Today we’d like to introduce you to Sariya Khanfar.
Hi Sariya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Sariya, and I developed an interest in art in high school after moving to the U.S. from Abu Dhabi. Struggling with English and feeling isolated, art became my escape. I experimented with charcoal, watercolor, ceramics, and acrylics, eventually finding acrylics to be my favorite, especially for miniatures.
My style is deeply connected to a period of depression. After losing my motivation to paint during COVID-19 and family conflicts, I struggled to create for a long time. It wasn’t until my therapist suggested using smaller canvases that I found my way back to painting. I started creating miniatures for friends and family, eventually working as small as a quarter. People loved the miniatures, and I began focusing on custom pet portraits and paintings of artists which are my two favorite categories to paint. I can create almost anything at this size and challenge myself, as they’ve helped me grow as an artist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think my journey as an artist is ever going to be completely smooth. My pieces are delicate and small, so the biggest challenges I face are eyesight strain and back pain issues that many artists can relate to as well. With more experience, I’ve learned to take precautions to reduce these problems. I space out orders to give myself enough rest time, which helps a lot. Another difficulty I face is balancing my art with a full time job as a graphic designer. Creating new pieces can be tough at times when dealing with art block or burnout. Still, I see it as part of the journey and cherish every step, whether hard or easy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a miniature artist based in Cleveland, OH, specializing in creating art as small as 0.75″ x 0.675″. I explore a variety of styles in miniature form, with my favorite subjects being pets and celebrities. I’ve painted everything from dogs and cats to artists, nature, food, and Cleveland scenes. I’ve always had a passion for miniature things. Back in 2016, I wrote names and phrases on grains of rice, and that could’ve been the reason I knew I could do it overtime.
One of my greatest joys is painting pet memorials. Creating a piece that reminds someone of their beloved pet every day is deeply meaningful to me and gives me a sense of purpose. I take great pride in the attention to detail I can achieve at such a small scale, especially considering I only started painting miniatures a little over a year ago. Miniature painting isn’t common, especially in Cleveland, and it requires steady hands, patience, and plenty of trial and error. I thrive on challenges, and this process continually pushes me to create more intricate and difficult pieces over time.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I see myself continuing to grow within the miniature art world, especially as more people seek out personalized, meaningful pieces such as pet memorials portraits. As someone who has already seen the power of creating art that reminds people of their loved ones, I believe this trend will only grow. Social media will continue to be a great platform for sharing the intricate details of my work and connecting with clients who appreciate the patience and skill that go into creating miniatures.
I also see myself expanding my techniques to offer even more personalized pieces. One project I’m currently working on involves creating 3-4 miniature pieces inside miniature wood gallery boxes, offering the pieces as sets. I believe the demand for one of a kind, handcrafted works will remain strong. I’m excited to continue challenging myself with more complex and detailed pieces, and I look forward to helping this niche art form gain greater recognition as I evolve as an artist.
Pricing:
- Custom Pet Portraits $40
- Custom Celebrity Portraits $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sariyakhanfar.com/shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sariya.jpg/profilecard/?igsh=NGV2eHIyMjlhbzVq
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sariya-khanfar-929056176?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
