For as long as I can remember, I have been irresistibly drawn to the boundless tapestry that is the natural world. Be it the intricate veins of a leaf, the surreal colors of a sunset, or the ceaseless ebb and flow of ocean tides-each element speaks to a grand design, an unfathomable complexity that reveals itself in the simplest of forms. My art serves as a humble dialogue with this beauty, and my recent exploration of Dutch Pour painting comes as a thrilling chapter in this lifelong conversation.

Working in various media-oil, acrylic, watercolor -I have always sought to capture not just the form, but the essence of my subject matter. However, the Dutch Pour technique has rekindled my relationship with unpredictability, as I channel the uncontrollable elements of air and liquid to move pigments across the canvas. It's a deeply meditative process; I surrender my preconceptions and allow the materials to interact, often leading to results that surprise and mesmerize me. This fluid approach mimics the inherent dynamism of nature, its perennial state of flux, and the startling yet harmonious juxtapositions it creates.

The color palettes I choose are heavily influenced by my forays into the natural world. Just as one might find an unexpected shock of purple within a sea of green leaves, my work frequently incorporates hues that catch the eye and prompt a closer examination. My goal is to prompt a moment of pause, an instant of recognition that, in the rush of our busy lives, is often relegated to the periphery of our consciousness. I want my viewers to re-experience the exhilaration of seeing a rainbow after a storm or the tranquility that accompanies a forest blanketed in fresh snow.

To me, the act of creation is also an act of preservation. In capturing the ephemeral beauty of a landscape or a moment, I hope to create an enduring call to protect these irreplaceable wonders. As human activity encroaches upon natural habitats, art serves not only as a tribute but as a stark reminder of what we stand to lose. Through my work, I aim to catalyze a deeper respect for, and understanding of, the organic world around us, urging each of us to be stewards in our own right.

In this pivotal period of my artistic journey, I invite you to join me in experiencing the splendor and fragility of nature through the lens of multidisciplinary art and the evocative medium of Dutch Pour painting. Together, let's ponder, celebrate, and ultimately conserve the sublime beauty that has generously inspired artists across the ages and continues to enchant us all.

Amera Rashid

Amera Rashid’s artistic journey began in the quiet corners of her childhood, where, even at the tender age of ten, her hands danced with color and creation. Nurturing this early passion, Amera pursued a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Textile Designing from the University of Peshawar. As the joys and responsibilities of family life unfolded, becoming a devoted housewife and mother of two, her art found its place in the interludes of her life through sporadic bursts of fabric painting.

It wasn't until the world paused in the throes of Covid-19 that Amera found herself with a renewed expanse of time to rekindle her long-standing affair with the canvas. In this unexpected solitude, her creativity flourished; her home blossomed into a studio of watercolors, oils, and acrylics. Diving into the realms of experimentation, Amera emerged as a pioneering artist in Pakistan with her mastery of the Dutch Pour technique, bringing about a solo exhibition in Lahore in October 2023 that garnered accolades and admiration.

Amera's contribution to the art world continued to expand as she graced the Daachi Arts and Crafts Exhibition in Lahore with her presence in March 2024. Her life is a tapestry of roles — a beloved wife, a nurturing mother, and a grandmother to two delightful grandsons — each strand woven with the same dedication and love that she brings to her art. Amera Rashid stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity that flows unfettered, regardless of the passage of time or the roles one fulfills.