Meet Durraj Murtaza | Artist and creative writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Durraj Murtaza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Durraj, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
If you own a business, it comes with consequences. its never easy to start your own business if you don’t have a clear creative idea behind it. every business need a proper strategy behind it. you can start from nothing and still be successful if you have a proper understanding of business and what people are most interested in. if you understand these point you can start any business and get successful. although every business needs time to settle so be patient and trust the process. When I was free in high school I saw a lot of people loved my work. I got an idea about starting my own business and do customize painting and sketching for them and it turned out my best decision I ever made in life. So my message to all the people out there is, if you have an idea just do it. Life is all about taking a risk. It’s worth taking a risk.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s really hard to put it in words, My art is about feelings, expressions, emotions and desires. I think the sense of feel sets my art apart from others, the color gradient I use is warm tones and cold tones together. My paintings are always based on dark themes, the background colors I use are darker so it will enhance my painting remember, few words I’ll say about my painting is I paint will my whole heart and soul everything you see is how I feel inside.

I was 14 and it was my first time when I sketched a proper sketch and my mom said you’re exceptional you’re so talented, she proud of me and I’m proud to be her daughter. I’m really excited to show the world what I’m currently working on it will be my best work of all.

Nothing in life is easy but it depends how you untangled the things and trust yourself and believe in yourself. if you do that everything will be smooth and easy for you. when I struggled with challenges like negative comments and criticism. I just tell myself its all temporary it will goes away by the time. meanwhile I focused on my own. And ignore the negative comments I got. the best thing I learn along the way was, practice makes you perfect and everything is temporary nothing will stays forever so live the moment and feel yourself that’s the best thing any artist can do.

I was 8 when I started sketching I thought I would never do it. I failed in grade 1 my art exam that was the time I thought I could never be an artist but my family trusted in me and they motivated me to do what I wanna do in life. It’s like sometimes you need to failed just to learn how to cope and come back stronger. Now that I’m 20 and I sell my paintings I do customize portrait sketching and I can proudly say I DID IT.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I will take her to Sedona for sure because its my favorite place the mountains the view is just beautiful, and hiking in Sedona is my favorite thing to do, I will take her for hiking and show how beautiful the nature is, if she stays for a week I will take her to Fossil creek this place is hidden gem, best spot for swimming, then would probably take her to Ocotillo my favorite restaurant. Castles and coasters is my must go place best amusement park in phoenix I would differently take her there. OdySea aquarium, Heard museum, Japanese Friendship garden, Phoenix Art museum. these are my favorite places that I will take her for sure. 

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My biggest shoutout to my family who supported me and encourage me to be an Artist and show my skills to the world. Because sometimes you just give up and my siblings was there to hold me and tell me I’m something. So I cannot thank them enough. After that I would say my biggest motivation in life was Edward Hopper- an American artist. he’s my inspiration his work helped me understand myself and I think most of my work is inspired by him. the way he said the most exceptional things without saying. his lonely paintings tells how we all are lonely in the crowds, all surrounded with people but still lonely. I learned a lot from his painting. I struggled with detachment with my own self sometimes, its really hard for an artist to always understands oneself and feel good. because we’re combination of mixed emotions and feelings. But I think art is the only place where artist sets free. Without any limit without any boundaries just hold your brush and discover yourself. I never knew who I was until I started painting. The whole universe is in artist’s mind and their heart are bond with heaven and hell. the quote I love from Edward hopper is “the whole answer was there, on canvas”

Website: https://artbydurraj.patternbyetsy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbydurraj/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/durraj-murtaza-915968144/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/durrajm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Artbydurraj/

Other: https://yicca.org/en/view/collection/durraj-murtaza/durraj-art

Image Credits
Mary Magdalene- Hughes Merle (recreate) Self portrait of Vincent Van Gogh (recreate)