Samreen Feroz of BRUSHES

by Zainab Nasir
(Karachi)

Your city: Karachi

What makes you a woman of strength and determination?
As clichéd as it may sound, my mother was and always will be my driving force. I always saw her struggle and fight for the right. Her empathy was always her main weapon, as per my opinion. She conquers it all when it comes to making the right choice and supporting the right cause. She has inculcated in me a wave of liking for not only oneself but for the betterment of others .Through her I have and will always be focused and driven by empathy. The major desire to help or make someone else stronger and more valued helps me grow as an individual and is my key source of determination.

How did you get here and how long have you been in this profession (or been doing what you do)?
Professionally I am a biomedical engineer with a publication in neuroscience research. I was always interested in arts but never thought I would be good at it the least or be able to connect two very extrinsic worlds of art and science. I made my first painting in 2013, which related autism with oil painting and got me raving reviews from family and friends, than came paintings for families and acquaintances, I guess this made me more enthusiastic and made me continue painting.

What has been your vision and what do you most love about your work?
My paintings should make art lovers go into a trance, where they learn about persistency in observant art. Something awe inspiring. I love colors and get excited about how it has the neurological power to boost and bring forward different moods and emotions in a person


What do you think is your biggest achievement throughout your professional journey?
My first painting was a struggle for me. I was having a tornado of thoughts related with autistic kids how they were always misunderstood and how they had lack of platforms to express themselves. I wanted to file my thoughts, arrange them, which was the most challenging task for me, as even if I tried my level best I would not be able to justify it to the fullest. There are emotions, thoughts of a normal person and there are emotions, thoughts of a mentally challenged person. We do little for their expression and I would say my biggest achievement was merging neuroscience communication and the evolving of its expressions through paintings.

What are your current projects and what do you plan to do in the near future?
Future goals comprise of improving my form of art and involving young minds and individuals with neurological disorders to express themselves in the form of art.
A word of advice you would like to pass on to women professionals who wish to pursue a career path as you?
Perseverance and empathy are two factors that will always keep you a mile ahead and improve you with time. Avoid self-pity and negative powers which might temporarily break your motivation. Our society has been proven to be gender biased and have no regrets about it. Your duty as an individual is to break that thought, that barrier that confides you in the typical role of women in our society. Break the cage, spread your wings and fly.