My current favorite book is Botany for the Artist by Sarah Simblet. It’s very interesting and has some excellent illustrations.....
COVER STORY
Tell us about yourself (education, interests, etc.)
Well, I’m a freelance artist, designer, illustrator, and plant enthusiast. I have a Bachelor’s (Hons) degree in Fashion Design from LCCA London.
My interests include nature, art forms that require skill-based precision, and early Islamic motif work. All of these inspire me daily, and I’m constantly researching them as I work on new projects.
How and when did you first become interested in art?
I’ve been interested in art since I was very young, and my biggest source of inspiration is my father. He’s the first artist I knew, and he encouraged me to take up art as well. Since then, I haven’t looked back, and have made this into my profession.
Describe your art and style for our readers.
I like to tackle a variety of subjects in my artwork, and a lot of it is satire and commentary on various issues that people deal with - within society and within themselves. A lot of it is inspired by nature as well, and I try my best to incorporate that into my art. I follow the philosophy of “show not tell” because I want people to come up with their own interpretations; because, that’s what art is, in my opinion.
Tell us about the inspiration behind your work and what your creative process is like.
Most of my work is primarily inspired by nature, and I use that as a starting point. From there on, I usually like to tackle mental issues people face on a daily basis, but it isn’t limited to just that. My creative process involves a lot of learning, observation and eventually, I’ll find something that resonates enough for me to create something around it.
You are good at a lot of different art forms - illustration, painting, embroidery, creative photography, etc. Usually, students are advised to focus on one thing. How do you manage?
I think it’s more of a survival thing than anything else. Artists should polish their skills, for sure, but they should always try different artforms. Oftentimes we stick to one thing and restrict ourselves. This can cause a variety of problems, like being dependent on a specific skill, which can become even more difficult to manage when a person is going through an art block.
Most artforms I tackle are interlinked, and that makes the process of learning other forms fun.
Talk about some of your current series on Instagram, especially the “beautiful head” series – my absolute favourite!
Thank you for that, I really like it too. This is a series that I won’t stop making, and my intention with it is to portray insects, and animals with plants, in a classy way. These handcrafted masks are to show my love for insects, that people usually find repulsive. I want to show how these have personality, charm, and importance.
How did you eventually become interested in playing around with plants and photography?
I started with just six plants, and started taking care of them. It was a fairly hard task in the start, but at the same time, caring for something living was therapeutic for me. It strengthened my bond with nature and taught me patience. My intention with this page was to share my experience with everyone else, and show them how a healthy self-sustaining life is something we should all strive for.
You also study illustrations books! Can you share with us some of your favourite books?
My current favorite book is Botany for the Artist by Sarah Simblet. It’s very interesting and has some excellent illustrations of some very rare plants as well. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in studying plants for detailed illustrations.
Talk about your current body of work. What is it about and what do you hope viewers take away from viewing your art?
My current artwork revolves around nature and the effects it has on us. I try to create these unique artworks that are visually appealing, but at the same time, weird and vivid enough for people to be interested. I want people to think beyond the boring stuff people associate with nature. I try to highlight insects including bees, and birds that are responsible for keeping a healthy ecosystem alive. It’s all intentional, and I want these exaggerated pieces to reflect the small things people miss out on.
When did you start your Instagram accounts? What has been your experience growing your profile and connecting with your audience through art?
I initially started with my primary art account back in 2016, and I started my plant page, Poday Wali, last year, with my other Embroidery page. I try not to focus on mainstream art, and it’s been a bit hard to connect with a bigger audience; however, the fans I do have are very supportive and I feel like there’s been a positive influence on them. They share their plant-related purchases and frequently ask me questions that I’m always happy to answer.
It’s become a very positive educational community, where we communicate with each other, and share and ask all sorts of things related to nature.
Being part of an online community as an artist is exciting, but it’s also challenging at the same time. What problems do you face and how do you overcome them?
There are a few issues that come with managing a page like this, and a good way to deal with it is to manage your expectations. I try my best to treat my art page as a journal and want people to see my work grow. It’s for me primarily, but I don’t mind people joining along the way.
There are times when I feel that it can get a bit toxic, so it’s always nice to take breaks and detox yourself. If there’s someone bothering you online, and you don’t think it’s good for your mental health, just block them. Your mental health should be a priority, not just in real life, but online as well.
Do you have certain habits or routines that you follow to keep yourself motivated as an artist? How do you overcome creative blocks?
I think art blocks are fairly natural, and we shouldn’t try to fight them. It’s a reminder to take a step back, and spend time learning and trying out new things. When you come out from an art block, you’re usually motivated and energized.
Do you have any other exciting projects coming up?
Yes, I have a few videos coming up that are educational in nature. These are beginner-friendly and related to gardening. I’m sure people will appreciate them, especially if they are new to gardening in general.
Describe your current studio space. What is important to have in it and how often do you dedicate time to it?
For now, my current art station is more or less pretty cluttered and cozy. I’m not really a fan of minimalism and usually have everything accessible. I also have a window that receives plenty of sunlight for me to keep indoor plants there. I have a water plant propagation section in my studio where I enjoy watching the plant cuttings grow roots. My studio also includes a storage unit for the seeds that I harvest throughout the year from my terrace garden. I also like collecting exoskeletons of insects and feathers I can find in my garden. My studio is like my happy space filled with all of my interests.
Name a few artists whose work has had an impact on you.
I’m a big fan of the Chinese blogger Li Ziqi, and think her work is fantastic. I follow a lot of science and agricultural pages to keep myself informed.
Any advice for aspiring artists?
I think the Internet and social media are great tools to promote and share your work, but you need to keep your mental health in check. You should have clarity about why exactly you’re using these tools, and be confident in your work. You shouldn’t worry about likes or followers because these don’t define your worth; you should remain true to yourself. Again, you should detoxify yourself from time to time, and utilize art blocks efficiently.
