Lily & Lyra Art

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Lily & Lyra Art

Artist | GP | Mum x2 | British South Asian

Art inspired by places, memories & emotion
Abstract • Impressionist • Mixed Media
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04/09/2026

𝗜’𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁.

For a long time, I didn’t really feel like I had the right to.

I have no formal art training. I already have a profession. Art started as something I did simply because I loved it.

And somewhere along the way, I absorbed the idea that perhaps it was just a hobby. Something I could enjoy, but shouldn’t necessarily take too seriously.

That perhaps I needed 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Permission to call myself an artist.
Permission to give it my time.
Permission to take my work seriously.
And even permission to earn money from something I love.

But I’m slowly letting go of that.

Because I’m realising I don’t need permission.

𝗠𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲.

And I know that not just because I believe in it, but because I’ve been lucky enough to see how deeply some of my work has connected with the people who have bought it.

Paintings have gone to homes and people have found something of themselves, a memory, a place or a feeling in them.

And that means an enormous amount to me.
So this is me, stepping out from behind the name and putting my own name to my work.

𝗗𝗿 𝗞𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵.

Artist. GP. Mum. Recovering perfectionist 😂. And someone who is finally beginning to realise that I don’t have to choose between the different parts of myself.

I’ve been pretty quiet over the summer… partly working, partly keeping the kids entertained and partly just taking a bit of a step back.

But I’m ready to get going again.

I’ve got a rebrand to sort, new work to create, a website to somehow build from scratch despite knowing very little about building websites 🙈, and 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝘀 to get ready for.

I’m taking part in one of the four dates this year, and I have A LOT to do over the next few weeks!

I’d love you to follow along as I figure it all out and hopefully bring this next chapter to life.

Here’s to a new chapter. 🥂🤍

02/09/2026

I'll be participating again this year, this time at Oasis church in Harborne. More details to follow!

01/07/2026

👀 COME SEE 👀

A year's worth of creativity, curiosity, and experimentation... all under one roof for one day only!

Over the past year, the wonderful art groups at Lightwood House and Quiborne, guided by the incredibly talented Andrea Coles , have explored so many different techniques, pushed ourselves out of our comfort zones, and discovered new ways of seeing and creating.

Now it's time to bring it all together.

🗓 Sunday 12th July 2026
📍 Lightwood House Marquee
🕦 11.30am – 3.00pm

From expressive portraits (including our rather eye-catching eye project 👀) to a whole range of exciting work created throughout the year, there'll be plenty to discover.

Whether you're an art lover, looking for inspiration, or simply fancy a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, we'd love to see you there.

Come and support your local artists, celebrate creativity, and perhaps even leave feeling inspired to pick up a paintbrush yourself.

See you there! 🎨✨

ArtCommunity CreativeLife ArtClass LocalArt ComeSee

21/06/2026

✨ 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗗 ✨

I'm still slightly blown away by this one.

I had only just finished this painting the day before exhibiting it, so when someone told me they wanted to take it home, I don't think it had quite sunk in that somebody else might connect with it in the same way I had.

This piece was my attempt to capture not just an iconic building, but the energy, creativity, and character that it represents. Rather than focusing on architectural accuracy, I wanted to create something vibrant and expressive that reflected the optimism, diversity, and creative spirit of Birmingham.

The Library felt like the perfect subject. For me, it's more than a recognisable landmark. It's a place where stories, ideas, learning, and creativity come together. A symbol of a city that continues to inspire me and one that truly lives up to the phrase: "𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁."

Created using heavy-bodied acrylic paint and oil pastel, I built up layers of texture and colour to give the piece a slightly three-dimensional quality. I love how the surface catches the light, revealing different details and marks as you move around it.

As someone who returned to painting after nearly twenty years away, it genuinely means so much when someone loves a piece enough to want to live with it and display it in their home. Knowing that something you've created has connected with another person in that way is a very special feeling, and one that I don't take for granted.

