“It’s been 10 years since I started painting. My uncle taught me; I come from a family of painters. I love painting old buildings. My childhood was spent in Lahore and then in Rawalpindi. I often go to the old part of the city and draw the old architecture, which buyers like. I personally like abstract painting, I feel like I can express myself better with it.

Your mood and emotions affect your painting and the colours you paint with. Sales are low these days. I haven’t sold a painting in 20 days. It’s hard to make a living as an artist because few people appreciate art. I sell paintings by the roadside as I can’t afford to rent a shop. But I feel it doesn’t matter if you have a fancy shop or if you sit on a footpath. I sit here every day hoping someone will stop and buy my paintings, because if you’re hardworking and resilient, and if your work is good, you’ll make it through the hard times.”

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2016