Denver based Palestinian artist working in charcoal, clay, and occasionally other mediums
A little bit about me...
I am Palestinian by blood, American by birth, and I spent most of my childhood in the United Arab Emirates. I currently live in Denver, Colorado where I am a substitute teacher and artist. I have a Husky/Pyrenees rescue pup named Lullaby who is the best studio pal and adventure buddy.
As often as I can, I try to immerse myself in nature - Lullaby and I are happiest out in the wild. A few of my favorite activities include hiking, camping, snowboarding, and climbing. I am also an amateur musician and love singing and playing the piano, ukulele, and harmonica. I am now fighting the urge to get a cajón - stay tuned.
Growing up, creating art was always a hobby. Once I went to college and declared an art major, my obsession grew and I used those few years to experiment with as many mediums as I could. After graduating, I pivoted from my creative space and spent most of my time working in museums and galleries. In 2022 I decided to reprioritize and dedicate time to making art again.
I find comfort in creating art; in applying charcoal to paper, or clay to wheel, or paint to canvas. I spent years experimenting with many different mediums but never fully committing. Instead, I attempted to embrace the hustle and grind of modern society which proved to be a challenge.
I started looking deeper at the world around me and I fell in love with our natural world and all it contains. That said, as I try to find my place in society, I struggle with maintaining my peace as I watch others suffer. The trauma that comes with being part of an oppressed culture runs deep, and I needed to find a better way to cope with living in a world with so many shadows.
My charcoal drawings are an outlet for my darkness and help me create space for some light. I find myself most drawn to exploring light and shadow to create form.
With clay, I connect with and immerse myself in nature. I was introduced to pottery in an undergrad class and was entranced by the spinning lump of earth that organically formed into itself between my fingers and on my wheel.
Painting challenges me the most. I enjoy working with watercolors, oil paint, and ink. In my paintings, I try to offer my favorite places and moments a new life to share. Sometimes they come together nicely, other times not so much. C'est la vie.
It's a grueling process to make sense of and accept who you are with all your parts. Being vulnerable and sharing those parts is a whole other mess, but finding a way to share them that feels true is a blessing. It's been a journey to accept imperfection and find the freedom to create, and I am thankful for the space to share who I am with you.
