Today we’d like to introduce you to Ammara Alvi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Pakistani born American Artist. I never received any formal education in Art as such. I am extremely proud to be a self-made artist.
All my life, I’ve possessed a passion for arts. I am fascinated by colors and even as a kid I used to sketch drawings and whenever I’d find a black and white picture, I would fill it up with colors. I am inspired by all the colors in nature. I look to nature as a piece of art and it always reminds me of John Ruskin’s saying that “Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.” I aspire to emulate nature in my art.
I got married in 2006 and moved to Chicago after that. I got busy with the responsibilities of being a wife and a while later as a mother. Though I found it hard to focus on my work during this period, I would still try my hand to paint a picture or two and that would help me feel connected to my work.
More than a decade later, in 2017, I started to take my talent seriously and decided to pursue a career as a full-time artist and started making Oil Paintings.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have faced many challenges treading on this unconventional path of being a Muslim Artist. There were moments when people would ignore me intentionally and would look through.
Though I loved to draw and color from the time I was a little child, I found it hard to find time to dedicate to the pursuit of my Artistic Talent. But with time, I learned to cope and managed to find time for all the important things in my life.
I felt very unwanted during those time, but I never let these hurdles halt my work in any way. My passion for Art kept me going and I have never let anything or anyone stop me from giving my 100% to it.
Creativity takes courage and I believe that one should never give up on their dreams or passions, no matter how much the world around you deters you from achieving them. If you keep working towards your goal, then there is no doubt in my mind that you shall get there one fine day.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
As I’ve said before, I neither have an art degree nor have I ever gone to art school. I am a self-taught artist who seeks inspiration from Nature and other works of art. In 2017,
I started taking my talent seriously and pursued my career as a full-time artist and started making Oil Paintings. My preferred medium of painting is Oil, but I also like with work with Acrylics and dabbled with Fluid Art too. I started sharing my painting on Social Media and the response I received has been overwhelming. I’ve always wanted to do something spectacular and I believe my talent as an artist gives me the chance to do that.
Most of my art is related to and inspired by nature. I am also drawn towards Abstract Art and Calligraphy. I have been exposed Calligraphy right from my childhood because Calligraphy is the most basic and fundamental aspect of Islamic Art.
Arabic language lends itself beautifully to Calligraphy and is highly regarded and I use that to express my innermost thoughts and feelings. I would say that my art encompasses all this, and I use it to give form to my emotions and sentiments as is showcased in my art endeavors.
What were you like growing up?
I come from a small town in Pakistan in Punjab province. My father was a farmer and I have 3 sisters and a brother. I used to be a Tom Boy and used to dress in boy’s clothes. Even I choose a boy’s name for myself too. This was dictated by the fact that I have seen the importance given men in our society, something that is not accorded to Women.
My father played a very important role in my life. He never discouraged or stopped me from doing anything that I wanted to pursue. I remember how he would wake me early in the morning and have me accompany him to the farm where I could practice riding my motorbike, which is considered a taboo thing to do in Pakistani culture for women. My father was my biggest support during those important years of my life.
All my life, I’ve possessed a passion for arts. I am fascinated by colors and even as a kid I used to sketch drawings and whenever I’d find a black and white picture, I would fill it up with colors. I am inspired by all the colors in nature. I look to nature as a piece of art and it always reminds me of John Ruskin’s saying that “Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.” I aspire to emulate nature in my art.
Contact Info:
- Email: ammara.alvi@yahoo.com
- Instagram: ammzalvi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ammlifetouch/
- Twitter: AmmaraZ8
- Other: alviammara4@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Ammara Alvi
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