Because of my father's job, we were nomads for two decades, living in a new country every few years, going to new schools, saying goodbye to old friends and making new ones. Home was wherever we ended up, and after many years of living this way, maybe we'll always be nomads at heart.
We lived mostly in the Middle East, and the place that sticks in my mind the most is Damascus. We lived there for four years in a house with a garden that had orange trees and jasmine bushes in it. This is a Klee-inspired piece of my memory of Damascus, seeing spires of mosques amidst the dusty hills, hearing the muslim call to prayer several times a day, it's all mixed in with my memories of going to an American school, having a Dutch best friend, being kicked out of the school production of Annie for bunking rehearsals, and being selected to represent my school in a geeky inter-school brain box competition in Egypt.
Remembering Damascus brought back good memories. And now they're mixed in with this drawing too.
Pastels on craft paper
12 comments:
The way you've captured the light here is astonishing! I like the mix of styles too!
Really delicious ... so pleased I've discovered your work!
I'm with crafty green poet. I can almost feel the warm, low-in-the-sky sun on my right arm. It seems magical to me how you did this. I also am really taken by the contrast between the intricate swirls and the "plane" shapes. Makes me smile.
delightful!
How beautiful! The light and colors are actually dancing across the page.
This is really lovely and warm. It must have been great to see so many countries, but I suppose difficult to say goodbye each time.
What a beautiful way to capture a memory! I love your use of shape and light. There is something very ancient, yet new about this piece. Lovely!
i can so imagine a mini version of you causing havoc in annie!!! heehee! this is one of my fave pieces you've ever done you know!!! it is so warming and the scene and place fit in so well with those hot colours. i also love the light and shadow on the building, it seems as though there is so much light going on in this picture, in the early evening, that i can almost imagine the sounds and the people and places and happenings beyond the borders of it all!!! wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is beautiful. It makes me dream.
I love, love, love , love this work. beautiful! the background reminds me of Klimt too.
Your story of damascus is wonderful. I am glad you look back with so much warmth and fondness filling your heart.
Nina xx
p.s You got kicked out of Annie for bunking off rehearsal. Now, where were you? :-) snogging in jasmine bushes? hi hi :-)
Your drawing and story are so beautiful... just showing how art and life and memory are inextricably entwined. I was at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena and your work evokes the colors and style of many of the masterpieces presented. So inspiring!
Yep - definately one of the best.
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