Adding Glamour to Glass - Hala Glass Art

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"Whenever I see an ancient building with coloured windows, and the sunlight reflecting the colours of the windows radiantly, I feel the stunning beauty, I sense the  dynamic natural art in it, I get engrossed in looking at it's fascinating creativity, and just fall in love with this type of glass art".

What a way to get inspired to create your own masterpieces!!

Hala Glass Art is the little space of Hala Hamza who is creating some dazzling paintings on glass items.

For centuries glass work has been an attractive form of art and has a very close relationship with Islamic Art too. Hailing from Baghdad, the once thriving city of scholarship and art, Hala brings along with her the richness of creating details to produce some classic products.


Influenced by the light coming through the coloured glass, Hala started working on glass art ten years ago and continues to experiment different techniques and plays around with colours. Today she is satisfying her customers with stimulating vases, appealing home decor items and many more.

Hala is pleased to receive custom orders to suit your needs and you can also spot Hala Glass Art at the popular QatArt Markets at Katara.


Like all technologies, glass painting has evolved over the centuries and it is lovely to see such talent growing here in Qatar. Hala is hoping to get her hands on in creating visually stimulating paintings on large areas of glass like doors and windows.


She is also keen to conduct interactive workshops on Glass Painting for anyone interested in learning this rich yet delicate technique which is becoming a tasteful hobby these days!




Check out Hala's Instagram  for her  latest work. If you want your store bought glass products to be transformed into unique decorative items that brings out rich glamour then get in touch with Hala to make it a reality.

All details about Hala Glass Art can be found at www.rush360.qa search for Glass Art

We thank Hala for sharing her passion with us and wish her success in continuing this wonderful Art!

Calligraphy Walk in Workshop - Writing Fun for Families - January

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Picture Courtesy of Cleoshows

Time for the whole family to learn something new or enhance the writing skills! Museum of Islamic Art is hosting a Calligraphy Workshop for the whole family every Saturdays in the month of January 2015.

Dates: Saturdays , January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Venue: Venue: Museum of Islamic Art  - MIA Atrium (Location at www.rush360.qa search for MIA)
What to bring: Museum of Islamic Art will provide all materials for free

Picture courtesy of Qatar Museums

(MIA Atrium is on to your left side when you enter the MIA after the security checking, on the way to the Ladies Prayer Room)

"Calligraphy is the art of forming beautiful symbols by hand and arranging them well. It’s a set of skills and techniques for positioning and inscribing words so they show integrity, harmony, some sort of ancestry, rhythm and creative fire."
(Taken from Calligraphy Skills Website)

As for Calligraphy in Islamic Art then this has a rich history! Early Muslims used to write down parts of the Qur'an and the saying of the Prophet in Parchments,

 Many of the original manuscripts of scholarly work were written and preserved by early scholars and scribes with clear beautiful Arabic writings! As years went by this art was adapted to every possible surface—from monumental stone structures to delicate silk robes—words, both religious and secular, were employed not only to impart information, but also to lend visual beauty to these works.

Do not miss this excellent opportunity to feel and experience the rich visual art of the Islamic World!

Opportunity - Workshops & Casual Art and Craft Classes at Katara

Enhance your creativity, explore the world of art with different techniques and have some fun with colours right here in Doha!

The wonderful Art Community in Doha - MAPS (Middle-east Art & Silk Painters) is having a range of workshops and casual Arts & Crafts classes for everyone for upcoming months in 2015!

Introducing many art techniques and skills these classes are catching up popularity in town due to the fact that they are reasonably priced and incredibly beneficial.

Here are the schedules and details of each session. All Classes and workshops are held at Katara Cultural Village Building 18 (Location map of Katara Cultural Village could be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for Katara) by professional MAPS Members Morning sessions are from 9am to 11.30am and evening sessions are from 5pm to 7pm. They will provide all materials needed for each workshop and class.

MAPS Members get a special reduced price for all workshops. Want to become a member? Details are here.

