Lub-Dub|The Drawings
Posted on August 13, 2010 Leave a Comment
the spiraling flower
When I started the video Lub-Dub, I decided to use tracing paper which I thought would be both versatile and practical (since I don’t use proper animation software). I also love the fierce crinkle, especially after being heavily sketched on (I did suffer not a paper scratch, but a vicious paper stab-never crumple up heavy tracing paper, it creates very, very sharp and dangerous points) As the work progressed, any discarded drawings were sloppily placed to my left, creating a glueless 3D collage. And as reliable as ever, my camera was to my right and ready to be clicked.
Lub-Dub by Caustic Temple Monkeys a.k.a. Ali Alsarraf
Posted on August 11, 2010 7 Comments
Click here for more Caustic Temple Monkeys tracks. Read More
Dar Al Funoon Charity Exhibition 2010
Posted on August 9, 2010 6 Comments
the world's second best juggler, 2010, watercolor and ink on canvas, approx. 12 x 16 cm
In October Dar Al Funoon will be hosting its second Bayt Abdullah exhibition to generate funds for the children’s hospice, commissioned by KACCH to provide specialized care for children who are not expected to reach adulthood. Works will be sold at a token price so don’t miss it! I’ll post the details and a map closer to the exhibition opening.
Mead Academie Sketch Diary
Posted on August 8, 2010 Leave a Comment
I bought this large 14 x 11 inch notebook from a stationary shop in New York in 2002. It’s perfect for pencil sketches but of course I like to use it with any writing or coloring tool I can get my hand on. I still have many blank pages left because I’ve decided to just use pencils on it which I rarely do. But I will. Read More
From the Bspot|Latifa|Originally Posted August 16, 2009
Posted on August 7, 2010 Leave a Comment
A year ago, my Aunty Latifa died after a long, on and off battle with breast cancer. I have a few sketches which either remind me of her, or were influenced by the way I felt concerning her at the time. I was never really close to my aunt, but we did share some one-on-one moments and we did make each other laugh sometimes. But when she became really sick towards the end (she was in a vegetative state for over a year), that is when I developed this strange one sided relationship with her. Because I visited her quite early in the morning, I was usually alone with her in the room. And then it felt like it was just me and her, like I could tell her my innermost secrets and she would understand. Whereas before I would never have been comfortable just holding her hand or stroking her hair, it was second-to-nature when she fell ill.
It’s been two years now and seems way, way longer. She has almost entirely disappeared from my life and my imagination. I don’t mistake anyone’s voice for hers and my mind has stopped playing tricks on me where she’s concerned. She’s almost completely gone. But I don’t think I’ll ever erase her number from my phone.
Mishref Sketches
Posted on August 5, 2010 2 Comments
the art of sinking slowly into jello molds, 2010, watercolor and ink on paper, 10cm x 15cm
A Portrait of Simon Balsom
Posted on August 4, 2010 7 Comments
a portrait of sb, 2010, oil on canvas, 50cm x 70cm
Well, the painting is done. I’m happy with it as my first oil painting in decades. I’m not going to bother too much about resemblance or even technique. I’m just going to tell myself what I tell everyone I ‘teach’: You will only get better with every painting you do. Oils. Wow. Me. Read More
New Portrait|Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh
Posted on August 3, 2010 4 Comments
I started a portrait of my son, Yousef this morning. He insisted on wearing a suit because he wanted to give his children something ‘to remember him by’. He’s only twelve. Read More
Cluster Bomb
Posted on August 3, 2010 2 Comments
cluster bomb, 2010, watercolor and ink on paper, 10cm x 15cm
The Teabag Prophecies
Posted on August 1, 2010 1 Comment
About a year ago I started collecting teabags because I loved the organic-ness of a used and dried up bag of tea. I also love repetition and the linearity of things. There is something very regimental and military-like about any ordinary object or human being stacked side by side; almost but not altogether uniform. I brought this back out today and restarted work on it with help from my sister, Yasmine, who took all the pictures except for the ones with her in them, obviously. Read More
The Bulletin Again
Posted on July 29, 2010 Leave a Comment
the first layer is a laminated picture by yousef abu-ghazaleh. the second layer is an un-stapled feathered crown by amalie modeen. next is the final stage from my slideshow 'balloons', and finally some cutouts from 'ghosts of things'
There’s something to say about random placement, even though I’m not sure if things are placed randomly by any adult. I have my handy, huge bulletin board in front of me which I occasionally find a place to tack items which are miscellaneous or difficult to place in a proper container. So I end up having this ever-changing board with infinite future possibilities. Read More
Portrait of Simon Balsom|Day 2
Posted on July 28, 2010 2 Comments
the painting after session two. i need to keep reminding myself that i’m working with oils and not acrylics. i’m enjoying this very much, if only sometimes for the smell of the paints. it takes me back to new york 1990
Lost, Found & Fake
Posted on July 28, 2010 2 Comments
When I work, I sometimes like to fantasize that the piece I’m drawing, painting or collaging was somehow found during an archeological dig or the excavation of a thousand year old church or accidentally under a mound of volcanic ash. I don’t know why I’m so obsessed with antiquities and all things with a history. Maybe it’s because I live in a region devoid of a material, tactile history where it’s out with the old and in with the new and shiny. Everything’s plastic and dispensable and I find myself creating new olds.
Dressed to the Eights
Posted on July 26, 2010 4 Comments
I finally watched Burton’s Alice in Wonderland last night. I just fell in love with Alice’s dresses, designed by costume designer Colleen Atwood. These sketches were inspired by her dresses. Read More
Caught in the Pod
Posted on July 25, 2010 2 Comments
Sometimes we’re on a roll. But we wreck it by doing too much for too long, whether it’s work or play. I have found myself not being able to stop painting, drawing, or doodling. These past three days have been crazy and I find it hard to stop. I’m working on a video, large acrylic, small oil painting and these little postcard watercolors. I need to do the dishes, take a shower, water my plants and visit my brother in hospital. Instead, I’m here playworking, caught in the pod.
Shabby Chic Chicks
Posted on July 24, 2010 Leave a Comment
I’ve always loved the look of dilapidated buildings, especially when the inner walls had once been papered or postered. So Rachel Ashwell.
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