Some artists capture the world exactly as they see it. Others take those familiar sights and turn them into something that feels like a half-remembered dream. Nadia Attura does both, creating beautiful, layered artworks that sit somewhere between photography, painting, and pure imagination.
© Nadia Attura
With a background in photojournalism, the London-based artist knows how to find beauty in the smallest details. The weathered surface of an old stone wall, the gentle movement of water, or the unusual shape of a cactus can become the starting point for an entirely new visual world. But Attura doesn’t simply point her camera, take a picture, and call it a day. She brings those photographs back to her studio, combines different fragments, and adds delicate washes of paint, ink, and chalk to transform them into atmospheric works of art.
The result? Dreamy botanical landscapes filled with muted pastels, vintage textures, and a wonderful sense of nostalgia. Her creations feel familiar yet strangely otherworldly, inviting us to slow down and look at nature with fresh eyes.
Behind this distinctive style is a personal story of courage, creative discovery, and a promise made to her daughter. From accidental photographic experiments to exhibitions at London’s prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Attura’s journey is every bit as inspiring as her art. Let’s explore 33 dreamlike artworks that show what happens when photography and painting come together.
You can find Nadia Attura on the web:
#1
© Nadia Attura
"Adventures through the jungle forests of Mexico. Paradise full of colour and birdsong. A vintage inspired large format artwork with inspiration from South Africa, India and Central America."
#2
© Nadia Attura
"Adventures in the pools of the Yucatan, Mexico. Paradise places full of colour and birdsong. A vintage inspired large format artwork with inspiration from Mexico, California and the Tropics. Including animals from the sanctuary La Perle aux Oiseaux, in Marrakech."
#3
© Nadia Attura
"Nadia’s botanical photographs and drawings collages together from her trips through the American midwest.
#4
© Nadia Attura
"Quiet Snow fields, not a sound in this Scandinavian winter landscape."
#5
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Ravine, inspired by desert trails through Arizona following Nadia’s road trip with fellow artists from LA to NYC via the Southern States of the USA. Nadia’s botanical photographs and drawings collages together from her trips to southern California."
#6
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Taormina, inspired by my long Summer in Sicily. A collage of Nadia’s botanical and photographs, from her recent trip to the Island. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus series."
When Photography Becomes a Painterly Dream
What makes Nadia Attura’s work so captivating is her ability to blur the boundaries between photography and painting. She begins with real places and objects, then layers photographs, textures, and hand-applied color to create scenes that feel almost impossible. Each piece offers a fresh perspective on the natural world.
- Start with real-life details: Photograph textures, plants, architecture, and landscapes that catch your eye.
- Experiment with layering: Combine multiple images to create depth and unexpected visual relationships.
- Add painterly elements: Use ink, chalk, or diluted paint to soften photographic details.
- Explore muted colors: Pastel shades and vintage tones can create a dreamy, nostalgic atmosphere.
- Embrace imperfections: Scratches, grain, and uneven textures can give an artwork its own personality.
#7
© Nadia Attura
"A bold colourful celebration of forest tree blooms. My flowers, cacti and bird photographs, taken on location from the Mountains of Laos to the trees of Mexico to the Botanical Gardens of Oslo. A collage inspired by imagined created Botanical landscapes, recalling the feelings of being in nature . Part of the Botanical Cactus series mixing photography, pencil and paint."
#8
© Nadia Attura
"Tropical sunshine and Indian ocean views. Early evening walks along the palm fringed beaches of Mirissa, Sri Lanka. This artwork is made using my original photography taken on location which I collage together and add paint to the final works. This adds adds an illustrative quality to the work adding to memory and the feeling of being there."
#9
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Mountain inspired by Chang Mai, Thailand. A collage of Nadia’s botanical photographs which she makes on location, in the studio she prints these out adding paint and pencil. Part of Imagined landscapes in her Botanical Cactus series."
#10
© Nadia Attura
"California’s iconic coastline and the abundant marine life of the Pacific. Monterey Bay home to beautiful mesmerising Jellyfish. This work forms part of the underwater portfolio. Nadia’s original photographs taken on location at Monterey Bay are collaged together using paint, chalk and pencil overlayed to produce the final limited edition artworks."
#11
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Jade, inspired by her trips to South East Asia and Central America. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus series. Nadia’s botanical photographs and drawings collaged together."
#12
© Nadia Attura
"Monterey Blue, California’s swimming jellyfish part of the underwater portfolio inspired by mid century graphics. Artists original photography is collaged using paint, chalk and pencil overlaid to produce the final limited edition artworks."
