Welcome to the portfolio of REHANA QADER, take a look around and let me know what you think.
The art that I paint is predominantly an indulgent personal adventure for me, a road less traveled, where the trees look like trees and the plants look like plants but something is always a little different, unusual, where I ask my self am I dreaming and why does this feel so real?
Perhaps I am painting a scene from a landscape in a place that only exists in my dreams. A tree from a parallel universe maybe or a scene belonging to another galaxy that I have visited one night while dreaming. I don't know how I got there or how I will get back but I am there and it is as if I was never anywhere else- its so real to me.
Reality/ fantasy. This excites me and invites with its mix of usual and unusual because it is not a far fetched fairytale but anything is possible in this realm, you just don't know what to expect to pop out of the trees.
I begin with a background, the colour chooses me in that moment and with it off I go. I allow the background to create into an image naturally by via the usually watery medium and my thoughtless brush strokes. I listen and watch until something calls out to me. Every time it's a new story and it tells me- just paint! Hand in hand we (me, the colours and 'instinct') all go, together down windy paths. It makes no sense where we are heading at times but we must follow instinct, until small signs start to emerge and it suddenly becomes so clear exactly where we are destined.
I personally paint to connect, release the energy. I'm a vessel, an open channel. Sometimes the faster I paint the better, the result; exciting, euphoric, something of an explosion. Often I have progressive house/ trance music playing in the background as it opens my mind up further.
My theme at present mainly seems to be around nature, animals, spirits/ entities/ forces depicted within nature. I love nature and I live by a blossom tree that I love to watch change with the seasons. This is why I chose the name Blossom tree. Another reason being; from this tree branches many things and much blossom falls too. My work produce varies greatly in style and content, you may even see some commisioned car illustrations in there too! I am not fixed in any way with my art, Its the mad hatters party and almost anyone is invited!
As a child I loved Enid Blyton book covers full of atmosphere and excitement, Peter rabbit, Narnia and Alice in wonderland.
Nature you have always been an inspiration to me and your rooted in my being! Wonderment and adoration for all that it offers and gratitude for how it allows my imagination to run free like a wild horse. When I recreate I revel in glory to the creator and all things governed by him.
Color to me is a never ending story, like a celebration and every day is my party when I paint. I believe that balance is the key and that's what makes certain a colorful painting never becomes overbearing. I am constantly feeling the colors and how they sit into the painting as a whole not just side by side
I also create portraits of humans and animals in charcoal/ coloured chalks/ inks and pastels too. These portraits are from life, still life and photographic images. I have been known to do a few commissions for people if an exciting opportunity arises and I enjoy the challenge greatly so please feel free to approach me about any.
I studied Art at college level and evening classes, then I completed a Fashion/ Textiles design degree where I practiced Fashion illustration at university.
For painting, I am mostly using acrylics on canvas but I am now exploring new media and backgrounds.
None of my work is varnished as I believe it is best the customer selects their personal preference at the time of purchase (and then I will varnish to their taste), also I like to offer the choice of bespoke prints either onto canvas or selected paper, in various sizes for those who would prefer this.
'Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man' Zhuangzi
Imitation is the biggest form of flattery. Glory to the creator of all things.
Rehana Q.
Registered: 2011-01-09
Location: Borough Of Richmond, London.