I hear from time to time people saying that they find still-life paintings boring. They say something like “Oh, that is just another still-life, a cup and a jar. What is interesting in it?” or “I wanted to learn painting but the teacher made us paint still-lifes. It is so boring.”
Importance of Creating Art
The art creation process is not about perfection. It is about hearing your own voice among thousands of others, discovering your own personality, and leaving a trace in human hearts.
Abstract Art from a Personal Prospective
How It Started
I started to create abstract paintings a couple of years ago. Before that, I was mainly focusing on painting traditional subjects. When you paint something from real life, like a landscape or a still life, you paint what you see. You choose colors according to your subject and use existing composition. When you use to paint what you see, you do it easily and naturally.
Abstract Art Is More Complex Than It Seems
Then, I was asked to create a series of abstract paintings one day. Of course, I saw a lot of abstract art in my life, which seemed to be a very easy task. But when I started creating it I understood that I still need to learn a lot.
I needed to think not about how to paint something on canvas using existing colors and forms but to learn to express my ideas, feelings, and emotions through colors, shapes, and textures. To speak you need to have something to say. You need to find a new source of inspiration somewhere deep inside.
In addition, you need to have enough courage to say what no one said before, courage to accept the voice of your true nature.
Every Painting Is A New Experience
I have created a lot of abstract paintings during the past couple of years. Some of them were successful, some not. I was experimenting a lot with different color combinations, designs, and ideas. It was an amazing experience that made me feel fulfilled and accomplished. And still, every time I start painting a new abstract artwork, I have no idea what it will look like at the end. Every one of them is a new surprise, a new discovery.
Gayer-Anderson Museum
It happened to me to visit a very interesting place recently. It is like a secret gem stone of historical Cairo. We did not plan to go there that day. My friend and I were planning to take children to the Child Museum but found it closed. So, my friend suggested going to Gayer-Anderson Museum.
I have to admit that historical places of Cairo have always attracted me by their walls. I can stand in front of a wall and study it for a long time. It is amazing how big stones are adjacent to each other without any binding material. These walls are standing there for centuries and hopefully will stand for centuries more.
Gayer- Anderson Museum is surrounded by such walls. It is attached to Ibn Tulun Mosque that is probably the oldest mosque in Cairo. Long time ago there was a narrow way between two buildings of Anderson’s house that led to the mosque. And for convenience of the passing people several cups with fresh water were places near one of the windows. Such small details give us a clear idea of what kind of people was living in this house: people who cared.
The house was built in 1632 by Hajj Mohammed Salem Galmam Algazzar. Gayer-Anderson started living in the house in 1935. He was a British military doctor and a person who were in love with Egypt and its culture. He was granted a permission to live in this house by Egyptian authorities.
Gayer-Anderson collected such an amazing collection of cultural objects and artifacts in the house that soon Egyptian government decided to make it a museum. These days we still can enjoy viewing all these historical objects that witnessed centuries of human life.
Gayer-Anderson was not only a doctor but also a good artist. The walls of his house are decorated with his paintings and sketches. He created portraits of his servants, and botanical and landscape paintings. He also collected Chinese style paintings that were popular at that time.
I was fascinated by the details of the house. Framed decorative tiles are on each floor, and furniture is decorated with Islamic geometrical patterns, door knobs, and metal plates. Enjoy viewing the photos. Feel free to use them as a reference for painting or drawing.
The Design Show 2023
This is a short review of The Design Show that was held in Cairo at the beginning of June 2023. It featured the most famous companies in architecture, interior and exterior design.