About me, Faryal

I am a contemporary fine artist creating atmospheric landscapes and seascapes. For several years I worked in the world of fashion but when a colleague suddenly died it created a ripple effect in my life and I began to question my mortality and purpose. That’s when I decided to listen to my heart and follow my childhood dream of becoming an artist. I left my career in fashion in August 2007 and began painting in my newly formed studio, but it wasn’t for long. By December of that year I was struck by crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis and was no longer able to hold a brush, let alone paint. It took nine grueling months of treatment, medication, resting and patience before I was able to hold a paint brush again. This time I found myself painting in my studio with a new sense of gratitude not only for the gift but also the ability. I set myself a hard task. To paint a flower in great detail, detail that would require a strong, steady hand and a good grip. Not easy. But I accomplished it. From then on it has been a challenge and an amazing journey balancing my passion with the restrictions the disease imposes on me. It’s been frustrating, but I continue to push myself and constantly strive to create more exciting pieces of work.

After becoming a Muslim in 2002 I wanted to practice my love of art, but not in the typical Islamic Art style. Islamic art is generally mosaic art, created using tiles and placed in a methodical, mathematical pattern. But I choose to combine my love for painting and colour with images captured in my dreams and developed by my imagination. With music playing the image changes further as it gradually unfolds onto the canvas. I call these "Dreamscapes". I believe, painting a piece of original art is such a personal creative expression that comes from the heart. I like nothing more than building a picture in my mind and realizing it on canvas. Although I studied art to some level, like many artists I am mostly self-taught and what I paint is completely original. Coming from a Pakistani background, painting isn't an area someone like me would usually go into, but I believes my background inspires me even more to be the best I can be and to express myself in unique and different ways.