Childhood scrawls to global strokes – Tia Ann Mathew's artistic journey

Gulf Today

16-05-2025

Tia Ann Mathew began her artistic journey aged only four (the proof is produced along with the article). It is Tia's belief that 'creativity is the soul whispering in colour'; so all her works (she is in her teens now) are colourfully creative. She is currently in her final year of school, pursuing IB at British International School, Abu Dhabi. Her voyage in the art world began when, as a toddler, she used to watch her well-known artist mother, Shereen Abraham, paint. From observer, Tia soon made art her lifelong pursuit.
'She created her first two artworks in abstract style, using her tiny fingers, sponge and brush,' recalls Shereen Abraham. 'Later, she started to explore portraiture, landscapes, still life, expressionism, minimalism and of course, digital art. She continues to be interested in refining her artistic skills and exploring new media.'
A Cubist portrait.
Tia studied art in high school and earned top honours in the subject, during her IGCSE. She has consistently exhibited in school art exhibitions for over a decade and outside school, she has exhibited in the UAE, Bahrain, Greece and Turkey. Her next exhibition will be in Austria. Tia is inspired by what surrounds her – colours of Nature, food, music and people's emotions.
For her, art is also a chosen form of storytelling. Therefore, her artworks fuse technique with emotion, reflecting the character of her subjects. Tia has also embraced a multidimensional academic path alongside her artistic pursuits. She is studying Business and Psychology – two subjects she believes enriches her understanding of human behaviour and decision-making, both of which influence her artistic expression.
Composition titled Deep in the Forest.
Despite her accomplishments, she remains grounded. 'I'm always learning,' she says. 'There's so much more to explore in terms of media, styles, and the way I tell stories through art.' With a strong foundation, international exposure and a passion to grow, as she steps into the next phase of her life, she faces the canvas of her future with confidence. She speaks to Gulf Today
Can you tell us about your earliest memories of art?
My earliest memory of art was special, because it opened a whole new world for me – one day, as a four-year-old, I was watching my mother create an artwork, using sponge and brush. I wanted to create an artwork too – so I gathered a few tubes of paint, sponge and brushes from my mother's art toolkit and created two abstract artworks. These two artworks have pride of place at our home.
MUST MUST MUST: The Rose, done when four years old.
Are you self-taught or have you had formal training in art?
I was self-taught in the initial years. Later in school, I studied art and was happy to receive several awards and top honours during my IGCSE.
What do you want to accomplish through art?
Art is my chosen form of storytelling. And sometimes the stories are received differently by others – that, in my opinion, is the beauty of art.
How have you grown as an artist, from toddler to teenager?
I have learned different styles and gained a deeper understanding of how colours work with each other. As a toddler, my art was more about exploration — finger painting, bold strokes, and playing with texture.
Tia Ann Mathew.
Over the years, I've developed more control, technique, and a sense of purpose in my creations. I've experimented with various mediums, studied composition and perspective, and discovered how to express emotion and tell stories through art.
What have you learnt from your mother, who is also a well-known artist?
I learned about choosing colours, how to be free while painting and enjoy the process, and how to tell stories sincerely through creativity. My mother taught me that art isn't just about technique, but also about emotion and authenticity.
Watching her work showed me the power of patience, passion, and how to trust my instincts. Her guidance has helped me grow not just as an artist, but as someone who values expression, connection, and meaning in every stroke of colour.
A portrait titled Eyes.
Why do you like to draw human portraits?
Drawing portraits is an opportunity to capture fleeting human emotions. Each face tells a unique story, and I enjoy the challenge of translating subtle expressions, moods and personality, into visual form. It allows me to connect more deeply with people and explore the beauty of individuality through art.
You also seem to like the Nature, birds and animals. Why?
Some of the most beautiful things are found in Nature, and I imagine myself to be in those spaces when I paint them.
Your works seem presented from special angles. If it is so, why is it so?
Yes, I often choose specific angles in my work because they offer fresh perspectives and make the viewer pause and look more closely. Different angles allow me to highlight details that might otherwise go unnoticed. They add a sense of depth, emotion and movement to a piece.
Candlelight sheds a glow.
Why do you like colours, which may be one of the defining qualities of your artwork?
Colour can change the tone of a painting so drastically and it is liberating to do that through my art.
Does art clash with your studies?
Art does not clash with my studies. But sometimes I am unable to devote as much time to art as I would like, because of my coursework.
Would you like to be a full-time, professional artist later?
Maybe, sometime in the future, because creativity flows in my veins!