend's family home, and my sister arranged for a henna artist to henna my mother and me. I was completely mesmerized by the intricate lines that were being applied to my hands, and riddled everyone with questions. I came home with 15 boxes of henna and a burning desire.
I have a Fine Arts degree in Art History from Ohio University, that I hadn’t been using, but when I found henna, it was like a light that turned on for me, it has all of the things that I love in an art form; a beautiful tradition, an ancient history, a presence in women’s lives, a one on one connection with my “canvas”, and an intricate beauty unlike any other. I was enthralled with the way that I felt with my hands hennaed-- beautiful, exotic, seductive.
As a certified Natural Henna artist, I mix my own natural paste with 100% henna powder, to which I add lemon juice, essential oils, and sugar as a binder. I never use “Black Henna” or PPD. All of my designs are done free hand with cones, I never use stencils or transfers.
-Deborah Brommer