Devika is an artist and art therapist residing in the Oakland, California She received a Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy with a concentration in art therapy from Loyola Marymount University and is currently a school-based therapist working with adolescents at a middle school. She also runs a pop-up called everyday art club with creative coach, Rishikesh Tirumala. Devika was previously trained as a coach at a digital therapy startup, Joyable, and as a Group Facilitator for arts-based psychosocial support for survivors of trauma through First Aid Arts.
Her introduction to art began as doodles in the edges of notebooks during adolescence. Since then, her practice has transformed into the ongoing use of art journaling to make sense of the constantly humbling, grief-filled, and joyful experience of being human. She lives with the steadfast belief that creativity is a mindset and visual art-making is one medium of many to engage with the mysteries of life.
In addition to making art, Devika has a longstanding love for improvisational comedy. She began performing in 2008 at Cupertino High School under ComedySportz San Jose's High School League. Her improv journey continued with D1 Improv at Seattle University and then as a cast member at Un-Scripted Theater from 2016 - 2018 where she performed in the freeform late-night show, DASH, as well as the shows, Intimacy Issues and Swipe Right. Devika has performed at The Ohlone College High School Theatre Festival, The College Improv Tournament (CIT), The Northwest Convention of Intercollegiate Improv (NCII), and San Francisco's very own festivals, Femproviser Fest and SF Sketchfest.