Learn.Travel.Paint.

ONE OF THE BEST aspects of our neighborhood is its diversity. People come to Mueller from many different places and backgrounds. I recently had the pleasure of getting to know one such incredibly dynamic neighbor—a British/ Indian artist with a PhD in biophysics— who now calls Austin home.

Malti B. Lee lights up a room with her radiant smile and infectious energy. An esteemed graduate of Cambridge University, she has always been passionate about art.

Throughout her childhood and high school years, her artistic talent was so apparent that many teachers encouraged her to pursue it at university. However, she was equally gifted in math and science and ultimately decided to follow that path instead. Still, she never lost her love of art—dabbling in it during study breaks and continuing to explore it whenever she could.

After earning her PhD, Lee went into management consulting. It was during this busy period that she realized her time for painting had nearly vanished. She visited art galleries whenever possible and was especially drawn to the work of British architectural artist Stephen Wiltshire, an autistic savant known for drawing detailed landscapes entirely from memory.

Yet her consulting career wasn’t without its rewards. She sharpened her people skills, developed her knack for making connections and met her future husband, Josh, at Boston Consulting Group. Although they worked in different offices (she in London and he in Dubai), they maintained a long-distance relationship across continents.

Since both traveled frequently for work, they would meet up in cities around Europe, combining romance with a shared love of exploration and world-class art galleries. Everything came to a halt when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and international borders closed. That pause made them realize it was time to make some big decisions about where to build a life together.

SETTLING LOCALLY

Josh decided to take a year off from the corporate world while Lee continued working. Together, they carefully shortlisted five cities around the world for the next chapter in their lives.

When Josh accepted a job in the San Francisco Bay area, Lee eventually left her corporate job and joined him in the U.S., originally intending to take just a year off. But during that break, she found her way back to painting, and that’s when her creative career truly began to blossom.

Over their two years in the Bay area, Lee’s artwork gained momentum and renown. Though she and her husband both enjoyed their time there, it never quite felt like home. They continued exploring potential cities across the U.S. and visited Austin in the height of summer.

Drawn to the city’s culture and energy, they made the move at the end of 2023, settling at last into the Mueller neighborhood. “We couldn’t be happier with the decision,” Lee says. “Both Austin and Mueller have very quickly become home. There’s a sense of openness and nonjudgment here, and it’s a place we can see ourselves in for the foreseeable future.”

The warmth and support of Austin’s creative community confirmed for her that this is a place where deep and lasting relationships can thrive.

ARTISTIC ACCLAIM

Lee’s love of travel and passion for architecture are reflected in her vibrant acrylic paintings. Drawing from her global background, she captures the essence of cities and places she’s experienced firsthand.

Her work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions across San Francisco, Northern California and now Texas. Her notable achievements are vast and include commissions for the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks and the City of San Ramon, California.

In Austin, Lee continues to rise in her artistic journey, recently being chosen as one of eight local artists for the inaugural Downtown Austin Space Authority (DASA) residency. She has upcoming solo shows at the Dougherty Arts Center in December 2025 and the Asian American Resource Center in summer 2026.

As a driven and talented emerging artist, she has already received awards from the Round Rock Arts Council (Texas), City of San Jose, San Ramon (California) Arts Council and ArtSpan in San Francisco.

A CAPTIVATING STYLE

Lee’s most recent collection, “Local Imprints,” features iconic buildings and scenes in Austin that evoke memories of London.

“These paintings bridge the gap between my new home and my old, illustrating how distant places can share surprising similarities,” she says. “This series reflects my personal journey of embracing Austin’s vibrant life. I incorporate vibrant Texas wildflowers into each scene—symbols of resilience and renewal that flourish across the city every spring.”

Lee’s artwork is both gentle and captivating, sparking a sense of curiosity and wonder. Her vibrant, multilayered paintings invite viewers to reflect on themes of place and connection. For example, a piece that particularly resonates with me as a longtime Austinite is Lee’s “Sense of Belonging,” featuring the Capitol building as the focal point, framed by the Austin skyline and a foreground bursting with colorful spring blooms, including the Texas state flower.

As you take time to explore her work, you’ll discover thoughtful details that reflect a rich tapestry of cultures and histories. Her distinctive style blends dreamy, vivid compositions with delicate line-drawn architectural silhouettes, brought to life through acrylic ink markers and layered with bold, oversized florals. The contrast in technique, scale and color mirrors the dynamic interplay found in urban landscapes.

Lee has a unique ability to translate her expansive visual journeys into a signature aesthetic, and Mueller is fortunate to be home to such a creative force. To learn more about Malti B. Lee’s artwork and upcoming events, visit maltiblee.com/links.

BY CARMEN GRAY