As I walked into the studio, the smell of turpentine in the air was strong. Nipa, who strictly uses oil for all her paintings, turpentine is a must-have tools-of-the-trade.

Turpentine is one of the more traditional solvents painters use. It is excellent for thinning oil paint as well as cleaning brushes. It's the multi-tasking tool needed in every oil painter's studio.

One of the most exciting ways to discover new artists is to see them in action inside their studios. To help you get to know Maksuda Iqbal Nipa, we invite you to preview her works in progress, learn about what inspires them, and see their work hanging on their studio walls or in recent exhibitions.

The first thing you notice about Maksuda Iqbal Nipa's paintings is the sheer size (some of them are around 5 feet tall). The second thing you notice is the vibrant colors. Her paintings are mostly inspired by natural landscapes. She achieves a fascinating textural treatment to her pieces by applying layers.