Born in Neneveh, Northern Iraq of mixed culture from an early age he showed interest in art spending much of his childhood studying and drawing animals, birds and people. Drafted into the Army he served in the Iran – Iraq War.

Nael continued to paint while in military service and was awarded a scholarship from the Ministry of Education in Baghdad to study art in Britain. In 1983 he commenced a language and foundation art course at Southampton before being accepted for a degree in Fine Art at Duncan Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee.

This was followed with a residency at the prestigious Hospitalfield in Arbroath and it was during this time that he developed his passion for the east coast of Scotland with its contstantly changing weather and light over the dramatic coastal scenery. Graduating in 1989 he travelled to Florence after winning a scholarship from the Royal Scottish Academy (John Kinross Scholarship). Nael became a lecturer in the Fine Art Department of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art after qualifying with a MPhil in Art at Dundee and then became Artist in Residence at Anton House day centre in Broughty Ferry – a charity providing services to adults with physical disabilities.

He continued to develop his work and a string of prizes and awards followed. Among them, 1st Prize in the Dundee 800 Art competition and the Zonta International Prize, Aberdeen Arts Society.

A regular exhibitor at the RGI, RSA, SSA and SAAC his work also features regularly in numerous shows in prestigious galleries across the UK and internationally.