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“This Sweet Simple Existence”…Daily Art Project 2026- February
As part of my daily art project 2026, “This Sweet Simple Existence”, I am painting one painting a day and at the end of every month I will be reflecting on my experience of that month’s daily painting experience.
I started off the year quite ambitiously, painting on canvas primarily with water mixable oils. However, by the end of January, I found myself burnt out. Painting on canvas always comes with a lit bit of pressure and perfectionism requires a measure of preparation such as prepping the canvas with gesso and some forethought in terms of composition.
“This Sweet Simple Existence”…Daily Art Project 2026- January
Late last year, I had decided to embark on a rather daunting project. I would make 2026 my year of living creatively, my year of daily painting, a personal art project called “This Sweet Simple Existence” focused on painting objects (whether still life, food, household objects, etc), images and scenes from everyday life to showcase the magical and extraordinary in the seemingly mundane daily existence.
2026 Wall Calendar “A Year of Mushrooms” 8.5 x 11”
If you're a mycology enthusiast, you're going to love this calendar!!! The 2026 Wall Calendar "A Year of Mushrooms", is a collection of 12 mushroom illustrations, lovingly hand painted in watercolors by Asil Rashid. Each page showcases the mushroom that can be foraged during that month, comprising a combination of well-known favorites and others you may not have seen before! There are also some interesting tidbits of information included about each mushroom. The calendar is 8.5 x 11" which makes it a convenient size for any space in your home. Printed on premium 250 gsm coated silk paper with vibrant colors, a spiral binding in the center and a drilled hole for hanging.
The “Southwest” Collection, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 12” x 12”
“Southwest” collection, a series of 5 acrylic paintings on 12” x 12” canvas, depicting the beauty of the Southwest region of the US. Read my blog post about the process of creating those paintings.
“Coasts of North America” Collection, Original Acrylic on Canvas, 12” x 12”
“Coasts of North America” collection, a series of 5 acrylic paintings on 12” x 12” canvas, depicting the beauty of the North American coasts. Read my blog post about the process of creating those paintings.
“Lilies in the Morning”, Acrylic on stretched canvas, 24” x 36”
Blog post about the process behind my acrylic floral painting, "Lilies in the Morning", acrylic on stretched canvas, 24" x 36"
“Beauty All Around Me”, mixed media (water mixable oil and acrylic) on stretched canvas, 36” x 36”
Read about the concept and inspiration behind my latest painting, "Beauty All Around Me", mixed media (oil and acrylic) on stretched canvas, 36" x 36"
Monstera on Pink, water mixable oil on stretched canvas, 18” x 24”
“Painting Small and Often” Collection, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, 9” x 12”
I had recently came across Carol Marine’s book “Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often to Become a More Creative, Productive and Successful Artist”. It was exactly what I needed, as I was starting to feel stagnant with a botanical painting I’ve been reworking over and over. I wanted to break out of the rut and dive into more dynamic, expressive work full of quick, energetic and textured brushstrokes, which is my favorite way to paint.
Sketchbook-ing and perfectionism
For many years now, ever since I started my art journey, I’ve kept sketchbooks. Those sketchbooks were my mini canvasses when I just didn’t feel up to painting something large scale.
Noureen, portrait, acrylic on canvas board, 12” x 12”
A few days ago I took an old 12” by 12” canvas board on which I had done a painting from a tutorial years ago and I applied a layer of gesso to it in preparation for a new painting
RAW Artists Showcase Levitate February 2024
Underwater Dreams
Five steps from the shore,
I dive and enter another world.
A world defined by silence and riotous color
On Sudan
My land, my home, my African heart
You gave me language, character.
You straddled two worlds like a giant.
To My Younger Self
One day you will think,
“I am a fuse in the centre of an armed camp.”
One day you will feel like the panther in Rilke’s poem,
First Love
You walked into my garden much later in life.
I didn’t expect that.
After we’ve lived way past all our illusions
Forever…
Forever is the word we whisper to our children
As they fall asleep to the sound of sonic booms.
It is the only gift we can give them, a promise of continuity
Raw Artists LEVITATE Art Showcase Feb 3, 2024
Once again, I’ve been selected to showcase my work in the upcoming RAW Artists Levitate Art Showcase on February 3, 2024 at Theatre Paradoxe.
Still life with Cactus, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas 12” x 16”
I find myself increasingly drawn to still life, perhaps due to its relative feasibility. After all, I do not really have to contend with atmospheric perspective or portraying distance as I would with landscapes.
Magnolia Studies - Garden Blooms Collection- Acrylic on stretched canvas 10” x 12”
My next paintings is a set of 2 small magnolia studies painted with acrylic paint on stretched canvas that I stretched myself, both 10" x 12". The first painting is called "Magnolia Study I", loosely based on a royalty free image.