 Journey |  Transcending |  Silence |  Inner Beauty |
 Stillness and Serenity |  Completeness |  Universal Resonance |  Inner wisdom |
 Reflective Inner Peace |  Open Your Heart |
About Iaysha Salih
Iaysha’s work reflects the soul of the artist and represents her spiritual journey through life. Atmospheric swathes of colour in abstract composition create a meditative and contemplative atmosphere that may inspire and free the viewer to explore their own emotions. Iaysha sees art as a healing power, as a dream in which we seek our true selves. Her methods reflect this belief; she does not plan her compositions or create endless sketches, but paints from instinct, allowing her inspiration and intuition to dictate the palette and balance of the canvas.
‘In my art I love invoking a strong desire that talks to you and gets you to change, feel passionate and inspired in your own life. My art is nourishment for your Soul.’
The diversity of sources from which Iaysha takes inspiration is reflected in the spectrum of her subject matter; which extends from pure abstraction through to landscape and figurative work. The impulse to put brush to canvas can be triggered by a song or poem, by the sky, or by the colour of a stranger’s dress as they stroll by. The sights, smells, colours and culture of places that Iaysha has visited on her extensive travels have proven to be a constant source of artistic stimulation. Iaysha has lived in Australia and Thailand and has also travelled to Peru and Arizona. Her works are not a topographical study of the locations she has visited; instead they capture the essence of the place. She seeks to convey more to the viewer than simply what is present; to give an internal and spiritual insight into the magic of nature, creating an intensified vision rather than a naturalistic description. The works are not painted en plein air, but considered over time and painted in the studio; guaranteeing that the landscape produced is inspired by the spirit of the place rather than its geographic details. In the words of Chekhov, ‘the subject must pass through the sieve of my memory so that alone which is important remains’.
In Iaysha’s gift as a colourist we can see the influence of several artists whom she admires. Her abstract and landscape work is certainly reminiscent of the late great Donald Hamilton Fraser RA, and her layering and washes of colour surely owes a debt to another Scottish artist, Barbara Rae RA. When questioned to name the artist who has had the greatest impact on her work Iaysha does not hesitate, ‘Turner’ is the immediate reply. ‘His impressionistic studies of the sky fascinate me, his use of light to create an almost mystical atmosphere is beautiful to behold. Sometimes I think I could just stare at the sky all day! I also love Peter Lanyon’s early work, they convey such emotional intensity’. Perhaps the conveyance of emotion is what draws Iaysha to pure abstraction; her work is about atmosphere, imagination and feeling: universal themes that defy the boundaries of figurative subject matter. ‘I love to create landscapes and figurative work too- I feel no restrictions as an artist. But my abstract work definitely comes from a deeper place.’
Iaysha is not able to contemplate her art all day, as when she is not in her studio she is kept busy running the very successful Bluemoon Gallery in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. She formerly had her studio in a space directly above the gallery, but as recently relocated it a few miles away, enabling her to escape the hustle and bustle of running a business. Finding a balance between these two pursuits is tough, but it also puts Iaysha in the unique position of being able to see how her work affects other people; something that is of great importance to her. Iaysha hopes in the future to be able to devote all her time to painting. Iaysha has been painting since she was a child; finding her ‘voice’ and means of self expression amongst a spirited family through painting. Iaysha has had no formal training, art has always been second nature to her; instead her background is in the field of healing, retail and advertising. Iaysha has exhibited all over the UK and her work can be found in many private collections as well as corporate settings, hotels and spas.