Brushstrokes of Silence

Hello! My name is Anita. I’m 18 years old, and I’m originally from Iran. I moved to England about two years ago, and I absolutely love painting. Art is the essence of my being, and I’m so grateful for the ability to bring my imagination to life on paper and share it with others. I chose the title ‘Brushstrokes of Silence’ because it reflects the gentle, quiet emotions conveyed through each stroke of the painting. It symbolizes the unspoken harmony and the serene, introspective nature of the artwork.”

In “Brushstrokes of Silence” you see, I’ve blended various artistic elements using different styles and materials, such as watercolours, charcoal, pen, and pencil. Living in Oxford, I wanted to incorporate some of its iconic landmarks. The central image features the Bodleian Library, one of Oxford’s most famous libraries. Looking closely, you’ll notice watercolour paint flowing down from it, creating a dynamic, free-flowing effect. I first sketched the Bodleian Library on cardboard with a pencil, then painted it with watercolours and outlined it with a black fine-liner pen. The bridge next to it is another well-known Oxford landmark named Hertford Bridge that attracts many tourists. Above the bridge, you can see several buildings drawn from photos I took on a famous hill in Oxford. In contrast to the Bodleian Library, the bridge and the buildings at the top were drawn directly onto the watercolour board, painted with watercolours, and also outlined with the fine liner pen. This combination allowed me to blend different techniques and textures in the final piece.

Incorporating various artistic icons, I drew Van Gogh with a regular pencil, blending his portrait with his famous “Starry Night,” so it appears as if the starry sky is bursting out of his mind. The top of his head is torn, symbolizing his ideas flowing out for everyone to see. A line of musical notes connects Van Gogh to Beethoven, representing the beautiful harmony between visual art and music. I drew Beethoven using charcoal and a blending stump, and beneath his image, there is a snippet of his Fifth Symphony.

The hands depicted in the artwork are inspired by Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam and were painted using acrylics. Adjacent to them is a charcoal drawing of the Mona Lisa, where blending techniques were employed to achieve detailed shading. At the top of the composition, a paintbrush and palette symbolise the creative process, with the colours shown on the palette representing the actual hues used throughout the piece.

Van Gogh, Beethoven, and the Mona Lisa were each drawn on separate pieces of paper before being attached to the main watercolour board. This approach allowed me to combine different mediums effectively, as the board itself isn’t ideal for certain materials like charcoal and regular pencil.

Although I have always aspired to study art as my primary focus, life has taken me in a different direction. Nevertheless, I continue to pursue my creative journey alongside other commitments. With the support of others, I hope to one day establish my own gallery, gain recognition, and share my work with a wider audience. Above all, my greatest wish is that someone, upon seeing my art, will remember me and smile.

By Anita (A-Level graduate, Cherwell College Oxford – Class of 2025)