“There is great meaning in life for those who are willing to journey.” -- Jim England

Where were we yesterday, where are we today, and where are we going?
Journeys are constant in our lives. One of the biggest journey we take is the journey within. “We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.” - said Anaïs Nin. It is said that you can also travel without leaving a physical place. Isn't that true for imagination? A flight into the depths of our mind. The legacy of journeys is new discoveries, some answers, but also finding more questions that enrich our souls.

After all, we all are seekers... and the reward lies in the journeys we take.

My painting is titled The Portal of Journeys, where a blue diamond symbolizes a guiding star, a beacon of light that illuminates the path of journeys. Each portal is a piece of our lives, a journey, a flight to known or unknown, one that we have chosen to enter.

The Portal of Journeys painting is from the Diamond Portal Series. In the the Diamond Portal Series, I explore the moments of human emotions as seen through the lens of the diamond as a storyteller. You are invited to enter portals where subtle references exist but the story is completed based on your life experiences and desires. I hope that each time you see the work, a new set of questions, solutions and possibilities emerge. The qualities of diamond act as metaphor and hold the stories together.

A few images of my work and how it was made...

The Portal of Journeys. 30"x30". ©Reena Ahluwalia — *The Portal of Journeys.* *30"x30". ©Reena Ahluwalia*

Detail: A blue diamond symbolizes a guiding star, a beacon of light that illuminates the path of journeys. [The Portal of Journeys. 30"x30". Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia] — *Detail: A blue diamond symbolizes a guiding star, a beacon of light that illuminates the path of journeys. [*The Portal of Journeys. 30"x30". Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia]

Check out Reena's Diamond Paintings

Detail: Each portal is a piece of our lives, a journey, a flight to known or unknown, one what we have chosen to enter. The legacy of journeys is new discoveries, some answers, but also finding more questions that enrich our souls. [The Portal of Jo… — Detail: Each portal is a piece of our lives, a journey, a flight to known or unknown, one what we have chosen to enter. The legacy of journeys is new discoveries, some answers, but also finding more questions that enrich our souls. [The Portal of Journeys. 30"x30". Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia]

*Detail: The Portal of Journeys. 30"x30". Acrylic on Canvas. ©Reena Ahluwalia*

Museo del Gioiello Acquires CIBJO Centenary Artworks by Visual Artist Reena Ahluwalia

Museo del Gioiello permanently accessions two landmark CIBJO Centenary artworks created by visual artist Reena Ahluwalia.

Reena Ahluwalia’s Winston Red Diamond Painting Accessioned Into Smithsonian

Visual Artist Reena Ahluwalia’s painting, “The Legacy of The Winston Red Diamond,” has been accessioned into the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. At a May 6 ceremony in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems, and Minerals, Dr. Gabriela Farfan, the Coralyn W. Whitney Curator of Gems and Minerals, accepted the painting. Making it the first contemporary painting ever accessioned into the National Gem Collection.

A Jeweled Legacy: Reena Ahluwalia Inducted into Hall of Fame

In a glittering celebration of excellence, the gem and jewelry industry bestowed its highest honor upon Reena Ahluwalia at the prestigious IIJS Signature 2025 Show. The Hall of Fame induction, considered the pinnacle of recognition in the jewelry and diamond industry, celebrates a lifetime of achievement and contribution. The Hall of Fame recognition was awarded by Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), India's Apex body supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Bejeweled Maharaja and Maharani Paintings of Royal Mysore

The Bejeweled Maharaja and Maharani Paintings of Royal Mysore by Reena Ahluwalia. My paintings act as a bridge between the past and the present, reminding us of the significance these gems hold in Indian culture. I have painted the Maharaja and Maharani as beings with diamond-clad bodies, wearing historically accurate jewels. A reminder that we too are the modern-day Maharajas (king) and Maharanis (queen) of our own lives, and can leave a lasting legacy, as enduring and luminous as the diamonds and gemstones that grace the Maharaja and Maharani. The Royal Mysore paintings are in the permanent collection of the CKC Crystal Museum, in Bengaluru, India.

The Legendary Koh-i-Noor Diamond

The Koh-i-Noor is a diamond of monumental stature. No other diamond in history can lay claim to be more widely traveled, famous and controversial, all at once. Today, the Koh-i-Noor remains one of the most coveted and enigmatic jewels in the world. A story so deep that it began billions of years ago as the diamond formed beneath earth and continues to this date, spanning 750 years of human history.

Reena Paints the Mouawad Miss Universe Power of Unity Crown

As an homage to humanity, Reena Ahluwalia has painted the Mouawad - Miss Universe ‘Power of Unity’ Crown. The painting celebrates women power, strength in unity, equality and diversity. It carries a powerful message - to unite in the cause of humanity. Because in unity, lies power. The diamond painting was commissioned by Mouawad Co-guardian Fred Mouawad.

Red Diamonds

Red diamonds are extremely rare. Basically they are very strongly and deeply colored pink diamonds, with the same cause of color, crystal distortion. Just how rare are some of these red diamonds, you might ask?

Reena Ahluwalia Blog