Jabbar Al Ghadban’s Studio

28 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, Island Tales - Expatriate Living Tags: , , , , , ,

Jabbar Al Ghadban's The Studio

I had such a nice visit at Al Riwaq the other week.  In addition to Melissa’s party, I chatted with Aaron the Canadian chef, looked at the exhibit and bought some jewelry in the gift shop.  After months of staying away from Adliya I was surprised by the number of activities planned.

Currently Jabbar Al Ghadban’s The Studio is on exhibit.  Jabbar is the founder of Ishtar Graphics.  Born in Bahrain, Jabbar studied art in Syria.  In 1989 he opened his studio next to the Bahrain Arts Society and has participated in many exhibits throughout Europe, the Middle East and China.

Al Riwaq Gallery has brought his studio into the public realm this November.  The exhibit is ending in two days on November 30th so there is only a little time left.

The Studio Nov 1-30 2011 at Al Riwaq Gallery, Adliya

Al Riwaq is located in Adliya’s renamed 338 district.  The Bahrain Arts Society is located at the Burgerland Roundabout next to Lanterns Restaurant.

Nothing Ever Comes Out of Negative Thinking – Pearl’s Wisdom

26 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, The Most Interesting Roosters - People Tags: , , , , , ,

Wishbone Tree by Pearl Fryar

“It wasn’t important to me to create a garden.  I wanted to create a feeling that when you walked through you felt differently than you did when you started.”  Pearl

When I need inspiration I watch A Man Named Pearl, a documentary about self-taught artist Pearl Fryar.  Pearl’s living art can be seen at the South Carolina State Museum or at his masterpiece, the backyard of his home in Bishopville, South Carolina.

Pearl could not move into the white neighborhood because the neighbors were afraid a black man would not take care of his yard.  Ironically it was his sharecropper father’s advice “You must find a way to rise above average” that spurred him to find his passion in gardening.

He moved far beyond planting petunias to growing plants the nursery threw away and turning them into forty-foot topiaries.   Pearl’s inspired pruning eventually got him the Garden of the Month award, but more importantly his hard work has inspired children, his neighbors, aspiring artists and gardeners – and me.

“He made me feel like there are no limits.  My age would not stand in my way.”

Pearl Fryar

This 72 year old man’s energy is regenerated by living his passion and working with nature.  The miracles he grows are simply a reflection of his belief to “make sure you use that creative ability in some way.”

And his positive energy has extended out to his community.  Pearl donated several of his trees to beautify the town.  His contribution has helped revitalize the local businesses as busloads of tourists weaving through country highways to catch a glimpse of Pearl’s garden stop to see his creations.

If you ever go to South Carolina, make the effort to see the garden of Love Peace and Goodwill.  “You can feel some kind of spirit within it,” explains one visitor in the film.  “He’s not just doing it for show.  It’s something within.”

Love Peace and Goodwill - Pearl Fryar's Garden

The Art of Making a Flying Carpet

23 Nov 2011 2 Comments

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, Island Tales - Expatriate Living Tags: , , , , , , ,

My Own Flying Carpet created by Giuse Maggi

Italian glass artist Giuse Maggi’ s exhibition is November 25 and 26.   Her pieces sell out quickly so you must get there early.

A geologist by training, like other expats, she discovered her passion for glass artistry when she and her husband left Italy to live in Saudi Arabia.  A decade later she has built up an impressive resume and a huge clientele in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

She is included in the 2000 New Glass Review.  In 2009 she won a CBS Dichroic Glass Award for her multi-layered glass designs.  Both the National Museums of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have exhibited her work.

Giuse teaches her craft to other budding glass artists.  They have exhibited their own work thanks to her.

Although I have my own flying carpet, I go to all of her exhibits.  I love her art and being in her studio.  The exhibit is at the Al Nakeel Compound Villa 28, next to Jawad Dome.  9am-6pm.

What I’d Do With a Little Potential

12 Nov 2011 2 Comments

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, The Most Interesting Roosters - People Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Potential from 2009 Curly Girl Calendar

The boys’ friend had his 11th birthday on 11/11/11.  That was cool.  Besides the Egyptians choosing to close down the Giza pyramids for “maintenance” yesterday, nothing changed in my world.  What about yours?

