Influential Woman · Art
Masooma Nasikwala
Founder and owner, artist_MasooMa
Seattle, WA
Her Story
About Masooma
Masooma Nasikwala is an artist and art instructor based in Seattle, Washington. With seven years in the field, she works with acrylics, charcoal, plaster, and 3D elements while offering freelance workshops for kids and adults and creating customized minimalistic sketches. She runs her art business through her Etsy store, The Sketchy Penguin. Professionally trained as an engineer in information technology and computer science, Masooma discovered her passion for art during the COVID pandemic as a way to find calm amid stress. She balances her creative work with family life as a mother of three, supported by her husband who works at Amazon. In addition to her art, she contributes to her community by providing charity decor for the community hall and writing articles for the community newspaper. Masooma attributes her success to the support of her husband, children, and parents, and she values working at her own pace while taking one day at a time.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Masooma
01What do you attribute your success to?
Definitely my husband for supporting my passion and being patient and taking things off my hands. Also my kids who get excited and help, and my parents who have faith in me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take one day at a time, and as long as you're consistent, you're making progress. That advice from my husband stayed with me so I don't get overwhelmed.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
As long as you like it and are passionate about it, just go for it. Don't follow what people think. Don't go for monetary benefits at first; money will follow eventually if you have faith in yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
AI has become tricky. Time management is a big task to keep up with everything. Social media is a challenge because apart from creating art you also have to become a content creator.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Do what you like to do, don't follow trends. Be in my own space, work at my own pace, and just do one day at a time.
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