Today we’d like to introduce you to Nehan Shujaat.
Hi Nehan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Nehan Ali Shujaat, and I am an American-raised first-generation Pakistani. My story goes back to my earliest memories as a child where I practiced drawing before I played with toys or dolls. Growing up I found myself in the stationery aisles and skipping over toy sections because of my love for pen and paper. Little did I know my love for this would lead to a passion for art and writing in the future.
While in grade school I had teachers encourage my mom to place me in professional art classes because all they ever saw me do was doodle and enjoy painting. My mom took their advice seriously and made the effort to enroll me with the best art instructor she could find. This led me to working with Mz. B, an art teacher, at the local Hobby Lobby who eventually became a wonderful mentor and friend. Mz. B over a span of 12 years helped me grow my skills in drawing, watercolor, and oil painting. Through her, my brother Taha (who is also an artist), and my parents’ encouragement, I frequently competed in art competitions from elementary to high school. Eventually, at the age of 17, I won a congressional award, representing my district from Texas in Washington D.C. This moment helped me realize I truly was an artist. I began painting more professionally and did commissions. Eventually I developed my style of painting, which was colorful, impressionistic, and full of great detail. I started incorporating my art with stories, often painting what I imagined characters looked like in classic books and also telling stories through my paintings.
I discovered my love for writing in middle school where I was always found to be carrying a diary. Inside it one would find scribbles and ideas of potential storylines, song lyrics, and poetry. Eventually realizing I had a hunger for literature and poetry, I started competing in UIL for poetry interpretation representing my high school. I would travel to invitationals and official competitions with my school where I would eventually place. My English teachers helped encourage my writing and performing. In college, while I pursued a degree in Nursing, I also continued down the creative path and competed in spoken word competitions representing UT Arlington at Showdown. Showdown was a series of competitions where MSAs (Muslim Student Associations) from Texas gather and represent their university. I placed there for 2 years in written poetry and realized my passion was far greater than only competing. Another significant part of my journey with writing was tutoring at the writing center in my university.
Eventually I realized I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences with the world. In 2019 I independently published my first collection of poetry and illustrations, called “Here’s the Chai”. To this day I have continued to write and even perform at local open mics (in coffee shops, speakeasys, and online) to bring light upon political situations, Islam, spirituality, experiences as a nurse, my South Asian culture, and the general struggles or appreciation of life. I continue to paint and tell the story of life with my paintbrush as well and always hope that my paintings find a good home.
I like to say I come from a long line of people who are extremely passionate, and I know this partly because of my understanding with my family. We love creativity, there is not a shortage of artists and writers where I come from. I am even named after a word in a poem. While being raised in the US and frequenting Pakistan when I had the chance, I was luckily able to grow up in many different cultures and I think that’s where I get my love for poetry and art. While we speak different languages, I know that in poetry and art we speak the same one – the hearts.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
When it comes to creative processes, it’s very easy for me to experience imposter syndrome. I always struggled with confidence in my work, and I was always concerned about pleasing others with my writing and art. For example, I was at a point where I tried too hard to understand if the reader would understand the symbolism in my writing. This took the focus of my experience out of it, and I eventually stopped finding peace in writing. When it came to art, I was at times focused on commissions and competitions rather than what truly brought me joy in painting. For a while, with both painting and writing, I was focused on the world’s perception of it rather than my own. It only further pushed me into feeling like an imposter, and I was losing the authenticity in both, which is what originally made my work so powerful. I realized this when I self-published and stopped accepting commissions. I decided to create on my own terms, and it was open to anyone who wanted to have any takeaway from it. I still sell paintings but I am very selective with commissions. I still sell my work, but now people are getting the real me and not a washed down version of what I think the world wants. While this remains a challenge, I am better at recognizing it now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My paintings typically include depictions of my religion and culture. I have made paintings of Asian brides and love to paint the details and intricacy of the jewelry and clothing. I love portraits and faces, but I am recently enjoying still life pieces too. I’ve tried to focus on an impressionistic version of pop art as well.
When it comes to my book “Here’s the Chai”, I like to describe it as a coming-of-age collection. It includes culture, religion, heartache, doubt, and overall growth. I wrote most of the poems while doing my Bachelor’s in Nursing, and it helped me cope with the stress of college and clinical life. This book truly holds some of the core ideas of who I am.
My work includes my paintings which are on my website and Instagram page, and my book called “Here’s the Chai” on Amazon.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
What defines success to me is finding peace in what one does. If I can’t sleep at night because my work is not giving me peace, then I know I have failed. When it comes to finding peace in success, I start off by showing gratitude to those who brought me where I am right now. I might not be where I imagine myself, but I have more opportunities now than I did years ago to fulfill my passions. For this I am grateful to Allah, my husband, parents, brother, all of my family honestly, friends, Mz. B, my teachers, and every being who has impacted me during this journey. I have to give credit where it is due, because after all, I am a compilation of my blessings and experiences — without them I am nothing. After displaying my gratitude and appreciation, the next thing to attain peace is finding solace in alone time. It’s when I’m alone I get the most done spiritually and concretely. I find that in moments of loneliness I am able to hear my heart, and knowing this gives me peace. I know who I am and who I am becoming in pockets of silence between the hustle and bustle.
For me, I find my success lies in being true to myself while I am alone, giving credit to those who have helped me, and helping the next one in line – all of these things equal peace for me. After all, my focus is to be honest with myself and ask myself every day: who are you when no one’s looking?
All I know is I hope I am better than I was yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Email: nehanshujaat@outlook.com
- Website: https://www.nehanshujaat.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nehanshujaat/
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