But Change is in the air.

I see it in the generation born in the 70s and 80s.  They believe in their creative talents and are living their bliss.  Using technology, they are building new communities based on shared passions and generosity of Spirit.

One of these 30 somethings is artist Leigh Standley.  Her Curly Girl Designs’ collages and witty wisdom captured my attention.

If you look at her website and blog, you will discover her world, where these artists, mainly women, are living their dream.  Building upon what they love, they have transformed their thoughts into things they can share/sell.

But they are doing it to create the world THEY WANT to live in:  A world where people generously share their knowledge.  A world where they congratulate each other on their achievements.  A world where they believe the more you give, the more you will receive.

Leigh is the soul sister I never knew I had.  Like me she enjoys traveling, old movies, singing, yoga and her family.  Because of all her good qualities, I don’t hold it against her that she prefers Snickers to Bounty and her dog Lucy to our dog Max.

She believes in education and magic – just like me.

And she is quite certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, she could save the world.

I love these fearless women who are smart enough to pick up a cute pair of shoes when they head out to change a few things.

Seana and Beauty Walk to the World Beat

08 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, Island Tales - Expatriate Living, The Most Interesting Roosters - People Tags: , , , , , ,

"Beauty" by Artist Seana Mallen

Beauty is an invisible essence certain women exhibit as they walk through the messiness of life.  Whether in a crowded market or an elegant café, it is how these women light up the space around them even in the noon sun.

Rushing to my 10am yoga class, I opened the door into the World Beat Fitness Center’s sunny café when BOOM I suddenly found myself whirling in Seana Mallen’s universe.  Seana was swirling around hanging up her paintings for the opening of her In Celebration of Women exhibit this afternoon.

Dedicated to her mother, a breast cancer survivor, who “lit up a room when she entered it, both by her positive personality and by bright red lipstick” Seana’s exhibit draws upon her mother’s inner beauty and all the anonymous women who color her world.

Seana is truly an ARTIST with a real CV and commissioned works around the world.  How did an international artist end up in Bahrain? – like many expat wives, her husband took a position here and she accompanied him looking at it as an opportunity to travel, paint and educate.  Here her gregarious nature and love of energy and color has turned her life into one bright spotlight.

A gifted teacher Seana set up Awali Arts as soon as she landed.  Under her guidance, many of my friends have grown from primary school type sketching to artists in their own right.  But Seana doesn’t just focus on unemployed housewives; she volunteers her time around the world helping school children create murals.  Or you might accompany her on a travel holiday painting in India, Africa or Jordan.  Or you may take a cruise and take a watercolor class from her.  And if you pop over to my house, you will see the one of the many sets of commissioned family portraits she has created.

But the easiest way to meet Seana today and until November 10th is to go have a coffee at the World Beat Café and gallery.  Maybe you will even get the chance to meet this strong, funny, enthusiastic fire-cracker who inherited all these qualities from her mother.

Artist Demi Mcleod Exhibits at the Capital Club

04 Oct 2011 1 Comment

by Eva the Dragon in Eye Candy - Art, Island Tales - Expatriate Living, The Most Interesting Roosters - People Tags: , , ,

Yin Yang by Demi Mcleod

Artist Demi Mcleod is showing her work at the Capital Club in the Bahrain Financial Center through this weekend October 6th, 2011.  At midnight the exhibition closes and she takes off her glass heels and runs back to her studio.

Demi is inspired by the things she is most familiar with – her goldfish, African animals and textures in fabrics.  In her mind’s eye they explode larger than life and that is when her alchemist side takes over.

Talk to Demi and she’ll explain how she combined a paint or an ink with a process which inevitably turns to gold.  Her works take time to develop because she experiments with materials gathered from her global travels.  Intrigued with each paints’ qualities she describes how they interacted with the light, the humidity and other colors.  Unafraid of the results she boldly moves forward.  Each layer deepens the painting creating new textures until her final vision comes to life.

Next Newer Entries

Archives

Tales by Chapter