What was your journey to becoming a full-time artist?
I was a GP for 10 years, but I’d always loved art since being a child. There was always this voice in the back of my head telling me I should’ve gone down the art route and pursued a creative career.
Then the pandemic happened. When 2020 came along, it became a big time of reflection for many people, myself included. I had already started to feel increasingly disillusioned with being a doctor, and the pandemic forced me to stop and think: Is this what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?
During that time, I began a lot of self-development. I started meditating, journaling and painting, initially as a way to reconnect with my inner child and bring some playful joy back into my life – something I hadn’t realised had been missing for a long time.
Painting started as something fun and I began following YouTube tutorials. I started with realistic painting, which I loved because it rekindled my passion for art. But then I came across abstract paintings and something about them really connected with me. It felt like a voice was saying, This is what you need to be doing.
At Sheffield’s Art in the Gardens event, I saw some abstract paintings and spoke to the artists, asking if they offered workshops. They didn’t but I kept searching and eventually found an online six-week abstract painting course. It was expensive and I hesitated, but I went for it – and that was the turning point. I completely fell in love with the process.
Not long after, I saw a local art competition at Fronteer Gallery and debated whether to enter. I didn’t think I’d get in but told myself, You won’t know unless you try. To my surprise, I not only got in but also won the People’s Choice Award at my first-ever art competition. A few months later, I won another competition. A year after attending Art in the Gardens, I entered the abstract category and won.
I thought, This is a sign from the universe. That’s how it all began. As my confidence grew, people started asking if my paintings were for sale. I began selling my work, secured a studio at Bloc Projects and now balance being an artist with my work as a transformational life coach.
On moving towards abstract art, what was it that particularly interested you about that?
As I started painting more and exploring abstract art as a way of expressing myself, I found this real freedom with it. There’s no right or wrong way to make abstract art, no rules or restrictions.
The thing I love about it is creating something that’s never been seen before or captured by a camera. It’s not a portrait or a copy of anything. That’s what excites me – you’re creating something from nothing and the possibilities are endless.
When I’m painting, I try to go into a bit of a trance. It’s kind of like a meditation for me, lowering all the noise and tapping into my subconscious. I let something flow onto the canvas in an intuitive way, without overthinking it. Often, it feels like the painting is talking to me. I know that sounds strange, but it’s like a conversation – I feel guided by the work and trust my gut instincts about colour and placement.
What sort of themes tend to come out or be explored in your work?
Because my work is unplanned and intuitive, it’s not inspired by specific themes in the way some artists consciously represent their influences. However, what I’ve noticed is that people often say my paintings resemble outer space – nebulas, galaxies or sometimes clouds.
I’ve realised those are things that fill me with awe. I love looking at James Webb telescope images and gazing at clouds. That sense of awe is what inspires my paintings.
When I’m painting, it’s a time for me to disconnect. I think I’m often processing emotions without realising it, which makes it a very cathartic process. My hope is that when people look at my work, it gives them a chance to stop, pause and be present.
Do you have any rituals or routines when creating?
Through mindset work and life coaching, I’ve realised how important it is to approach painting with the right energy. Before I start, I do some breathwork or a bit of meditation – to forget about the to-do list that’s constantly running in my mind!
I also do affirmations. I tell myself I’m going to connect powerfully with the canvas, that the work I create has value, and I take the pressure off by reminding myself I’m just playing and having fun. Even with commissions, I go through this process to avoid feeling restricted. It might just be painting, but it’s still easy to let negative energy creep in. I try to uplift myself as much as possible before I begin.
How does life coaching intertwine with your work? How do you see your life coaching informing or inspiring your work?
I think my own journey has been key. Transforming my life and moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset hasn’t been easy. That experience helps me relate to my clients on a personal level.
Life coaching also allows me to highlight how powerful creativity is. Even people who don’t see themselves as creative can find ways to express themselves – gardening, dancing or singing can be creative. Creativity doesn’t have to be painting or writing. Neuroscience backs up how important creativity is for our well-being, and I try to help people harness that.
With your previous job, there were very tangible markers of success. What does success look like to you now as an artist?
As a doctor, there was a clear path – you get a degree, complete your training and you’re a doctor. For me, there was initially this question of, When do I become an artist?
I thought about doing a master’s in fine art and might still do that one day, but I realised I don’t need it to be an artist. Success now is about freedom – giving myself the permission to paint and not feeling like I have to follow a set path.
If people connect with my work, whether it’s at an exhibition or in their homes, that’s success for me. It’s about creating something that resonates and makes a positive impact.
What have you got coming up?
There’s an exhibition starting on the 26th at Nether Edge in The Old Chapel Gallery with myself and a couple of other artists. I also have a piece in the Fronteer Open, the competition where I previously won the People’s Choice Award. Finally, there’s another exhibition coming up, so it’s a really busy month!
Based on your own experience, what guidance would you offer to anyone thinking about taking the leap into a career in the arts?
I could say so much! The first thing I’d say is to listen to your thoughts and be aware of that little voice that might have been nudging you to do something creative. Don’t ignore that voice. At the same time, acknowledge your inner critic – we all have that inner critic saying, Oh no, you can’t. There’s no way you’re going to make this into a career.
What I’d say to that is don’t put pressure on yourself. Start by doing it as a way to have fun and enjoy yourself. Do it just for you. You don’t have to show anyone at first, but over time, as your confidence builds, you can start to approach people and share your work.
It all starts with the mindset – believing that your art is valuable and meaningful. That belief will give you the foundation to grow as an artist.
@ranaa.farooq.art