Thank you to the wonderful collectors who have given this painting its new home. 💛

The original has now sold, but I've had quite a few people ask about prints, so I'm pleased to say that limited edition prints will be available soon. Watch this space.

AbstractArt ImpressionistArt MixedMediaArt ThisCityMakesArt WestMidlandsArtist

19/06/2026

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺
Reflections on the OmNom Wellbeing Event
Things have been a bit busy lately, and I feel like I've only just had the chance to properly process and reflect on the wellbeing event at OmNom a couple of weeks ago.

It was such an inspiring day. Listening to people share their journeys, challenges, and the paths they had taken towards healing, self-discovery, and a more peaceful way of living was incredibly moving. What struck me most was how many of them are now using those experiences to help others. So much of what was said resonated deeply with me.

It was an absolute pleasure to end the day with a mindful creative workshop and see how engaged everyone was. The aim wasn't for me to show people what to do and for them to copy it. Instead, it was about finding inspiration in the everyday, using simple materials, and exploring creativity without judgement. About giving ourselves permission to return to that childlike state where we create simply because it feels good to do so.

One participant drew a flower growing and described what she was feeling as she drew:

"𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆."

I found that moment incredibly powerful. It wasn't about creating a perfect drawing. It was about expressing something meaningful through the act of creating. Honest, intuitive, and deeply personal.

As a GP, I see first-hand how easy it is for life to become busy, overwhelming, and disconnected. Returning to art after nearly twenty years away, during a particularly stressful period of my own life, reminded me of something important: creativity isn't a luxury. It's one of the ways we can reconnect with ourselves. Not because we're trying to produce something beautiful, but because the process itself can be calming, restorative, and joyful.

I'll admit, I was incredibly nervous standing up in front of everyone and sharing my story. My voice wobbled, and there were definitely moments where my nerves showed. But the encouragement and kindness from the group made all the difference, and I'm genuine

30/05/2026

Well... this is a little outside my comfort zone! 😅

My first attempt at talking to camera, so please forgive the slightly clunky delivery…I don't think I was made for the screen! 😂

That said, I am incredibly excited to be part of this special wellbeing event next week and to share a little more about why it means so much to me.

As both a GP and artist, I've experienced first-hand the power of creativity to help us slow down, reconnect, and find moments of calm in busy lives.

I'll be leading a mindful art workshop focused on simple dots and lines, where the emphasis is on the process rather than the outcome. No artistic experience needed…just a willingness to pause, be present, and show yourself a little self-compassion.

Alongside the art workshop, the day will include guided meditation, transformational NLP, conversations around burnout and neurodiversity, and other wellbeing practices, all delivered by healthcare professionals who are passionate about supporting health and wellbeing in meaningful ways.

Most importantly, all profits from the event will be donated to support Mogra Orphanage in Kenya. 💛

📍 OmNom, Birmingham
📅 Saturday 7th June
⏰ 10am–3pm

We are all so excited to welcome you and create a space for connection, reflection, and wellbeing.

🎟️ Link in bio to book, including a discount code.

If you know someone who could benefit from a day of calm, creativity, and connection, please do share.

CommunityConnection ArtForWellbeing Mindfulness BirminghamWorkshop

15/05/2026

Back at 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 tomorrow with my art ✨

Things have been busy lately (and, at times, a little overwhelming) with projects, work, and life all making their presence known. But as always, painting has brought me some much-needed joy, calm, and release.

I’ve been working on a couple of new pieces recently and have been experimenting with painting using a credit card… and honestly, I’m loving it! Huge thanks to for the inspiration. So much so that there may well be a whole new credit card series coming soon 👀

I’m hoping to enter this latest piece into open call, “Flora”, if I can get it finished in time 🌿

Really looking forward to a day of sharing, chatting, and connecting tomorrow at Kings Heath Art Market at the Community Centre on Heathfield Road, 12–4pm.

Please do come by and say hello 💛 I'd love to see you xx

Address

Birmingham

Website

http://www.krupapatelsmith.co.uk/

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