SHOWCASE SATURDAYS #4! MEET VISUAL ARTIST TASKIN BUTT.

I’ve been painting since I can remember.

For Taskin, growing up in a place like Africa, a land full of colour, vast open landscapes and scenic coastal areas, has greatly contributed to her deep passion for art.

She is a Nairobi-based artist who derives her inspiration to draw and paint from everyday life, beauty, diversity and the grace of nature around her; particularly natural subjects that play with light; for example, flowers, trees, sky and water.

The effect of light on natural objects and changing colours as the day unfolds fascinates me. I truly feel that there is something beautiful in every piece of the natural world. I am inspired by nature, fascinated by what I see around me and aim to depict this through my work so those others too can experience the beauty that surrounds them’.
– Taskin Butt.

These experiences continue to add to her love for colours, nature and the world around her which serve as subjects and backgrounds to many of her compositions.

Taskin works mainly across oil medium. However, in the past, she has worked with acrylic, mixed media and pen/ink. Her artworks range from city landscapes and seascapes to striking semi-abstracts.

She also regularly applies impasto to her work as she believes it adds texture and depth and her technique involves occasionally using the palette knife. She conveys her ideas with textured and vibrant paintings that burst with energy and are a reflection of her joie de vivre ‘vivacious’ spirit and purity of expression.

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ArtLawKenya: Tell us a bit about your attitude towards art and learning art?

Taskin: I believe that there is always space for expression and through expression real moments are captured and memories are made. In fact, it was this very belief that birthed the creation of my art studio, Brush and Strokes Art Studio, which i started in 2013 when I came back home from the UK. It is based in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

As regards learning, I believe learning in art is a limitless journey with never ending possibilities and so I aim to continue growing in my artistic journey and hopefully making someone smile or be moved emotionally by my work.

A. Very cool! Tell us more about Brush and Strokes Art Studio…

T: Brush & Strokes Art Studio offers visitors the chance to make their living rooms stand out, turn that kitchen or living room into something spectacular or bring a breath of fresh air into that office space. Brush & Strokes Art Studio has something for everyone and for every purchase a customer gets 10 free greeting cards. From Brush & Strokes, you have the chance to buy original paintings at a good price!!Previous and current news and events in which the artworks of Brush & Strokes Art Studio Artist is featured on the website.

Brush & Strokes Art Studio offers to customers the opportunity to have their designs on merchandise too! I, for example, sells my own designs on calendars, bookmarks, notebooks and recently face masks. In Summary, there are 3 main product categories that make Brush & Strokes different: 1. Original Paintings (all viewable through the website) 2. Canvas Prints & Digital Art .3. Gifts- including & not limited to calendars, notebooks and masks.

A: Are you represented by any Art Agency by any chance?

T: Yes, I am currently represented by Xanadu Gallery, Arizona, U.S.A

A: What of exhibitions or projects; have you been involved in any?

T: Yes, after graduating, I participated in World Citizen Artists (WCA) Group and United Nations Environmental Art initiatives such as ‘Art for Environment Project’ showcasing paintings by artists representing environmental themes such as deforestation, water and plant conservation. I was also one of the award winners for WCA Peace Competition of 2016 and previous to that received training from an American based Fine Art Company – Artists Network F & W Media Inc. I also participated in the various exhibitions and fairs including SeeMe Gallery, Scope Art Fair Miami, Van Der plaas Gallery in New York, Swiss Art Expo, SAM France Who is Who in International Art Show amongst others.

Currently works of Taskin are amongst 40 + other African Artists that are part of the First Virtual Africa Covid Digital Art Exhibition, presented by Picha Images from June 23 to Nov 30 www.africacovidexhibition.com /https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/1530443/catalog# .

A: Nice! And what do you get up to when you’re not painting?

T: When I’m not couped up painting in my studio, I am connecting and meeting other artists. I’m continuously willing to partner and collaborate with other like-minded Artists and I even brought together a collective of seven Kenyan Artists for Brush and Strokes Art recent Art Exhibition dubbed ‘Art of Diversity’ which aimed to ignite the conversation on the need for biological, social & community diversity in current times. It is now in its second phase, and ‘Art of Diversity II’ released to the public digitally in March 2020 and is accessible via the online art exhibit platform – artsteps.com.

I also enjoy visiting new places. and i love decorating, swimming and reading.