About the artist
Ayshea Ahmed
Ayshea Ahmed is an artist, author and illustrator with a particular interest in outsider art, visionary artists and the places where art, imagination and storytelling meet. Her work spans painting, illustration and writing, often inspired by artists, writers and ideas that sit outside conventional boundaries. Ayshea has written about the visionary outsider artist Madge Gill and has also led creative art sessions, encouraging people to explore their own imagination through art. Ayshea is passionate about making art and artists accessible to a wider audience. Her books are aimed at young adults and above and are designed as an introduction to the artists she explores — combining storytelling, writing and imagery to create a visual and immersive journey into their lives and work.
Interests
Ayshea's wider interests and influences include the Brontës, history, music, film, perfume and cats. She has a particular love of Kate Bush and Keane, as well as horror films, and is drawn to atmosphere, storytelling, character, beauty and the more mysterious sides of creativity. Alongside her writing, Ayshea continues to develop her own artwork and illustration, as well as new books and creative projects.
Latest Projects
Books
The Wonderful World of Madge Gill
Exploring the spiritual and intricate work of outsider artist Madge Gill.
Books
A Wild and Beautiful Art
The life and work of Joan Eardley, captured through prose and lines.
Art
Paintings and drawings
A collection of visual stories told through ink, pencil, and paint.
Collect
Original pieces and prints
Own a piece of the story with signed prints and unique artisan goods.
Francis Bacon Series
A series of artworks based around the artist Francis Bacon.
Articles and Reviews
A selection of articles and reviews.
Books and Artists
Literary & Artistic Discoveries
Artists, books and further reading
A Wild and Beautiful Art: Joan Eardley
In my exploration of Joan Eardley's life and work, I have found myself deeply moved by her uncompromising commitment to the elements. Writing this book allowed me to delve into her world—from the gritty Glasgow tenements to the wild, salt-sprayed cliffs of Catterline—trying to capture the essence of an artist who painted with such raw, unvarnished honesty.
From the Introduction
"To understand Eardley is to understand the geography of her heart. She did not merely observe the North Sea or the children of Townhead; she inhabited them. Her art was not a delicate pursuit, but a visceral struggle with oil, sand, and weather, resulting in a body of work that remains as vital and untamed today as the landscapes she so loved."