'I'm rarely bored in life'

We all have our days, good, bad or indifferent. We speak to men and women across the UAE and ask them about their kind of day. What do they do? What do they think? They tell us, in their own words Today: Tania Beaumont, watercolour and print maker

I wake up at around 7.30am, not by choice but have an early start as my husband leaves for work early. I am usually showered and breakfasted by 9.00am - just toast and coffee. If it's a Saturday, then I set off to the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation by 9.30am, as I am a member of the Abu Dhabi Ladies Art Group, which meets on a weekly basis. I stay there until 1.00pm.

It's a self-help group of 15 members, the more experienced artists assist the others in painting and drawing. It has people of various nationalities, including Indian, Japanese, Australian and British, which brings very interesting perspectives to the work done. Their individual sensibilities get reflected in the work, very distinctive is the effort by the Japanese ladies.

Everybody works with different media such as pastels, acrylics, watercolours and oils - it's a huge mixture.

This happens once a week, on the other days I just do some necessary house work, and then do whatever painting I am working on at the moment.

In fact, right now, I am getting through a heap of work, as I have a solo exhibition coming up in October at the foundation. I have held exhibitions previously, but this is the first time I have been asked by them so I am really thrilled about that. They will be sponsoring the event, which is an honour.

The exhibition will feature watercolours, acrylics and some oils, a mixture. The room is big, so I will be doing some large oils, I need to do bigger works. It is a good opportunity.

I have been painting since I was 11 and I am 52 now - it's what I've always wanted to do. I have been very lucky as my family has been totally supportive.

It is time-consuming and people don't realise that what they see has gone through the eyes and brains of the artist somewhere; assimilate what I see and present it with a different but individualised perspective. I believe art should be a study, and if works come out of it, it is a bonus.

I'm realistic in my paintings, but would love to try a hand at abstract painting. I would love to be an abstract artist and really admire good abstract work. For good abstract painting, there has to be study behind it. There has to be a sound basis of drawing behind it, you can see when it is just a sham.

I work with inspiration from my surroundings, especially as I have spent the last 13 years in Islamic countries, including Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and now the UAE. So Arabic themes and patterns feature prominently in my work, along with the play of light and shade.

I usually do doors and windows but with a different slant, such as Omani windows with Arabic calligraphy collage.

I have to say, these days I really appreciate what I have. Earlier I used to take my ability for granted, I think that happens when you are younger. But now I realise I was born with something special and I am lucky. I can look at things and places with an artist's eye - I am rarely bored in life, which is a gift.

In the afternoon I have a light lunch, usually a sandwich and then continue with my work, which could be either painting or researching on something related to it in books or on the Net. I do this until 5.30pm and then go out to shop for ingredients to make dinner.

It is often a stir fry, my husband and I like Oriental and Indian cuisine a lot. By 6.30pm my husband's back and we have dinner. The rest of the evening is spent watching a movie or doing something on the computer. I got new photoshop software for Christmas, which I am learning these days.

My husband is my best critic, I value his opinion, so I show him what I have worked on during the day. He is an engineer and a good technical drawer, so he picks up on any technical mistakes promptly. We spend time in my studio. I am currently looking to find a bigger studio, as I plan to buy an etching press in the near future.

After that, I spend time reading some novel, which I tend to do more of during the weekends. On Fridays we make it a point to go to the beach and relax, or go camping.

I am usually in bed by 11.30pm. I try hard to get to bed early but, it never happens, as I'm always busy doing something.