Post by Art in the Middle Magazine

Sketching & yapping with illustrator @purplesoulart at one of our favourite lunch spots, @cassettedxb We chatted with Priya to find out about her way into illustration… “I’m a self-taught illustration artist with a background in Human Resources. In 2015, I discovered I could draw from imagination, translating ideas into form and colour on paper. I began building my portfolio soon after and have been working as an illustrator since 2016”. “My practice spans food illustration for cafés, custom wedding invitations, pet and portrait work”. You often sketch what you see in real time, what does observational sketching mean to you and which piece stays with you most? “I keep a visual journal of my life through sketchbooks, capturing what I observe in everyday moments”. “One of the most memorable pieces is a sketch of the Burj Al Arab, drawn while I was at the beach in Dubai. In that moment, I noticed the contrast between the city’s architectural landmark, a vivid sunset, and a line of ants carrying food just beside me”. “It became a single frame of coexistence, grand architecture, natural beauty, and the quiet world beneath our feet - all unfolding at once”. What’s one habit that quietly changed your practice over time? “I began a daily visual journaling practice in 2020, and one habit that truly shaped my work is consistent, daily drawing. It made me more spontaneous and expressive over time”. “I believe anything you draw becomes interesting - you don’t need to wait for “Instagrammable” locations to start. Sketching everyday objects, like a plant, a chair or a teapot, reveals the quiet beauty in ordinary things”. 📍 CASSETTE, The Courtyard Al Quoz Artist, @purplesoulart #artinthemiddle Artists in Dubai. Live illustrations. Illustrators in UAE.

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