Workshops - January 2015

Silk Painting




Silk painting is the application of paints or dyes directly onto silk fabric using an exciting array of watercolour techniques. The colours are brilliant, vibrant and translucent and merge on the fabric which remains soft to touch.

Date and Time:
Saturday 10th January 2015 9am to 11.30am

Cost:
QR100 for MAPS members QR150 for non members







Cross Stitching
Cross Stitch is one of the easiest and interesting stitches to learn. It starts with a simple X shaped stitch that is commonly embroidered with floss on an evenweave fabric.

Dates and Timings:
Sunday 11th January and Monday 12th January 2015 at 9am to 11.30am

Cost for both days:
QR100 for MAPS members QR150 for non members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)







Gouache Art   

Gouache, which means "water paint" or "splash" in Italian, is a type of opaque watercolor paint in which the pigment is suspended in water

Dates and Timings:
Saturday 10th January and Sunday 11th January 2015 at 5pm to 7pm

Cost for both days:
QR 250 for MAPS members, QR 500 for non-MAPS members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)









Decoupage
Decoupage (or découpage) is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with special paint effects, gold leaf and so on.

Dates and Timings:
Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January 2015 9am to 11.30pm


Cost for all 3 days:
QR100 for MAPS members QR150 for non members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)







Sketching 
This type of graphite is best for creating shading and depth in drawings. Colored pencils and charcoal, along with pastels, can also be used to create sketches. Some artists also choose to use ink pens or markers.

Dates and Timings:
Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January 2015 from 9am to 11.30pm

Cost for all 3 days:
QR100 for MAPS members QR150 for non members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)

Islamic Patterns
Islamic architecture and decorative arts are still very much alive and valued in many parts of the Muslim world.

Dates and Timings:
Friday 16th, Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th and Monday 19th January 2015 from 5pm to 7pm

Cost for all 4 days:
QR 250 for MAPS members, QR 500 for non-MAPS members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)

Calligraphy    

Calligraphy is a visual art that makes use of linguistic signs to create an aesthetic experience that transcends or complements the literal embodied meaning. 

Dates and Timings:

Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th January 2015 from 9am to 11.30pm 

Cost for all 5 days:

QR100 for MAPS members QR150 for non members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)

Workshops - February 2015

Silk Painting - Advanced   

Learn the advanced skills and fine techniques of the art of vibrant silk painting! 

Dates and Timings:

Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th and Monday 9th February 2015 from 5pm to 7pm

Cost for all 3 days:
QR 250 for MAPS members, QR 500 for non-MAPS members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)

Oil Painting- Basic

In its simplest form, oil paint is a mixture of three things: pigment, binder and thinner. Pigment is the colour element, while the binder is the liquid carrier which holds the ground-up pigment to be applied to the canvas.

Dates and Timings
Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th and Friday 13th February from 5pm to 7pm

Cost for all 4 days:
QR 250 for MAPS members, QR 500 for non-MAPS members
(Please note even if you participate only for one day you will have to pay the full fee)

Additionally if you have a group of people or kids who would like to attend any of the above classes at your convenient day and time MAPS would be glad to oblige!

For registration and all other information please contact 

Tel: +974 5560 3845, +974 5501 7169

e-mail: info@mapsqatar.org 
rashmigold@yahoo.com 

Qatar Book Club - Reconnecting people with Books!

What is the Book you are reading these days? Well. be ready to hear this "What is your Book Club reading these days?"

Yes, if you are in Doha, and felt you have left your cozy living room book clubs with your friends, then do not despair! There is one in Qatar just sprouting!

Qatar Book Club is a brain child of a Qatari and French couple and was launched in September 2014 at Katara. The event was well attended and was interactive.

Details  of Qatar Book Club could  also be found at www.rush360.qa by seraching for "Book Club"

So what is it all about?

According to their website The Qatar Book Club aims to reconnect people with books and each other. It is a project by the community, for the community. 

