Deepika Bhatt, a native of Hyderabad, India, who moved to Raleigh in 1993, left the stress of a genetics research career for the bliss of creating henna tattoos.

Henna, a green powder extracted from dried plants, is used for ritual skin painting in India and Middle Eastern countries. Bhatt learned the technique from three folk artists when she was a girl and has been creating the temporary body art since she was 7.

Bhatt's clients range from a teen who wants a small tattoo that takes a few minutes to apply to an Indian bride-to-be whose hands and feet are covered with intricate, traditional designs that take hours to create. Though the body art fades, lasting a few weeks, Bhatt is at peace with the ephemeral nature of her art.

The friendship and companionship that she shares with her customers "are more permanent than the fading lines of henna," Bhatt says.