Unruly Hair
Posted on March 23, 2010 6 Comments
I like to flatter myself by thinking that I am Katy’s collaborator. Ok, sidekick. I’m Katy’s every-now-and-then part time sidekick. Ok, Ok, I’m just a stupid fan. This is one of three sketches I drew specially for Katy’s latest Unruly post.
For the full body wax, go here.
Aunty Ghosts
Posted on March 23, 2010 Leave a Comment
aunty ghosts, 2007, acrylic on canvas, 91cm x 152cm
Period
Posted on March 23, 2010 2 Comments
period, 2007, acrylic on canvas, approx. 180cm x 120cm
I painted this one over an older painting. I know, you should never ever do that but I did and felt much better after I did it. Only a fraction of the original painting shows through and that’s the figure you see sitting in the pillow. I was never happy with the original painting. It consisted of different incongruous elements, and unbeknownst to me at the time, was the cause of a very bad taste in my mouth. Only when I defaced it did I realize that I didn’t like the painting at all.
For more paintings of the same period and style (2007), please click ‘more’. Read More
New Color
Posted on March 21, 2010 3 Comments
compass, 2009, charcoal on linen
A week ago, my friend Simon Balsom and I were talking about colors. I was griping about all these products coming out, marketed as being revolutionary and cutting edge. So I said that what would really blow me away is if someone discovered a new color.
Two days ago, Simon called me and said that he found a new color. I was skeptical but my interest was piqued. So he told me this story:
At work, a man came through to Simon’s first floor office on a little tour of the premises. He then went back downstairs. A little later he returned upstairs to Simon’s office and stood in front of this picture which is hanging near his desk, and said, “There are a million works of art in the world, but when I saw this I saw something different. It was like seeing art for the same time. It was like someone has created a new color.”
From the Bspot|Fashion Fascists|Originally Posted August 11, 2009
Posted on March 21, 2010 Leave a Comment
You and I see things differently. A chewed apple in my mouth tastes different than a chewed apple in yours. You may love shoulder pads, but to me they are a representation of a decade best left behind.
Cultural Re-Expressions 101 Complete Collection
Posted on March 20, 2010 Leave a Comment
sharbika, 2003, acrylic on canvas, 185x325 cm
Homes:The Early Bird Jabriya
Posted on March 18, 2010 Leave a Comment
the early bird is a quaint, little restaurant with bite
Homes: Hanan Algharabally & Tareq Alkandari
Posted on March 18, 2010 4 Comments
um kulthum presides over tareq and hanan's lounge. to her left is a lovely pot of orchids
to um kulthum's right is a painting by tareq titled 'inside out'. tareq and hanan have a very structured and modern home. i love the way um kulthum serves as a break in the linear aspects of tareq's painting and one of the windows to her left.
Traffic Lights & Other Observations|Sleep & Wake
Posted on March 16, 2010 3 Comments
click on ‘more’ for previous pages Read More
From the Bspot|Ramona the Pest|Originally Posted on August 5, 2009
Posted on March 14, 2010 Leave a Comment
Who remembers Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby? The Ramona books were among my favorite in the third grade. And I loved the illustrations by Alan Tiegreen. His Ramona had skinny legs and a big head with a bob of scraggly hair. The books epitomized the way I thought life should be at the age of 8. This particular sketch reminded me of the way Ramona would storm out, fists clenched and one particular incident with apples in the basement. It’s a scene where Ramona finds a crate of apples and takes one bite from each and discards it. Her theory is (or it could have been something her sister, Beatrice, told her once) that the best bite of an apple is the first.
My Color Sketchbook
Posted on March 13, 2010 4 Comments
A few years ago I bought a sketchbook. At the time I couldn’t find these sketchbooks in Kuwait so would buy them in Europe or the States. It was always special when I bought a new one and I took very good care that the books were themed by medium and state of mind. This particular sketchbook was very emo-oriented as opposed to being whimsical like my other ones. I think most of it was filled using Japanese poster paints. The book itself has a very antique, rugged feel to it, like it had been left out in the rain and sun. I haven’t filled all the pages yet, but I hope to some day. Read More
From the Bspot|Fruitcake|Originally posted October 4, 2009
Posted on March 13, 2010 Leave a Comment
forbidden fruitcake
Why do we accept fruitcakes? Well, it’s not my tradition to receive a fruitcake once a year but there was once an attempt at gifting me one and I refused politely. I matter-of-factly stated that neither I nor my children will eat it and it will go to waste.
When did we, as humans, learn to accept behavior unacceptable to us? Why can’t we just be honest about stuff that shouldn’t even get us in trouble in the first place. If I don’t want a cookie I should be able to say no and the offerer should be able to process that ‘no’ is a refusal and not a stab at coyness.
If I don’t like someone, I should be able to tell them and it shouldn’t provoke offense. I’d want someone to tell me that they don’t like me (they’d have to actually not like me). Not out of the blue, but if I’m pushing to be their friend and they don’t really want it, they should tell me. No offense would be taken. And why do we insist on taking someone’s number when we meet them. I stopped taking numbers, unless I genuinely want to call. I have become almost rude about it.
So try not to be a fruitcake. Be with people you like, eat what you like, sleep when you want (and you can), and do whatever you wish without hurting others. Merry Christmas in October!
prettygreenbullet 