Between Pakistan and Afghanistan

As I mentioned in my previous post, Journey of Traditions is my new book of short stories. It was created, along with my paintings and illustrations, to accompany a future exhibition of artifacts from South Central Asia.

My story Maleeha's Dream is about a girl from eastern Afghanistan.  She is rescued by a family of Nomads, including Bashir and his grandfather (pictured below.) 

Within my illustrations you see artifacts from the collection. Below you see the gold ceremonial hat Bashir wears in the painting.

In the story, Bashir and his family set up camp at dusk.  

An Afghan Rubaab is a stringed instrument used often used by traveling musicians. It also features in the story.

The following are just a sampling of the articles from the exhibition collection. 

A camel seat made of Sheesham wood and inlaid brass.

Below, a hand stitched Ralli camel cover from Pakistan. The blue and red fabrics are intricately appliqued onto the white background!

Afghan ceremonial hat covered with hand strung beads and tassels formed over the cap.

Women's Afghan sleeve cuffs embroidered with gold wrapped thread.

Hand tooled copper milk bucket from Afghanistan

Womens Kuchi nomad dress.  (Cotton, silk and embroidery)

Koran cover or purse and pillow cover
(Embroidered silk thread on cotton)

Afghan child's dress front. Silver wrapped thread embroidery on cotton with hand beading.

(detail)

If you are interested in my fully color illustrated book of short stories go to my store "kikistrunk" on Etsy!

Click here!

Thanks for visiting and checking out my new blog!

More to come!

My new book "Journey of Traditions!"

I am so excited to introduce my new book, Journey of Traditions! It was a labor or love and it has finally arrived from the printer!

Living in Pakistan for 3 years in the late 90s gave my husband and me an opportunity to begin learning about the people of South Central Asia. It also enabled us to collect a large number of artifacts from the region.

"Journey of Traditions" is an exhibition in the making with a companion book of short stories. Little is known, in the west, about the way of life in the various tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The stories in the book intertwine with the artifacts and help bring alive and give voice to the people of the region.

Click Here for my Etsy site and to buy my new book!
Stay tuned.  More to come!