Shireen's Story

 

My dream is that every person be exposed to art because I believe that the love and appreciation of art is a default setting of our souls.

I believe that creating art (personal experience) or just being exposed to any type of art in general makes our souls happy. I believe that the world will be a more peaceful and better place if children were raised with an awareness and appreciation of art. My aim is to continue creating art as long as I am capable of, and through my art to help as many people as I can.

I was born and raised with the love of art in Peshawar, Pakistan. I completed high school in Pakistan before moving to the USA in 1976. After raising a family of three children, I completed a BSc in accounting and later got an MBA from Florida State University in 2005.

In 2008 I founded Pen of Mercy, a nonprofit charitable organization, where donated art is sold in order to raise funds for the needy. I dedicate my time and effort to raising funds for the needy young single moms with small children by selling my art through Pen of Mercy. I held several private art exhibitions in Florida and Alabama in order to display/sell my art as well as to create awareness of my organization.

In 2016, after moving to Tampa, Florida, I decided to delve into the realm of teaching art to children and adults. I teach art as a volunteer art teacher at a local private school. I also teach private art lessons to children and adults.