New Delhi

Afreen Khan’s art is unique: she uses feathers as her canvass and brings alive these otherwise discarded elements of nature with the strokes of her brush.

Hailing from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, Afreen, 24, was born to paint. It seems since she was a child, she painted nature around her all day. This passion for colours and fascination for feathers saw her graduate in arts from the Aligarh Muslim University and later do her Master degree in Fine arts from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.

Afreen Khan’s art has many takers not only in India but abroad too. She is living off well by selling her works online.

Though in the beginning life was difficult as she had no one to guide her, yet with encouragement from parents, things started falling in place and today she is known as the feather artist of India,

Everyone is keen to know how Afreen manages to get feathers. She collects bird feathers from the roadside, fields and parks. Besides, she is also in contact with bird keepers for the supply of the feathers.

So far, Afrin has participated in many exhibitions nationally and internationally.

Afreen Khan also presented his art samples to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She has made a painting of the Prime Minister that she gifteed to her at Hunar Hat, an artisans market sponsored by the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Afreen’s art and showed interest in her exhibition. Several members of his team also bought her works.

Afreen's paintings have also been exhibited at several places in Rampur.

Afreen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hunnar Haat

Besides feather art, Afreen says she makes paper art, canvas painting, water painting and Arabic calligraphy.

Afreen says most people give her work order of painting their picture on a feather.

There is a great demand for marketing creations through social media and exhibitions. She has showcased her talents in various exhibitions.

She sells her products on social media as well as through offline exhibitions.

She sells her works through her Instagram page called, "Feeder Art of Creation." People connect with her on social media and after placing orders online, they get their work through a courier.

Her works for sale has a range of Rs 3,000 to 20,000.

Afreen advice to aspiring painters is to get themselves enrolled in a local art class to hone their basic skills. Later after qualifying 12th standard, they should get admission to an arts college where courses like Certificate in Drawing and Painting, Diploma in Drawing and Painting, Bachelor in Fine Arts are available.