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Sumera Azim Najaf - Watercolor Artist

@sumerapaints

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🧑‍🎨Watercolorist 🖌️🎨Spreading joy through art 💌Commissions closed

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Lately, I’ve been giving used teabags a second life—as tiny canvases for birds.
Each one feels like a quiet pause in time… a moment of stillness, steeped in color and character.

From the gentle brush of feathers to the faint tea stains beneath, these miniature artworks have become some of my favorite little experiments.

#teabagart #miniatureart #birdart #watercolorbirds #teabagpainting #watercolorpainting #birdillustration #sumerapaints #dailywatercolor #tinyart #aquarelle #birdlovers #birdwatchingart #recycledart #upcycledart #watercolorlove #natureinspiredart #artistsoninstagram #artreel #reelitfeelit #creativeprocess #birdsofinstagram #watercolorwildlife #birdonteabag #artforsoul #birdartist #artinspiration #birdwatercolor #teabagcanvas by @sumerapaints

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a year ago

Hey there, I’m Sumera!
I’m a watercolor artist based in Dubai, where I live with my loving husband, Najaf, and our sweet cat, Delilah. I fell in love with watercolors about three years ago, and ever since, my days have been filled with color, calm, and creativity. There’s something truly magical in watching water and pigment dance across paper—messy, unpredictable, and somehow always beautiful.

About a year and a half ago, I underwent open-heart surgery for a congenital condition. It was a deeply transformative experience. During my recovery, painting became my sanctuary, each brushstroke offering healing, hope, and quiet joy. Watercolors helped me heal and find myself again.

While I’d love to grow into a full-time pet portrait and wildlife artist one day (I’ve always felt a deep connection with animals), these days I’m joyfully immersed in miniature art. I’m currently creating daily 2.5x3.5-inch paintings as part of the #TinyArtChallenge for 2025, and it’s been such a fulfilling experience. I love how even the tiniest piece can tell a whole story.

I’ve also recently started painting on used tea bags—something people usually toss without a second thought. I find beauty in giving these little canvases new life. It’s delicate work, but I love the challenge and the message: that even the ordinary can become extraordinary.

When I’m not painting, I’m probably reading. I run a small book club in my community called Bound by Books, where we read one book each month and gather to share thoughts and conversations that linger long after the story ends.

I also love traveling, going on hikes with my husband, eating the low-carb way (most of the time!), and soaking in the rare rainy days here in Dubai, they always feel like a gift!

Thank you for being here and for following along. I hope my art brings you the same peace, wonder, and warmth that it brings me. ♥️

#MeetTheArtist #SumeraPaints #TinyArtChallenge #MiniatureArt #TeabagArt #PetPortraitArtist #WildlifeArt #WatercolorHealing #DubaiArtist #BookClubLife #BoundByBooks #LowCarbLiving #RainLover #CreativeJourney #AnimalLover taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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a year ago

Having fun with birds and bookmarks !

My original handpainted bookmarks are available for purchase. High quality prints are also available.
📩 DM to place your order

#birds #bookmark #giftideas #booklover #bookstagram by @sumerapaints

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9 months ago

Halloween Illustrations 👻🧙‍♀️

I saw a house in the neighborhood all decorated for Halloween and was tempted to do some fun Halloween illustrations. These were pure joy to paint 😁!

#halloween #watercolor #ghosts #witchy #october taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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20 hours ago

🎨 Day 15 | Birdtober 2026 🐦

Today’s bird is the Long-tailed Broadbill! 💚💛

With its vibrant colours, distinctive beak and wonderfully long tail, this little bird was such a fun subject to paint.

15 days into Birdtober, and I’m loving the process of exploring different birds, playing with watercolour, and bringing each one to life on paper. One bird at a time! 🎨

#Birdtober #LongTailedBroadbill #WatercolorBirds #Birdtober2026 #WatercolorArt taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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4 days ago

Day 14 🐦
Birdtober 2026

Meet the Victoria Crowned Pigeon, a bird fit for royalty! 👑

With its beautiful blue-grey plumage and delicate, crown-like crest, this bird is truly a little work of art. Native to the forests of New Guinea, it is one of the largest living pigeons in the world and moves through the undergrowth with an elegant, almost regal presence.

Loved painting the beautiful bird as my tiny art !

#Birdtober2026 #Birdtober #VictoriaCrownedPigeon #BirdArt #WatercolorBirds taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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5 days ago

🎨 A morning of art, coffee & connection. ☕🍂

Our very first Autumn Art Morning at The Artist Table was such a lovely experience!

From watercolours and pencil sketches to pastels, ink and wash, and ink art, it was wonderful to see everyone bring their own style and creativity to the table.

But the best part? It wasn’t just about the art. It was about meeting new people, sharing conversations, discovering common interests, and making genuine connections along the way. ❤️

Because while art brings us together, connection is what makes us stay.

Here’s to creating in a space where we can be ourselves, express freely, learn from one another, and celebrate each other’s creativity — without pressure or judgment.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made our first gathering so special. Here’s to many more mornings of art, coffee, friendship, and creativity! 🎨✨

This is The Artist Table. And this is just the beginning. ❤️

@cariboucoffeeuae @sumerapaints @kaleidoartist @ver.onikat9 @malinikarani @roohisketches

#TheArtistTable #DubaiArtists #DubaiArtCommunity #ArtMeetup #UAEArtists taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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5 days ago

October 🍁

Dubai may not be cooling down just yet, but in my heart and mind, I can already feel the crisp autumn breeze and picture golden leaves gently falling. 🍂🤎

So, I’m bringing a little autumn to my world, one brushstroke at a time. 🎨🍁

Autumn makes me want to slow down and savour the little things.

A little autumn, painted with love. 🍂✨

#Watercolor #WatercolorPainting #AutumnLeaves #AutumnVibes #SumeraPaints taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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6 days ago

Day 3: The magical Resplendent Quetzal! 💚✨ Between those shimmering emerald-green plumage tones and those long, flowing tail feathers, this one felt like painting a little piece of folklore.

#Birdtober #Birdtober2026 #ResplendentQuetzal #Quetzal #BirdArt
Who else loves painting jewel-toned feathers? Let me know what you think! 🌿🦜 taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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16 days ago

Day 2 of Birdtober featuring the stunning Hawaiian ‘I‘iwi (Scarlet Honeycreeper)! 🌺 Birds with rich, fiery reds and unique curved beaks are always such a joy to paint. Layering those deep crimson pigments while keeping the delicate details clean was such a fun process.

#Birdtober #Birdtober2026 #Iiwi #HawaiianBirds #WatercolorPaints taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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16 days ago

Day 1: Lilac-breasted Roller
Kicking off Birdtober2026 with Day 1 and the vibrant Lilac-breasted Roller! 🎨✨ Mixing these soft lilac tones and rich turquoise washes was absolute bliss. There’s no better way to set the colorful tone for the month ahead.
Which prompt are you most excited to see come to life this October? 🌿✨
#Birdtober #Birdtober2026 #LilacBreastedRoller #WatercolorBird #BirdArt taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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16 days ago

A pop of red in the trees and a splash of sunshine on paper. Loved painting the textures on both of these handmade bookmarks!

#Bookstagram #WatercolorArt #BookishArt #HandmadeBookmarks #ArtistsOfInstagram taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @sumerapaints

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a month ago