Oil on Canvas
If you are new to this blog, I've just published a book of short stories. I've integrated artifacts I've collected, in Pakistan, into my illustrations. The painting above is an example of one of the characters.
The girl in the portrait is named Aysha and lives in the Swat Valley of northwestern Pakistan. I painted her wearing a wedding dress, below, which I found in a store filled with vintage textiles while I was living in Islamabad.
Aysha also wears a silver necklace with red glass.
In this next painting, Aysha is entering her home, built by the men in her family, who are wood carvers. Her aunt is cooking and her grandmother is holding
her younger brother. You'll see the artifacts below that I included in the illustration.
Wooden mud shoes that Aysha wears are also used in the snow. The "uppers" are made of jute.
Above, a ceramic fire ring that is placed on the ground for cooking. It's very heavy! I found it the day before we left Pakistan. I'm sure the people with the moving company thought I was nuts!
Aysha's little brother wears a silk embroidered hat
with beads.
Below, a snow shovel, chair, window, and small table with a beautiful copper bowl. The copper wear is so beautiful in Pakistan and a lot came from other areas including the pieces made in Afghanistan and Kashmir.
I thought I'd include some other artifacts in the post that would be used in this same area of Pakistan. The next piece is obviously an iron. It's made of wood and heavy brass which is filled with coal for heat.
This hand carved cheese pot and butter turn are quite large. It's the only one I saw in 3 years of living there. I'm not sure if it's my imagination but I'm pretty sure I can still smell the cheese!
Low wooden storage chest which you can find here, as well.
Hand carved animal amulets help keep track of livestock. They are hung around a goat or sheep's neck to identify the tribe.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! Please check out my two previous posts, below.
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