Paint markers, gold leaf and a qalam
Rather than keeping calligraphy separate from fine art, Nazmin brings the two together on large canvases, using acrylic paints, textured paint markers, fine brushes and, at times, gold leaf.
“For very precise details, I really like acrylic markers because I can create crisp lines over textured backgrounds,” she said. “But now I’m also experimenting with traditional calligraphy tools like the qalam and ink, because I want to understand the traditional side of calligraphy as well.”
The hardest part, she says, is consistency.
“Even a small difference in the pressure, angle or spacing can change the way a letter looks. When I’m working on a painting, I can be more expressive and spontaneous, but calligraphy needs much more control and patience. I’m still training my hand to become more precise.”
Words that bring peace
Among the phrases she returns to most are “Alhamdulillah” (all praise is due to God) and “Wasbir ‘ala ma asabak” (and be patient over what befalls you).
“The meanings themselves give me a feeling of peace,” she said.
She is now working on the Asmaul Husna, the 99 names of Allah, a project she wants to see through. “For me, calligraphy isn’t only about making beautiful letters. When I’m writing, I feel very peaceful and completely focused.”
A tribute to Sheikh Zayed, live
The book fair, held at Adnec Centre Abu Dhabi from September 13 to 18, gave her a stage. The opportunity came through the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund team. When Azhar Ma’am told her about it, she knew right away what she wanted to make.
“The first thing that came into my mind was doing a live calligraphy artwork as a tribute to Sheikh Zayed, the Father of the UAE,” she said.
She built his portrait out of Arabic calligraphy, set the UAE’s colours around it and continued the lettering across the background in gold.
“I had done live paintings before, but this was my first time doing live calligraphy, so yes, I was a little nervous at the beginning. But once I started writing, I became completely focused on the artwork,” she said. “Standing beside the finished artwork with the UAE flag was a very special feeling of pride for me.”
School still comes first
A student at Cosmopolitan International Indian Private School in Ajman, Nazmin practises during free evenings and on weekends, with no fixed weekly target.
For her mother, Sumayya Ashraf, the signs that art was more than a hobby appeared early.
“She is actually a quiet child, but when the conversation turns to art, she becomes completely different. Her eyes light up and she can talk endlessly about an idea, a painting or a place she wants to paint,” she said.
“I remember her painting Turkey because she wanted to visit there. After finishing it, she told me that she felt as if she had already been there. Those little moments showed me that art isn’t just something she does. It is one of the ways she experiences the world.”
The family is careful not to turn that into pressure.
“We don’t force her to study art, and we don’t force her to paint. We want her to have the freedom to explore, experiment and find her own space without unnecessary stress,” added her father Rasheed. “What matters to us is nurturing her confidence in her own ideas and supporting her step by step.”
Eight paintings, eight species
Her main focus now is Voices of Silent Nature, an eight-painting series with the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, inspired by UAE species and their conservation stories.
“I want each painting to tell the story of a species and help people notice and care about the nature around us,” she said. She is also continuing art classes at home with her mother, entering competitions and preparing for upcoming exhibitions.
I’m a passionate journalist and creative writer graduate specialising in arts, culture, and storytelling. My work aims to engage readers with stories that inspire, inform, and celebrate the richness of human experience. From arts and entertainment to technology, lifestyle, and human interest features, I aim to bring a fresh perspective and thoughtful voice to every story I tell.