A floral geometric artwork.

William Morris Inspired Watercolour Workshop

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Drop-in

About William Morris Inspired Watercolour Workshop

Work with Birmingham-based artist Shaheen Ahmed to create a Celtic knot painted in the style of William Morris's vine leaves and daisies. Take inspiration from Shaheen's digital artwork that she created as part of a commission for the National Trust.

  • What to expect:
  • Participants secure the stencil shape over their paper using the washi tape provided.
  • Using a pencil mark out the Celtic knot
  • Remove stencil. Observe the shapes of the vine leaves, see how they curl and pivot, with the loose daisies spread throughout.
  • Practise swirling leaves and daisies in watercolour
  • Work in and around your celtic knot creating green leaves and blue daisies

Event Information

  • This event will run between 11am - 3pm
  • Location will be in the Industrial Gallery

Image gallery

  • A floral geometric artwork.
  • A person holding an artwork on an ornate metal staircase in a gallery.
  • An example painting artwork and artwork in progress on a table.
  • An step by step example artwork in progress on a table.
  • Close up of a hand painting flowers and leaves on paper.
  • A group of people sitting at a table and painting.
  • A person painting a geometric shape at a table.
  • Two adults at a table being guided by another adult in a painting activity.
  • Close up of people painting on paper at a table.
  • Three people sitting around a table doing a craft activity.
  • A floral geometric artwork.
  • The Industrial Gallery with displays, ornate glazed ceiling and visitors in the background.

Shaheen Ahmed

Shaheen Ahmed completed a Diploma in Art and Design in her home town in Burnley Lancashire. After gaining a degree in art, she exhibited and completed an artist residency: 'Prints and the Computer', at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, led by the late Tessa Sidey. Shaheen has a long-standing practice within craft, working internationally on numerous global projects for Ikon Gallery, the British Council, and the Paul Mellon Award to name a few. Currently, Shaheen is painting in her studio and finding inspiration on her travels.

Sacred Quran Digital print commissioned by The National Trust 2009

In 2009, as resident artist for the National Trust Shaheen Ahmed studied Bookbinding and Mark Making in Italy. Shaheen took inspiration from William Morris's wallpaper collection, as well as Christian manuscripts in Arezzo, Italy, noting the interlacing patterns monks used within the margins of their manuals. Sacred Quran is a hybrid of cultures and patterns. The Celtic knot along with William Morris's vine leaf daisies trail along the cursive paths holding several verses from the chapter, The Merciful from the Quran.
This artwork is now part of several notable publications, namely the William Morris Gallery and Bayt al Fann.

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