Category: Reflective Journal

Reflectively written blogposts that allow me to ponder on my research and experiences to conceptualize ideas for future direction

Expanding my horizons

I love Jeddah, I sincerely do. It’s been the place where I discovered my own strength and independence, and it has become home for me. So it hurts when I admit this, but arts and culture are severely impeded here. That is not to say that there is nothing artistic or cultural happening here, there is! There are numerous art galleries, art classes, bazaars and one-off music/film/comic conventions taking place. They just aren’t advertised so as to be accessible to all, since freedom of speech and behavior is slightly restricted here, and people don’t want to get on the wrong …

Symposium 1

Objects and spaces can tell a story as well as any person can. In fact, like in Daphne Du Maurier’s “Rebecca”, interactions in the surroundings can illustrate a character more thoroughly than the presence of the character itself. Human expression is no doubt very impactful; the reason why portraits can be so mesmerizing. But I feel inspired by the challenge of capturing a tale in letters, objects, textures and colors. I want to capture that nuance of a feeling that makes us attribute a personality to an empty chair, or memories to a landscape. I want to capture that stream …

Poldark and reading lists

I know. I know. It’s just so unbelievably tempting to waste time once the kids are asleep! And come on, Poldark is simply brilliant; the way it immerses you in a completely alternate world. Come on, watching inspirational, artistic period dramas has got to count for something? XD But, I did get one concrete thing done. I’ve been scouring the internet to create my own list of books I’d like to read this first year as I develop my ideas and my art further. Here they are: Letters to Theo by Vincent Van Gogh The Principles of Art History: the …

Day Three

I know things normally begin from day 1. But you see, I already spent day 1 and day 2 confounded with disbelief. Let me explain. 9 years ago (gosh I feel old!) every thing I had ever worked towards basically went to hell. Our lovely cultural mindsets, an inexplainable lack of finances and a completely unforeseen disaster (in the shape of breast cancer afflicting my mom), systematically broke down every step I had taken towards my dreams in the first 18 years of my life. At that point, I guess I could have taken a step back, evaluated the situation …