Artist Spotlight: Amna Basheer at ArtHouse Collective in Downtown Los Angeles
Amna Basheer is a Los Angeles based painter whose work has become a defining presence within the ArtHouse Collective at 101-17 Studios in Downtown Los Angeles. Her paintings focus on people, identity, and personal storytelling, using bold color, texture, and expressive imagery to explore emotional depth in a way that feels approachable and honest. Living and creating in DTLA has played a major role in shaping both her artistic voice and her connection to community, which is deeply embedded in everything she creates.
Art has always been part of Amna Basheer’s life. She often says she never stopped being interested in art, starting with drawing classes as a child and continuing into adulthood by following her own creative instincts. Being surrounded by driven creatives in Downtown Los Angeles has pushed her to grow and stay motivated, especially during moments of doubt. The energy of people constantly moving, building, and creating has been a powerful influence on her work and her consistency as an artist.
Before she ever touches a canvas, Amna’s process begins digitally. She creates hundreds of sketches on her iPad, each one serving as a quick way to release ideas rather than finalize them. These digital sketches typically take about an hour and function as an idea dump, allowing her to move quickly through concepts. From there, she selects specific faces and compositions to develop further into paintings. Many of these designs were originally imagined as murals, which explains the bold imagery and confident use of color that carries through her work.
When translating digital concepts into physical paintings, Amna intentionally allows the work to evolve. She adds texture and looseness that does not exist in the original sketches, embracing imperfection and spontaneity. For her, paint should look like paint, and the process becomes more enjoyable when the final outcome is not overly rigid. This approach gives her paintings a sense of movement and authenticity that resonates strongly when viewed in person.
People are central to Amna Basheer’s work, and tattoos play a significant role in how she connects her subjects to herself. Having many tattoos of her own, she views each painting as a fragment of her identity. The tattoos she adds to her characters often mirror her own, creating a subtle but personal connection between artist and subject. This visual storytelling allows her work to feel intimate while still remaining open to interpretation. Color is another key element in her paintings. Amna frequently uses bright, electric, and joyful tones, even when exploring heavier or darker themes. This contrast allows her to communicate complex emotions while keeping the work visually inviting. By using positive color palettes, she creates space for difficult narratives to exist in a way that feels accessible rather than overwhelming.
Like many working artists in Los Angeles, Amna balances personal work with commercial and commissioned projects. Rather than feeling restricted by this balance, she sees it as a source of creative freedom. Creating commissioned work allows her to support herself while giving her complete autonomy in her personal paintings. When working on her own pieces, she does not focus on sales or market pressure, allowing her to stay true to her identity and artistic vision.
When creative blocks arise, Amna returns to the fundamentals by attending life drawing and figure drawing sessions throughout Los Angeles. These sessions help remove the pressure of concept creation and allow her to reconnect with the physical act of drawing. She finds inspiration primarily from contemporary living artists, citing Agnes Cecile, Anna Park, and Kit Bennett as current influences that continue to inspire her practice.
One painting in particular marked a major turning point in her artistic journey. Titled Joy, the piece came from a period of self reflection where Amna examined the difference between what she enjoyed painting and what she enjoyed viewing. This realization led her to apply mural techniques she had developed over time directly onto canvas, ultimately shaping the direction of her current body of work.
At its core, Amna Basheer’s art is personal storytelling. However, the response to her work has shown her how universal those personal experiences truly are. Many viewers have shared that they see themselves reflected in her paintings, reinforcing the idea that her narratives are deeply relatable. This connection is what makes her work so impactful within the ArtHouse Collective environment at 101-17 Studios, where art is meant to be experienced in person, in community, and without barriers.
Amna Basheer will be showcasing her work at ArtHouse Volume Five at 101-17 Studios, where guests will have the opportunity to experience her paintings in person alongside a curated lineup of artists, performers, and creatives from across Los Angeles. If you would like to attend and be part of the ArtHouse Collective experience, you can RSVP using the link below.