Apart from organizing discussions on books this book club will be hosting other activities throughout the year, such as movie screenings, workshops and more in different locations. Follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook to keep upto date of their upcoming events. 

The first book discussion will be taking place on the 26th of November at the Red Velvet Cupcakery , Katara Cuktural Village at 6.30pm  where they will be reading Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar latest book “The Dohmestics”. Location details of Red Velvet Cupcakery can be found at www.rush360.qa by saerching for Cupcakes or Red Velvet.

Who can join?

If you’re an avid reader or if you've lost connection with books and want to find your way back to reading, you knocked at the right door.

To make it easier and more accessible, Qatar book club is entirely English speaking/reading and open to all.

How to join?

To become a member, you can register here. The membership costs QR150 per person , per year which can be paid when you attend one of their gatherings.

Membership gives you access to all book discussions for free, free priority access to the books bought by QBC for the discussions, and you benefit from a 50% discount on all events and workshops organized by QBC.

Not sure you want to register for the whole year? You can still attend book discussions by paying QR30 fee per session. 

Additionally Qatar Book Club has come up with something more! Yes they are going to set up Book Exchange Booths all around Qatar. Leave a book and Take a book!

One such booth is already set up at the Youth Club. Location details for this booth could be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for "Book Exchange Booth"

So here is an opportunity for you to Donate the books you do not need any more and benefit someone else!

This is a much needed initiative in Qatar and we wish all success to Qatar Book Club! Our sincere thanks to Iman Al Doubali for sharing the information with Rush360.

PS: As they set up booths around Qatar, all booth locations will be availbale at www.rush360.qa your elegant online directory and search engine!

Rashmi Agarwal - Fine Silk Artist

Qatar is buzzing with a lot of talent these days and we found a hidden mentor of Fine Silk Art. She is not only a charismatic, passionate down to earth prominent artist, but also a facilitator for budding artists. Meet the popular fine silk artist Rashmi Agarwal who has gone an extra mile of creating a platform for the professional as well as amateur artists to enhance their passion and career.


Time to sip a cup of tea or coffee and read on that chit chat we had with Rashmi!

When and where did your journey of Art begin?
Art was always my passion. Even after my management and law degree, I was enthusiastic about Art. I took Art as a profession in 2005 while I was still working.

How do you get inspired to do a project?
I can't live without painting. It soothes me like meditation and gives me energy.

When you came to Qatar in 2004 what was prevailing of Fine Silk Art here? Was it existing? 

In 2004, when I began my silk painting, there were only a handful of  silk artists in Qatar. Hardly anyone knew about fine silk art. So, I was determined to initiate silk painting as a professional art in Qatar and other GCC countries. When I started introducing it became very popular within a short period of time because of its beauty and elegance. Fine Silk Art is now known for wall hanging, home Decor and also for wearables.

Are you having a fulltime career other than being an Artist?

I worked as an Executive Officer for a Water & Waste Management company but my passion towards Fine Silk Painting took me to do this professionally as a full time Artist. 

What are the organizations and places you are working with or volunteering for with regard to Art?

I am currently a board member of USA- SPIN and Community Instructor at VCU, Qatar. I am also working at Souq Waqif Art Centre. I run my own Art Studio, while trying to develop many art courses/workshops and exhibition as the President and Founder of MAPS Qatar.  

MAPS is an organization that is helping many budding artists as well as famous artists as a platform to pursue their dreams. What really made you initiate such a non-profit organization?
Qatar is a country with a rich culture. It has a lots of potential for art. It is one of the most beautiful countries that provides many platforms for budding and professional artists to pursue their dreams. There are many people with hidden talents, I am facilitating them an engaging arena to expose their capabilities in art.

What has MAPS achieved so far?
MAPS is really fulfilling many people's dreams and nourishing their career. It is providing large scale Exhibitions and also many forms of  art workshops and classes for everyone, building their confidence and self esteem.

