The Story Begins Here…
Creative Oasis with Artist Gunja
Hi, I'm Artist Gunja — illustrator, artist, and the person behind Creative Oasis.
Storytelling is at the heart of everything I teach. Before a child picks up a brush, a pencil, or a piece of charcoal, I ask them one question — what do you want to create today? Their answer becomes the lesson. Their imagination leads the way.
This isn't just a teaching method — it's how I work as a professional illustrator. Every artwork starts with a story, and I bring that same approach into every session at Creative Oasis.
My background
I have a Post Diploma in Illustration (equivalent to an MFA) and over fifteen years of professional experience as an illustrator across India, California, and the UK.
I illustrate picture books and chapter books for children — my illustrated titles include Spread the Word and The Thingamabob, developed through the Pathways into Children's Publishing programme with Walker Books and Penguin Random House. I was named a FAB Prize 2025 Highly Recommended illustrator.
Teaching has always been part of my practice. I've run art classes at every stage of my career — in animation studios in India, in California, and since 2023 here in Reading with Creative Oasis.
How I teach
Before a child can express themselves freely, they need real skills. I teach both together.
Each term focuses on one material in depth — charcoal one term, soft pastels the next, watercolour the next. Within that, children learn how the material actually works: why you layer watercolour, how charcoal builds values, what ink can do that paint can't. These aren't dry techniques — they're tools I hand to a child so they can make the picture they actually had in mind.
Alongside the material study, children develop their own characters, their own worlds, their own visual stories. Colour theory, composition, storytelling through pictures — all taught through their own imagination, not mine.
Holiday and weekend workshops go deeper — calligraphy, hand lettering, comics, mixed media illustration — each one a complete, curated experience with all professional grade materials included.
A Note for Parents
I hold a current enhanced DBS certificate, up-to-date safeguarding training, and full public liability insurance. Workshop groups are kept to a maximum of 6 children, and after school clubs to 12, so every child gets proper attention and support.
📩 artist.gunja@gmail.com 📞 +44 07467 131164
I really appreciate Artist Gunja’s passion in grooming children’s creativity through artwork. I can see my son’s improvement not only in his ability to draw, but also his ability to express his feelings and apply what he has learned in his artwork. With a change of theme for each school term, my son finds the after-school art club novel and interesting.
Artist Gunja is patience in teaching children with different capabilities. Children with different talents and level of skills mixed well in one class and they always bring home a picture they have drawn happily after each lesson. Some of their drawings are really brilliant. Highly recommend to join Artist Gunja’s class as a creative, fun and educational extra-curricular activity.
- Jessie, Parent
Our two daughters have absolutely loved attending the after-school art club. The classes are always creative, engaging and well organised, and it’s been wonderful to see their confidence and artistic skills grow over time.
The teacher, Artist Gunja is incredibly patient, supportive and encouraging with the children, creating such a warm and positive environment for them to learn and express themselves. Every week our girls come home excited to show us what they’ve created.
We truly appreciate the passion and effort that goes into each session and would highly recommend this art club to any parents looking for a fun, inspiring and educational activity for their children.
- Ho Doan, Parent
❊ Testimonials ❊
My son had a brilliant time at the EPC sketch club. It’s a great way for kids to explore their artistic side and see the world from different aspect. Gunja is a great teacher who makes art fun and helps child fire their creativity spark.
- Hiral Gajjar, Parent
Seriously! But don’t take our word for it, here are some things people have to say about us.
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