Women / passion and knowledge Painting

I am a self-taught artist. Growing up in Pakistan in the 1980s and 1990s, I had always been around self-taught artists. As a curious teenager, I’d sit with my father and close friend, both of who used art as a respite from life’s struggles - and an intensely private pastime. Perhaps that is why I’ve similarly used art as a respite, something which soothes. Unlike my father and friend, I’ve always known that my art communicated better than I do verbally – there are layers and meaning that I find easier to describe using color and shape. My name is Saleha Khanum. Fast track to 2018, I’m now not a teenager but an expatriate partner, my husband works in international development and since 2005, we’ve lived in the US, Tanzania, Pakistan and the UK. I’m a mother of three and living in the New York Borough of Queens. With a 3 year-old now about to start his journey into the big wide world , I am ready to commit my new-found time, energy and headspace to my art. In early 2018, I made a resolution to match my love of art with a desire to create a small business. I want to create a platform which allows me to showcase my work and sustain my ability to continue creating and sharing. I’ll likely always remain a learner, but I’m now keen to share my learning and journey with others. While travelling around the world, I’ve always looked forward to the destination however, for now at least, I am relishing this journey of self-discovery