Tag: mixed media art

To do or to dodo, that’s the question.

Zee's work is a sight to behold. As seen at June ARTE fair.

Zee’s work is a sight to behold. As seen at June ARTE fair.

Keeping an eye on Zee's rainbow of talents, skills and ideas in her art

Keeping an eye on Zee’s rainbow of talents, skills and ideas in her art

With the dodo being extinct, Zaahirah (ZEE) got to work to bring it back to life through her art. Thank you Zee!

For those who do not know what the dodo is, a bit of history may help. The dodo is an extinct bird (made extinct in the 17th century due to the Dutch invasion, it is believed). It was only found in the land of Mauritius. Read more about the dodo on Wikipedia.

The extinct bird, comes alive, as part of Zee arts paintings.

The extinct bird, comes alive, as part of Zee arts paintings.

The reason you will see the dodo featuring in Zee’s work is this talented artist is from Mauritius. She derives a lot of inspiration from her hometown, which she then translates into her artwork.

Can you spot the dodo?

Can you spot the dodo?

You just have to google for Zee Arts and the online search map is dotted with her art exhibitions around the world, from Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) and UK-London. She was the recipient of “Oscar de la Jeunesse 2001” in Artistic Pursuit organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mauritius.

Stairway to heaven? The whole canvas is snowwhite with this surprise of vibrant bouquet growing at the edge of the stairway. Takes one's breath away.

Stairway to heaven? The whole canvas is snowwhite with this surprise of vibrant bouquet growing at the edge of the stairway. Takes one’s breath away.

What is so great about her art is her absolute flexibility in using a variety of materials (mixed media). She has the knack to blend together in harmony amongst the ‘amalgam of colours.’ She says, “It is the only time that I feel the real freedom- a sense of peace acumen and inner conversation to myself.”

The amalgam of colours in Zee's artwork sets the heart on a vibrant frequency

The amalgam of colours in Zee’s artwork sets the heart on a vibrant frequency

The other aspect of Zee is her involvement in philantropic causes and social issues, involving women and children. My paintings are “a sense of reflection, reconnection or celebration,” she says.

A close up of Zee's work that uses an assortment of materials.

A close up of Zee’s work that uses an assortment of materials.

Visit ZeeArts website.

Join ZeeArts Facebook page. It is dotted with all her recent laurels in the media.

Touching lives – the late Alvin Apolonio

The late Alvin demonstrating the basics of watercolours

The late Alvin demonstrating the basics of watercolours

At ARTE, artisans come together not only to sell their handcrafts to the public, but also to support each other in one’s journey. Jan D’Sa, artist-designer-sculptor-writer and owner of both Janys De and the Cultural Arts Travelogue, has such a story to share.

“I was a repressed creative for nearly 20 years, allowing my sketches and paintings to be viewed by my own two eyes and no one else’s. I also threw my performing artist and musician garb into the metaphorical dark alley and retreated into my shell. I became a very shy and reserved person.”  Those who know Jan since she joined ARTE in its early days may probably remember that shy girl.

Jan, instead, chose to showcase her creativity through secondary artforms, i.e. through writing, through salt dough mini-sculptures (below) and wire crochet jewelry making.

Painted Salt Dough sculptures by Jan D'saPainted Salt Dough sculptures by Jan D'saPainted Salt Dough sculptures by Jan D’sa, in 2006

Then one day in 2011, a Philipino artist by the name of Alvin Apolonio, showed up at ARTE with paintings that awoke a dormant artistic volcano within Jan. Like many repressed creatives, she was felt a lot of fear in painting again. “I decided to attend an art workshop that Alvin Apolonio held, in conjunction with Carrie Wareham, Black Sheep Art Studio (an ARTE member). It was just so that I could work past this block that I had.”

The late Alvin with one of this fabulous painting.

The late Alvin with one of his fabulous paintings.

“I will never forget what Alvin told me as I started to use the paintbrush after 2 decades and struggled to hold it with confidence.” Alvin said, “I look forward to seeing your art. You have it in you. Just a bit of practice.””

The late Alvin showing the students the basic watercolour washes

The late Alvin showing the students the basic watercolour washes

Eight months later, this April 2012, Jan finally showed her art to the public for the first time at ARTE. Sadly, Alvin was not around to see it. He had passed away in the Philippines after a brief illness early this year.

“I was devastated as were many other artisans who regarded Alvin not only as a versatile painter and artist, but a friend. I had also experienced another artisan pass away a day after Alvin passed away (she was a jewelry designer), so the devastation of 2 creatives passing away was quite a strong experience.”

Astral Eclipse by Jan D'Sa. Done with the non dominant hand and was a very spontaneous painting

Astral Eclipse by Jan D’Sa. Done with the non dominant hand and was a very spontaneous painting

Spontaneous painting done with the non dominant hand featuring Arabic letters. Jan D'sa.

Spontaneous painting done with the non dominant hand featuring Arabic letters. Jan D’sa.

latest photo at ARTE souk, showcasing Janys De wire crochet sculptures, pendants, with the paintings in the background.

Latest photo at ARTE souk, showcasing Janys De wire crochet sculptures, pendants, with the paintings in the background.

These days Jan has allowed her music and theatrical expression to show itself, though in small, monitored doses.  She has also mustered courage to step out and  give workshops in creative writing where the art of spontaneity and reconnection with one’s creative self are key.  She has dared to create mixed media work where she combines various art and handcraft techniques such as wire work, crochet, acrylics, decoupage and clay. “All because Alvin reminded me that the secret to living more is by creating more.” Whenever Jan gets stuck as a creative, she remembers Alvin’s words and pushes beyond borders into the realm that only other former repressed creatives know of.

A skull sculpture in the making - will be ready in time for July ARTE

A skull sculpture in the making – will be ready in time for July ARTE. Creatively tapping into her love for forensics, anatomy and dark humour.

Visit Janys De website (to be revamped soon), Janys De blog, and Janys De facebook page.

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Has an artisan changed your life beyond what you expected? Let us know how and you could be featured.

Press! Pink Poodle & La Vela Candles

March 2012:  Congrats to both Nick Roberts from Pink Poodle and Lakshmi Sukumaran of La Vela Candles. These two regular ARTE vendors were recently interviewed by Abu Dhabi’s The National newspaper.

The writeup on Pink Poodle. Thanks Nick Roberts for sending in the actual scan article.

The writeup on Pink Poodle. Thanks Nick Roberts for sending in the actual scan article.
The writeup on Pink Poodle. Thanks Nick Roberts for sending in the actual scan article.The writeup on Pink Poodle. Thanks Nick Roberts for sending in the actual scan article.

 

 

You can also read the National article on Nick Roberts’ handcrafted work online, titled: Quirky mixed media art from Pink Poodle.

Our next talented eco lover vendor featured is La Vela Candles. Read the National article online, titled: Luxury, ecological soy candles from La Vela.  Visit La Vela on facebook for a fragrant (and healthy) whiff of the soy candles.

 

 

Lakshmi Sukumaran, Founder and Owner of La Vela Candles. Photo by ARTE.

Lakshmi Sukumaran, Founder and Owner of La Vela Candles. Photo by ARTE.