What is the feedback and support you are getting from the local society?
Initially we had only few members but currently we are more than 65 members just within few months. It's one of the best achievements any community can be proud of.

What are you working on right now?
I am trying to establish different art workshops and courses for beginners as well as professionals for both elders and kids with their art exposure in Exhibitions. In fact we have now started casual classes at Katara Cultural Village on many techniques and all are welcome to join and benefit. MAPS facebook page has all information about our activities.

What is the support you get from your family in pursuing your passion and community work?
Family Support is my biggest asset to achieve this success.without their support, I could not have come this far.

Enjoy some of Rashmi's elegant paintings and projects.....

Our thanks to Rashmi for taking the time to talk to us in spite of her busy schedules and we wish her all the best.

All details about Rashmi and MAPS can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for Rashmi or Artist or MAPS.

The Colours of Desert - Art & Painting Exhibition by MAPS

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance"

The Katara Amphitheater is bubbling with some breathtaking paintings bringing out the inward significance of each artwork all done by a talented group of Artists here in Doha who belong to the committed organization MAPS.

Middle-east Art & Silk Painters (MAPS) is a Chapter of Silk Painters International (SPIN), USA founded and headed by Rashmi Agarwal a popular Fine Silk Artist who has been nurturing and empowering the Art Community in Qatar.

Details of Rashmi and MAPS can be found at www.rush360.qa by simply searching for Rashmi, MAPS or Art

According to MAPS "Exhibitions and Galleries are important stepping stones for aspiring artists, and MAPS will always give our members a chance to shine before they step into the "real world" as practicing artists" And this is very evident at the exhibition of Colours of Desert which is going on these days at Katara from 10am to 10pm (from 17th October to 31st October 2014)

Here is a glimpse of what you can experience!  

Elegant Fine Silk Paintings...

Art work bringing colour to the desert...

Telling you some stories and feelings....

 Cross stitches staring at you....

Elegant patterns.....

Oil Paintings attracting your eyes and not giving you a chance to blink.....

Silk Orchids welcoming you and bringing a smile into your hearts!....

A Message for you to ponder........

And enhancing your imagination............................

Definitely worth paying a visit! Don't miss out! Applaud and appreciate the talents of  the members of MAPS and get inspired too! 

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”

 

Location of Katara can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for Katara

Katara QatArt Handmade Market

At Katara

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." We presume it is the same with this little handmade community in Doha!

Picture Courtesy of QatArt

Today QatArt consists of  over 50 talented members with different creativity skills from twenty different countries who live in Qatar. They all share the same passion and contribute to the handcraft industry with their unique products. 

Details of the QatArt Community and some of their Members can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for QatArt Community

Search at www.rush360.qa

QatArt and their members showcase their products at the MIA Park Bazaars,  and other awesome Markets that they have  every now and then. The Katara Handmade Market is a popular one and guess what? Here is an opportunity for you to see all their products made with love!

 Do not miss the dates, This market will be held on  Fridays from October 2014 to March 2015 at Katara Art Studio from 3pm to 10pm. Entrance is free! (Check their Facebook page for updates of the event dates)

Picture Courtesy of QaArt

The products are very pretty and some of them are unique. They also conduct arts and crafts workshop for the little ones on the days of the handmade market. Here are some pictures from the last Katara Market which was held in April 2014

Some beautiful stationery that looks special with a touch of beauty and creativity....

At Katara

Paper fun and Henna tattoos...

At Katara

Oil Painting .......

At Katara

Cute gift items.....

At Katara

Handmade soaps looking yummy....

At Katara

Art that makes your kids smile.....

At Katara

Camping with style......

At Katara

Elegant glass painting that bring glamour to your homes....

At Katara

Glamour to your table too....

At Katara

These pictures really do not do justice for their hard work... See it for yourself and appreciate their passion and love and support them by picking and buying their unique products.

This time there would be more beautiful products and gift items. Just walking through the market with your kids arouses the inner creativity of the kids too! 

 Location of Katara Cultural Village can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for Katara.