Rashida Osman

Salam folks! My name is Shazia and I'm the face behind Rashida Art. I paint Contemporary Islamic Art for the Modern Muslim home. My goal is to ignite a deeper awareness of our history, heritage and traditions. Each piece I paint is inspired by verses from the Quran or Ahadith.

Rashida Art began after a period of using art as a form of therapy. Following the bereavement of my younger sister, I struggled to make sense of all my emotions. There was a storm within me which threatened to destroy my faith. Alhamdulillah, one day I picked up my qalam, and paintbrush, and immersed myself into the world of Islamic Art. I haven't looked back since.



This led me to dig deeper, devouring all I could in terms of teaching myself the fundamentals behind creating a piece of art. I found that I could express myself visually, more than I ever could verbally.



The arab name Rashida means wise or guided, and this is the feeling that I wished to portray in each painting of mine. An ancient wisdom, and guidance from our creator Allah, form the inspiration to create art which can beautify homes, yet also add a sense of value, a deeper meaning, and instils love for the Divine.

I had the privilege of attending a tertiary Islamic university at 16, where I completed 2 years Of further Islamic study. These 2 years were the most valuable ones for me. It was also where I first developed a love for Arabic calligraphy.

I am currently undertaking formal training of Arabic Calligraphy in the Maghrebi Script.

Although I am not formally qualified as an artist, I spend a good few weeks researching and planning each painting. Art for me is a creative way of worship, each brushstroke accompanied by the Glorifying of Allah Almighty. I derive inspiration from traditional sources, incorporating patterns from the east within my work. I am very fascinated by the traditional basis of Islamic Art: Geometry, Illumination and Arabic Calligraphy, and I practise each of these fundamental art forms too.