The Beauty of Botanical Worlds and Surreal Landscapes
Attura’s botanical landscapes feel like places discovered in a dream rather than locations found on a map. Plants, flowers, water, and distant horizons merge into poetic compositions, while subtle colors create a sense of calm. Her work reminds us that nature doesn’t need dramatic scenery to inspire extraordinary art.
- Look beyond obvious subjects: Find interesting patterns in leaves, branches, flowers, and seed pods.
- Build visual stories: Combine photographs from different locations to suggest an imagined landscape.
- Use negative space: Empty areas help delicate botanical details stand out.
- Play with scale: Unexpected proportions can make familiar natural subjects feel surreal.
- Create a mood: Choose a consistent palette to evoke serenity, nostalgia, mystery, or wonder.
#13
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Canyon, inspired by desert trails through Arizona and the Grand Canyon of America. Nadia’s botanical photographs and drawings collages together from her trips to southern California. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus series."
#14
© Nadia Attura
"Kew Gardens, inspired by visits to the gardens houses and landscaped gardens. Nadia’s original photographs which she takes on location. Collaged and rearranged back in the studio. To these prints she adds paint, chalks and ink creating a new imagined landscape. Part of the Botanical series."
#15
© Nadia Attura
"California’s iconic coastline and the abundant marine life of the Pacific Ocean. Monterey Bay at night. This work forms part of the underwater portfolio. Nadia’s original photographs taken on location at Monterey Bay are collaged together using paint, chalk and pencil overlaid to produce the final limited edition artworks."
#16
© Nadia Attura
"Adventures through the jungle forests of Mexico. Paradise full of colour and birdsong. A vintage inspired large format artwork with inspiration from South Africa, India and Central America."
#17
© Nadia Attura
"Adventures through The Cape of South Africa. Paradise full of colour and birdsong. A vintage inspired large format artwork with inspiration from South Africa and Central America. Including birds from the sanctuary La Perle aux Oiseaux, in Marrakech."
#18
© Nadia Attura
"Adventures through the jungle forests of Mexico. Paradise full of colour and birdsong. A vintage inspired large format artwork with inspiration from South Africa, India and Central America."
From Accidental Negatives to an Artistic Signature
Sometimes, the best creative discoveries happen when things don’t go as planned. Attura’s distinctive approach grew from damaged negatives, ghostly shadows, and accidental double exposures on medium-format film during her travels in India. By painting missing details back into prints, she turned photographic imperfections into an expressive visual language.
- Experiment without fear: Try double exposures, overlapping images, or unusual framing.
- Keep unexpected results: A technical mistake might become the starting point for something original.
- Mix photography with drawing: Add hand-rendered details to create a tactile, personal finish.
- Collect images over time: Build a library of textures, colors, and subjects for future projects.
- Develop your own style: Repeat the techniques that feel meaningful, rather than copying another artist’s formula.
#19
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Blossom, inspired by the Majorelle gardens, Marrakech. Bold sunshine blooms, vibrant colours in the walled garden oasis. A collage of Nadia’s botanical and animal photographs, taken on location in the Marrakech, palm Springs and Rome, threading paints and ink into the final edition. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus."
#20
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Garden, inspired by the beautiful Majorelle gardens of Marrakech. Bold blooms, vibrant colours in this walled garden oasis. A collage of Nadia’s botanical and animal photographs, taken on location in the Marrakech, Rome and the Greek Islands, threading paints and ink into the final edition. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus."
#21
© Nadia Attura
"Monterey’s golds and all that glitters, California’s swimming jellyfish part of the underwater portfolio. Artists original photography is collaged using paint, chalk and pencil overlaid to produce the final limited edition artworks."
#22
© Nadia Attura
"Zante, Nadia’s original photographs taken on location on the Greek Island of Zakynthos. To these collages she adds paint and ink creating new imagined landscape. Part of the Botanical collection."
#23
© Nadia Attura
"California’s iconic coastline and the abundant marine life of the Pacific. Monterey Bay home to beautiful mesmerising Jellyfish. This work forms part of the underwater portfolio. Nadia’s original photographs taken on location at Monterey Bay are collaged together using paint, chalk and pencil overlayed to produce the final limited edition artworks."
#24
© Nadia Attura
"Cactus Grove, inspired by the forests of Mexico, the gardens of Spain and the backwater jungles of Kerala. A collage of Nadia’s botanical and animal photographs, from her recent trips. Imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus."
