Faye Nasser Joley

This trip culminated in a year-long stay in Rome where I set up a studio and studied the work of the great Italian masters. When I returned to England, I started my own business, this time as an Artist. I’ve been lucky enough to have some great success. My work has introduced me to some incredible galleries, wonderful curators, clients and artists and even the Queen!

The high profile T5 Gallery in Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5, profiled my work in a solo sell-out exhibition. Owing to this success, I was commissioned by Heathrow, the host Olympic Airport, to create a series of Olympic portraits to celebrate London’s 2012 Olympic Games.

In the Queen’s Jubilee year, I was invited to paint in the ‘Best of British’ arena, where I was introduced to HM Queen Elizabeth II.

My work featured widely across British press, including an article in the Evening Standard and a feature in luxury magazine Gulf Connoisseur. Not bad for a young woman who started selling paintings on a local market stall. Most importantly, I finally felt like I was in alignment with my raison d’etre.

I took a long break to raise my two young daughters (my greatest works). I want them to have art in their lives – I’m an ambassador for art in education and worked on a variety of educational creative projects within the community, including securing a GOLD Art OFSTED award for one of the largest schools in the South of England. I’m also incredibly passionate about conservation and hope that my work will lead me to opportunities where I can contribute in a more meaningful way.

Now I’m back in the studio, with fire in my belly and paint all over my shoes - As the cool kids say, I’m living my best life.