1982 - Beirut: How It All Started

During the 1982 Lebanon War, as the ceasefire imposed by the United Nations broke down, West Beirut became the epicenter of relentless attacks. For two long months, the city endured a devastating siege, with its residents facing constant fear and uncertainty.

At the time, I was a school teacher living in West Beirut, choosing to stay despite the turmoil. It was a deeply distressing and challenging period, with life reduced to the essentials of survival. Yet, amid the chaos and despair, I stumbled upon an unexpected lifeline—watercolor painting. I picked up brushes for the first time, not out of a plan, but as an instinctive attempt to cope with the overwhelming circumstances.

Perhaps my tears mixed with the painting water. Perhaps the trembling of my hands under fear guided the brushstrokes. And perhaps, in the shadow of so much destruction, my creativity was fueled by an unyielding resilience—the kind that arises when one is unsure if the next moment will come. Each stroke was a fragile yet defiant act, a quiet reminder that beauty and expression could still exist in a world torn apart.

Looking back, those moments of creation on the balcony, when safety permitted, were priceless. They were a testament to resilience and the human need to find meaning, even in the darkest times..

Special Plein Air Experience

"The term 'plein air,' derived from the French language, eloquently signifies the act of  creating art in the open air, capturing the essence of nature on canvas.

In the warm embrace of August 2012,
I made a deliberate choice to immerse myself in a 'plein air' experience using watercolors. Navigating the scenic route to Banff on a serene Saturday, I relished a tranquil evening in preparation for the artistic journey that lay ahead. As dawn graced the early hours of Sunday, I traversed the bridge to the mountainside, discovering a breathtaking spot that promised solitude, an intimate connection between me, myself, and moi. It was a moment of sheer awe.

Ensuring preparedness, I checked my bear pepper spray and set up my small easel, securing my beloved Canson paper. With water within arm's reach and steaming coffee in hand, the stage was set for perfection in motion.

Excitement filled the air as I unveiled my new watercolor kit, specially curated for the traveling artist. The time had come to revel in the experience, expecting nothing less than the finest. However, my enthusiasm was met with an unexpected obstacle when my preferred blue color proved dry and unyielding, resembling a rock. Frustration led me to express my discontent with a string of French words, the choice of which I'll keep PG-13.

The same disappointment awaited me with the other tubes—no paint, Mafi, Nada, Zilch, Comprende!

Undeterred, with no tools at my disposal, I resorted to resourcefulness. Employing a stone, I crushed the tubes, extracting color dust to salvage what I could. In the end, I managed to procure a semblance of black and green, perhaps with a touch of blue.

This endeavor, while challenging, reflects my sincere effort. Your understanding is appreciated, for in the face of adversity, I gave it my all."

First Acrylic - Introduction to Acrylic

My First Pastel… One Day

Iconography & Egg Tempera

My first Icon and My first Egg Tempera

"Spending two weeks in a serene religious community nestled in the mountains of Lebanon was a truly uplifting experience for both my soul and my art. During this time, I was introduced to the timeless art of iconography. While I wasn’t rubbing shoulders with the great Renaissance masters, it felt as close to that as one could imagine.

I learned the ancient technique of egg tempera painting, a meticulous and spiritual process that added a new depth to my artistic practice. Most excitingly, I had the honor of writing my very first icon—a deeply fulfilling milestone. I look forward to exploring this sacred art form further in the future."