Maksuda Iqbal Nipa resides in Dhaka, Bangladesh. At her studio, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of her work (some of them are as large as 7 feet by 12 feet). The second thing you notice is the vibrant colors inspired by nature. She achieves a fascinating textural treatment to her work by applying layers -- using a technique uniquely her own.

Q.
Tell us about yourself and how you came to be an artist.

A.
I didn't draw or paint much in my childhood. I only liked to color. When I was a high school student, I wanted to study something different. I attended an art class where I had learned how to draw. Later I took an entrance exam at the Institute of Fine Art, University of Dhaka (now Faculty of Fine Art). Luckily I was accepted into the university. I felt that I have discovered a new world where I could begin my creative journey.

Q.
Describe your work in three words:

A.
Minimalist, abstract, and expressionism.

Q.
What is your creative process? Walk us through each stage - from coming up with ideas/themes/concepts you want to explore, to translating that into an artistic vision, to creating the physical artworks.

A.
Basically, I do oil painting. I work with very few art materials: brush, oil, and a plain surface. I use the tools available near me to create texture.

I have been working with this medium for over a decade. I experiment with color to use them in a better way. I try to create a form of illusion on the surface. I prefer to work on large canvases.

When I see a white surface, such as a blank canvas, I don't know what I will paint, I feel empty in the beginning, so I choose a color on that moment and apply it onto the canvas. The visual image of the painting naturally develops as I start and keep going. Slowly the creative process is initiated and the color is applied layer by layer. Each layer is like my everyday journal as it takes time to complete a work. Some large canvases take more than a year due to the process.

Q.
What draws you to paint?

A.
I never thought about such a thing. I instinctively feel all the time that I wanted and needed to paint.

Q.
Where do you draw inspiration from?

A.
From my surroundings, relationships with people, nature and natural objects - its vibrant color, texture, and shape.

Q.
Who are some contemporaries or figures in art history who have influenced you?

A.
All the impressionist artist- especially Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, Paul Klee, Joan Miró, Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, Gustav Klimt, Mark Rothko are few of them.

Q.
Are there any quotes or mantras that you particularly connect with?

A.
Nowness.

Q.
What messages or emotions do you hope to convey to your audience?

A.
My intention is to bring serenity through my work. However, I prefer that viewers derive their own meaning and connect with the work freely.

Q.
What do you listen to when creating?

A.
I listen to western classical music, jazz, blues, and old pop tunes. Rock music like the British rock band "Queen," Edith Piaf, and so many more. It depends on my mood.