Brimming With Myriad Expressions Shyline D’Mello Frank is a self-trained painter who picked up the paintbrush one day on impulse and since then there was no stopping for this budding artist whose expressive brushstrokes say it all.

Tell us about your journey so far? Art is all about appreciating beauty and sometimes, you dabble in it. Painting has provided a new creative outlet and it’s a relatively new skill that I started only three years ago. I began with acrylics, just because it was the first medium I inadvertently picked up. As I did not want to limit myself, so I experimented with charcoal, oils, coloured pencils, and watercolour. I’ve worked on paper, wood panels, and canvas. I look forward to creating something almost every day even if it’s a small sketch or painting. It’s a great way to unwind and deeply satisfying to put colour onto a blank canvas. My subjects vary, I love nature so flowers, animals, birds, and landscapes form an integral part of my work. I’m also fascinated with faces especially the eyes so portraits are also usual subjects. I have also ventured in abstract but most of my work is predominantly realism. Not a copy but my interpretation of what I see and how as an individual I analyse and process it. I used to work a lot from reference photos but now I also try and replicate images from memory or practice from still life. I do have my preferred themes and mediums like any other artist but I try not to put any limitations on myself at this point as learning new methods is what keeps me motivated. I’m always amazed at how much support I have received throughout this process. Many members of family and friends now have my work hanging in their homes. How did you develop an interest in painting? I have always enjoyed picking up new skills, for me learning keeps life interesting. Growing up I tried everything that I was drawn to. When I moved to Oman for work I tried my hand (or rather legs) at ice skating, horse riding, diving, and singing with a band. These were all dreams of mine and I truly believe in living life to your full potential.