Rising Stars: Meet Durraj Murtaza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Durraj Murtaza.

Hi Durraj, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My name is Durraj Murtaza and I am from Karachi, Pakistan. I am 19 years old and I recently came to the United States to visit and learn more about the art culture here. I have attended many art festivals and galleries and I look forward to being a part of those in the future. Never thought a girl who failed her 1st-grade art exam can ever draw like this. It all started when I was 8. I used to play with coal pieces and used to draw with them.

Then my family noticed my interest so they bought me some charcoal pencils and graphite pencils. So, from there I started my art journey. I used my imagination in the drawing. I wasn’t a colorful person so mainly drew dark sketches and pictures. After years of self-taught and practice, I started shifting my focus toward oil paints and portraits.

The most fascinating thing about making portraits is that I can memorize faces and their expressions. I try to make it as realistic as possible I will never forget my first client order. I was 14 years old. Since then I realized that I can convert this talent and gift into income. Although it wasn’t easy as they say, hard work pays off.

So after a few years of building my portfolio and adding new clients to my bucket, I was able to get recognition within the local artist community. I always saw the world from a different view and always noticed minor details that no one could ever see. After my high school graduation, I started college to pursue fine arts. After a year and a half of studies, I decided to take a break and currently I am residing in Phoenix, Arizona.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Just like any profession, there are some struggles. Being an artist also has its ups and downs. Sometimes there is a lack of focus, sometimes an art block that can get you stuck for days or sometimes for months and you just feel that your art is just not good enough. When I started art it was all fun but as time passed and I created more pieces of art. I had struggled to focus. Art needs patience and it takes time if you want the best results. Art is all about feelings and emotions from many different experiences.

Over time I have learned to be calmer when it comes to overcoming some of these struggles. Artists are the most sensitive people, they feel everything on a different level which makes them different from others. One thing I would like to say is never stop believing in yourself and always give your best because struggles and hard work always pay off.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I have 8 oil paintings on canvas and some sketches on paper. Since this kind of art requires a lot of time and attention to detail, it takes a lot longer to make some of these masterpieces. I am currently working on 2 more and hope to have them completed by March 2023.

The majority of my experience is in oil paints but I specialize in portraits. In my circle of artists, I’m known for focused art, the expressiveness of my art, the variety of shades I used in sketches, and the smooth edges. In painting organized strokes, managed layer-to-layer details, realistic approach, earthly tones, and color palette.

My most favorite art piece is “who am I” in that picture I try to portray my personality through it. It was mixed with the medium sketch with charcoal, dry pastels, colored pencils, graphite, and some white gel pen. In that sketch, I make myself a unicorn who is trying to be free. With the inner chaos and war, she is stuck.

There are two sides which I showed in the sketch chaos and peace. It was my first mixed medium sketch. That sketch is close to my heart and used my imagination on it to tell my story. It was a self-portrait and my story that is the reason why it is my favorite I am proud of it because I never thought I would be able to produce something like that. I’m passionate about art. I live and breathe it!

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Life is all about risk-taking. If you feel like doing it. So, just do it. I took a major risk by taking a break from college and decided to discover new things in the world. I love exploring and learning about new things. I love to go beyond my limits and explore and I am excited to have spent time here in the US and explore further.

Pricing:

• $100 for 16×18
• $250 for 18×24

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Artbydurraj
• Facebook: @Artbydurraj
• Linkedin: @Durraj murtaza

Image Credits
“Mary Magdalene in caves” by Hugues Merle, 1868