The Personal Story Behind Snowfields
For Attura, art became more than a creative pursuit; it was a promise to build a different life for herself and her daughter. She created Snowfields around the time her daughter was born, capturing a feeling of stillness, renewal, and coming back to herself. The work later appeared at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2016.
- Create from personal experience: Emotions and memories can give an artwork genuine depth.
- Choose meaningful titles: A title can offer viewers an intimate glimpse into the artist’s world.
- Simplify your composition: Restrained colors and uncluttered spaces can communicate powerful feelings.
- Let your work evolve: Early experiments may reveal a direction you hadn’t planned.
- Stay committed to your vision: Creative careers often grow through small, consistent steps rather than overnight success.
#25
© Nadia Attura
"Mountain Rain is a further addition to the Botanical series. Mixing my original photographs, with collage, pencil and paint."
#26
© Nadia Attura
"The magnificent Skaftafell Glacier in Iceland. Hiking through this frozen majestic land listening to the Sagas, haunting beautiful. Mixing photography, collage and paint"
#27
© Nadia Attura
"Dry thistle pods, selenium toned print. Artists original photography is collaged using paint, chalk and pencil overlaid to produce the final limited edition artworks."
#28
© Nadia Attura
"The frozen landscape of Vik in southern Iceland, Hiking through this frozen majestic land listening to the Sagas, Breathing in the haunting beauty of this poetic land. Mixing photography, collage and paint."
#29
© Nadia Attura
"Drifting down tropical backwaters, past palm fringed river banks, filled with bird song and jungle calls. Verdant vintage inspired large format artwork from the backwaters of India, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Brazil, watching the world in green and gold. What started as a happy accident in Kerala, India led my work in the direction it has taken mixing collage, photography and paint."
#30
© Nadia Attura
"Nadia’s botanical photographs and drawings collages together from her trips to Palm Springs focusing on the midcentury homes and their gardens. Poetic imagined landscapes part of the Botanical Cactus series."
Recognition, Exhibitions, and a Lasting Creative Legacy
Attura’s artistic journey has earned recognition well beyond the photography world. Her work has appeared at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2016, 2019, and 2023–2025, alongside features and commissions connected to major publications and cultural organizations. Her international exhibitions and public art projects show how experimental photography can find a home in contemporary fine art.
- Study contemporary artists: Learn how photographers and painters combine different materials and visual languages.
- Visit art exhibitions: Seeing original work reveals textures and details that screens often miss.
- Build a cohesive portfolio: A recognizable style helps viewers understand your creative vision.
- Share your process: Behind-the-scenes experiments can help audiences connect with your work.
- Keep exploring: New materials, collaborations, and commissions can open unexpected creative possibilities.
#31
© Nadia Attura
"Laos mountain steps, on the way to Luang Prabang each red lines represent 100 steps of lives that have been altered."
#32
© Nadia Attura
"Pasadena, Los Angeles. A botanical journey through the beautiful cactus gardens of the Huntington. Nadia’s original photographs which she takes on location. Collaged and rearranged back in the studio. To these prints she adds paint, chalks and ink creating a new imagined landscape. Part of the Botanical series."
#33
© Nadia Attura
"Walks into the Karoo, South Africa colourful oasis in this stunning desert mountain land. Mixing photography with paint and pop art."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Who is Nadia Attura?
Nadia Attura is a London-based contemporary artist and photographer known for combining documentary photography with painting and collage. Her dreamlike mixed-media artworks feature botanical landscapes, vintage textures, soft pastel colors, and surreal compositions inspired by real places and personal experiences.
What techniques does Nadia Attura use in her artwork?
Nadia Attura combines photographs collected during her travels with layered compositions, collage, and hand-applied washes of paint, ink, and chalk. She also embraces photographic imperfections, creating tactile artworks that blend realistic details with painterly textures and imaginative landscapes.
What inspired Nadia Attura’s distinctive artistic style?
Attura’s distinctive style developed partly from damaged negatives, ghostly shadows, and accidental double exposures encountered while photographing in India. Instead of discarding imperfect images, she experimented with painting details back into prints, transforming photographic mistakes into expressive, dreamlike compositions.
What is the story behind Nadia Attura’s artwork Snowfields?
Snowfields reflects Attura’s search for creative freedom and personal fulfillment after she promised her unborn daughter she would become a full-time artist. Created around her daughter’s birth, the work conveys stillness and renewal and was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2016.
Where has Nadia Attura exhibited her artwork?
Nadia Attura has exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London in 2016, 2019, and annually from 2023 through 2025. Her work has also featured in international art fairs, gallery exhibitions, publications, and commissioned projects, including large-scale murals for Hammersmith Hospital.
