Showing posts with label artdubai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artdubai. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

7 reasons why an Artist will still stay in Business in 2021

Hey there fellow artists, here are 7 good reasons why we still are in business. However, I would advice just have an alternative line of activity for you to make a living out of too because an art, animation career is all about ups and downs even if you work for someone it is dependent upon a third layer of a luxury item. 


If promotion of your services is a necessity (the first level), advertising is only a want (the second level) and art and animation (is only the third level) and in tough economic times lets face it, even for me as a creator it is a luxury :o/


But these 7 points could brighten up the dark scene that we think impends us:

  1. The other day I noticed my friends whatsapp profile page, looked great at first glance, when I looked at it closer I saw that it was a sketch but realized my friend looked 10 years older than she actually was in that sketch. After a momentary shock I sighed in relief because I realized wow technology managed to mess up her looks. So don’t tell me technology can replace the artist’s talent? Technology can replace an engine designer/someone who has no money to replace a car engine if it conks. Technology with a lot of money could do that. But a real talent still has work to do baby and still  is needed with pay.
  2. I have been contacted in the middle of the night at times to make weird paintings sometimes. Unless its not an obscene portrayal or breaking the laws I do it for them gladly. There was this request several years ago from a person who lost love and wanted to win it back. He and his now crush only had a silent relationship on Facebook where they only communicated through pictures for whatever cultural limitations they had between them. He wanted me to make him a few series of paintings and this whole plan was so emotionally attached to him that after he met me, he trusted my art enough (that I had not yet created for him) He paid his dollars upfront across the table.
  3. There was an SOS type call one evening one among many i can list below. He was a salesman who was entrusted by his boss to get his daughter’s portrait painted as a surprise gift for her birthday. He was so desperate for his promotion he said he depended on this portrait and he gladly transferred me a 100% advance. 
  4. Talking about SOS calls here is another one she wanted to impress her Ex fiancé who blocked her off even on whatsapp and wanted to win him back by doing a portrait and gifting him. She was so broken when she contacted me I did not feel like charging her anything. But she insisted as it was a personal cause for her she wanted to pay for the gift that she believed would make things fall in place for her.
  5. Then there was a request from someone to do an oil painting in a hurry of a beautiful lady his wife. I had to hand over even before it dried. He was in that of a mighty hurry. After that I had 3 requests from him. He seemed to be wanting to impress one girl friend after another with gifting them with portraits to impress.
  6. I made a spiritual painting for my maternal uncle on one of my summer vacations to that tropical Island. The next year when I visited them, my painting was blessed by their priest and was carefully given a place next to a miraculous deity’s statue that the village folk came to worship or seek blessings before an important event they considered more auspicious if they prayed in that tiny prayer room. And I was pleasantly surprised that my painting was given a place in that room where 1000s worshipped by praying to the deity on my painting as well.
  7. I can go on with a lot of instances where artists are needed just that we need to be visible always to be wanted by our targets and fans.

Thank you and stay safe and stay skillful! :o)

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Art Dubai - a take from a local contemporary artist

To all you art enthusiasts interested in the Art world happening at the centre of the Middle-east ... a hub for art with multi-cultural interests....That is Dubai
Here is my quick run-down of our Art Dubai visit.

Sit back and enjoy while you read my take.

On the 22nd of March was the day a small group of artists visited to see Art Dubai - a showcase of galleries from about 75 countries around the world at Madinat Jumeirah.

This was the best piece I liked.....priced at about 4000 British Pound. It looked like a print....and was sold out to at least 5 buyers
We were all looking forward to the grand display of internationally acclaimed art galleries showing their world class artists' designs, art and installations.

Here is narration with my pictures I took along the way.

At the Cartier Stands

Cartier Displays were flawless and Spectacular!

The first piece we encountered....worthy of study... A strong play of mixed-media here including Gauche

Very interesting ceramic piece!

This was no photograph...but paintings!

Interestingly named with the word "blue" in its title. 

These stood apart from many other displays simply because of its monochrome colors....It was also very relaxing to the beholder.

Corrugated card board installation.

An ambience within the show which seemed complementing every art piece on display

Interesting display....I am unable to recollect the title....but sure is thought-provoking.

Interesting piece of art....well worked-upon.


A realism mixed with surrealism?

Interesting play of colors

Artistic installations from the ceiling

My most favorite installation....we noticed it right at the end....as it sat modestly waiting for everyones attention :o)

Interesting installation....makes one stop and look at thoughtfully

Abstract piece I would understand if I had spend more time at the venue

Interesting installation was definitely a crowd-puller :o)

A piece we noticed right at the entrance...with the Expo 2020 logo on it
Check out the ambience! Once again


Interesting piece....I am sure there was a great story behind it.

This installation certainly makes its presence felt....and is absorbing the light and shadow as it feels fit

Reminds me of a piece I indulged in a few months back

Lovely installation complementing the ambience....

very meaningful to many.... 

Play of color harmony to me.

Nice installation....worthy of study...

Lovely play of light, shade and depth

This piece played upon our sense of illusion. This is not a perspective shot....but a piece which actually looks like this

Interesting piece....one could capture true meaning from it

An abstract....should be really meaningful for the artist.

These pieces were priced $30000

This piece was USD120000

I saw a mirror piece which was sold out for 250000 (not sure if it was add or use). Either way the buying for of the piece was huge!! eh?

Hope you guys enjoyed Art Dubai 2014 report. So long on this same note same time next year!

Friday, March 21, 2014

An Art-trio unite in the event of Art Week Dubai

Here is a sneak peak of what some of we artists are occupied with this week during Art Week Dubai.

I have perhaps reached a moment of truth after my many years of practicing as an artist in the region.

A rare opportunity to trek as an art trio from the same home country but from 3 different backgrounds, different artistic styles and views coming together this week to share their common interests and endeavors in art.

Tomorrow I look forward to taking a trek in the arts arena with 2 other practicing Dubai artists our interests have drawn us closer over the past months. Tomorrow we are off to the financial city of Dubai (popularly referred to as DIFC) and  in and around Downtown Dubai where a number of top-name art galleries wait modestly for meaningful visits from art connoisseurs and art lovers. And indeed they have been frequented by many an art collector of fame.

The 2 of my artist friends are quite accomplished in their own right and possess their own unique styles.
Meet Manisha Andrade an Artist from Bombay - Mumbai who has her paintings owned by several collectors in the region and abroad with many of her pieces/installations in and around the city on display.
http://www.facebook.com/ManishaAndrade

Meet Nissa Riyas an accomplished persevering artist again with her paintings much in demand among a good number of art lovers. Having her upcoming shows in April and May at Lalith Kala Academy, India and in Dubai galleries respectively.
http://www.facebook.com/nissariyasartist

It is going to be a pleasure of finally going to ArtDubai with artist peers like them. Looking forward to being able to take a close look at masterpiece paintings and galleries drawing attention from around the world. Glad to know that we will be covering at least 10 galleries tomorrow.

Hopefully we will be able to manage to take another trip to the actual ArtDubai festival along Jumeirah.

More details on how it went with some supporting photographs coming up in a couple.