Hello, Jewelweed friends!
Nina Dani is a local artist and owner of Inner Bloom Aura Photography. From the first time Nina came to the shop for aura photo sessions, we knew she was a perfect fit for our Jewelweed community: her sessions are a lot of fun and spark many insightful conversations, in addition to bringing joy and self-reflection.
Hi! Where do we find you right now - how has your day unfolded so far?
Right now, it’s September - my birth month! It rained all morning, and now the sun is coming out. I’ve been busy working on last-minute projects for Renegade Craft, which is this weekend in Chicago. I just finished a hand-painted denim jacket I’m excited about. It’s the first of a new series I’m doing called Oracle Denim. I pick four oracle cards (from two different decks) and infuse the themes from the cards into the jacket as I’m painting.
Let's start at the beginning... What did you want to do or be as a child?
As a child, I wanted to become an interior decorator. I collected my Mom’s Pottery Barn catalogues and would draw what I loved, designing my dream home. My Grandma was an interior designer, and stepping into her home was always so inspiring: beautiful wallpaper, whimsical furniture, and the feeling of careful consideration where it was situated- I appreciated that even as a child. She had sun catchers hung in her front window that made the room fill with rainbows. I loved being in her space.
Do you see this childhood dream present in some shape or form today?
Yes, I can totally see my childhood dreams of becoming an interior decorator present in my life today. When I finish a painting, I can’t wait to see how it will light up a wall inside someone’s home. I believe that art adds so much to our interior spaces; it can really bring together a whole room and make a space feel complete.
What is the origin story of your business? How and why did you start?
I came to Minneapolis from southern Wisconsin to go to MCAD. I loved this city and felt at home from the moment I first visited. I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts in 2016 with an emphasis in painting and printmaking. In my studio practice today, I create abstract compositions filled with whimsical shapes and bright fields of color. My painting practice has always been about exploring color and shapes, diving into the unknown, and creating something that feels expressive and alive.
This past Spring, I got my AuraCam 6000. I had always been so intrigued by the idea of auras - the fact that we all have one floating around us, invisible to the naked eye. This energy is information; it’s telling us how we relate to others, what makes us tick, how in-tune we are with our spirituality, and what energetic state we’re currently in. To me, aura photography is a bridge between art and wellness.
Originally, my plan was to host intuitive painting workshops from my studio and take before-and-after aura pictures to see how being in a flow state and creating from a place of inner joy would impact our aura. While I still plan to do that workshop (soon!) I find myself popping up all over the Twin Cities doing mini aura readings for people who are curious about what their aura is saying. That’s how I found Jewelweed!
What are the foundational values of your work? What is really important to you?
For me, it’s really important to remind myself that it’s all for fun. This life of ours is beautiful, but dark sometimes. At points in my life, I dealt with crippling anxiety. Those mental struggles led me to my art practice. I felt like I could express myself and embrace my raw emotions through various media. Today, a big part of my practice is about embracing childlike joy. If you watch children create art, they don’t question whether it’s right or wrong; instead, they just create. They’re curious about the endless possibilities of their imagination, and they watch it all come to life. They have no rules; they make them up as they go along.
When people see my artwork or have an aura session with me, I want them to feel inspired, as if they’ve seen themselves in a new light, and be uplifted by the experience. I really would love for people to have a smile on their face after an encounter with my artwork or aura reading.
Another big theme for me and my brands is collaboration. I continually seek out people who are willing to try something new and exciting, whether it’s through creating a physical art piece or putting together events.
What is the story behind the name of your business?
My art practice name is Nina Dani, and my aura photography business name is Inner Bloom. The “Dani” in my name is short for my middle name, Danielle, which comes from my dad's name, Daniel.
My aura photographing name - Inner Bloom- came to me shortly after deciding I wanted to get into aura photography. I think it’s the perfect way to describe the aura-blooming colors that start from within. Flowers also undergo a metamorphosis, just like us. We all have periods of blooming and dormancy, and each of us has special expressions of what makes us truly unique.
What is your favorite aspect of your aura photography sessions, and why?
My favorite part of an aura photography session is watching the colors slowly come to life on the Polaroid film! It never gets old. I’ve seen SO many beautiful color combinations, and each time I get a little giddy as the colors come through. There are so many vibrant and interesting things that can come up, even some anomalies. The film is so prismatic and beautiful. I’ve always loved taking photos with Polaroid film, even before I had my AuraCam 6000. It feels like a piece of the past we can still hold onto in the present.
My other favorite aspect is getting the opportunity to connect with so many amazing people. When people are fully open to the experience, we can get really deep, really fast. Some people have cried tears of joy or release - myself included!
Where do you find nourishment? What practices bring you joy and inspiration?
What brings me the most nourishment is hot yoga. I find myself craving yoga to help keep me centered and happy. Also, finding time to enjoy being outside in nature helps me to ground and reset. In the warmer months, I love biking to the lake and swimming. I feel like the best version of myself when I get my nature time.
Also, my partner and I built out our camper van during the pandemic and lived in it for six months. We spent most of our time in Sedona, Joshua Tree, and the Tonto National Forest. We still take our camper van for a month-long road trip every winter. Last winter, we went to Big Sur for the first time, and it has since become my new favorite place. I had wanted to visit Big Sur since middle school, so it felt really special that we finally made it happen. There’s a mystical, magical energy in the air there. We can’t wait to return again soon.
Thank you so much, Nina, for taking the time to answer our questions. We can't wait for you to bring your playful magic to the shop again!