What a fantastic night! Exhibition Evening at the Immigration Center was a huge success. It was such a pleasure to be part of a joined exhibition of 9 artists. We had about 120 guests, live music, snacks, silent auction and several fantastic sponsors who had made this special event even more attractive.
I had a pleasure talking to many interesting people and share the experience of art and its creation. I could tell all of the stories related to my art and when and why it was created. Thank you for all kind words and compliments and thank you for taking so many fliers and business cards with you.
Each of us has presented different technique, subject, and different medium. There were oil, acrylics, pastels and liquid paint. Colors and shapes were rolling through the spacious room full of visitors in evening clothes. 
It was great to make some new friends and I hope to meet you again next year or even sooner during other types of artistic events. It was the first Exhibition Evening at the Immigration Center and there are plans in place to have it scheduled as an annual celebration of local art and artists.
Category Archives: Guests and Events
Happy New Year 2017
I would like to take an early opportunity and wish everybody Happy New Year 2017 filled with wonderful arts and crafts and sewing projects. Make the longest list of New Year resolutions and then fulfill half of them but the way that results will exceed expectations. Become an expert in one subject, learn something new, try one of those things you have always dreamed of trying. Don’t set any boundaries for your dreams and use your passion to make them real, it is never too late. Find your strength and build on it an empire of fantastic achievements. Find your way and make sure this is how people will remember you.
I have picked my next year inspiration: Water! This life-giving liquid which can appear in so many different forms and can “dress” in so many colors and shades will be a stunning source of creative imagination and guidelines. Think about your own inspirations? What is it? Write down what you think of and then surround yourself with objects which are going to drive you towards it. It will be like your “fuel station” when you fill burned out.
Heaving a great year is in the power of our minds and our hands. Celebrate life with your friends and family! Be optimistic and carry on and if you “fall” make sure to give a chance to the others to lift you up.
Best wishes from Kate and The One With Art to all of the readers and supporters.
Your Best Of 2016
I’m really surprised to hear how difficult 2016 was and I do agree that many horrible things have happened in global politics, economy, and humanity. Many famous people passed away and far too many which we never knew but I know that for many people this year was also a year of babies being born and year of first true love or year of a new chance. Before you will get on your New Year resolutions try to make a list of top 10 best things which has happened to you in 2016. Take your time and try to feel it right from your heart. When you get your first 10 you will feel that you could add another 10. There are so many things to appreciate! Then make an ornament for each of them with a hidden note and year so you won’t forget. Years ahead reading those notes will bring a smile on your face that is for sure. All is about putting things and events into the perspective. But I didn’t want to start a philosophic topic here but to bring up my 3 favorite posts of this year.
Painting for the this year Muslim Fest was so much fun. I simply love this water lily oil painting. It reflects deep darkens of green colored water and brings so much contrast with the white flower. It looks really bold on the lightly colored wall. I have some fantastic plans for 2017 Muslim Fest too and it will be great if you can share this experience with me.
This bracelet was such a good idea. It was quite a lot of work to connect all of those small pieces of chain in between but it was worth it! The result is really stunning and because of multi-color and multi-layer, I can wear it with so many different outfits. I’m planning to use this concept to some other designs and I’m sure you will like those too.
How about this post with super easy pattern making? This one was really useful. I did few different designs of T-shirts for my older daughter and later I have also sewed few T-shirts for my younger one. This pattern making technique made my day and I could produce few pieces of clothes in one day. It was worth to spend some time and cut it from paper first.
I would love to know what is your best of 2016 story? Don’t be shy and share it with me or leave a comment below for all of us to enjoy it.
Happy 3rd Birthday TheOneWithArt
I’m sure it is quite funny to you that I celebrate my blog’s birthday each year but it is not so funny to me. I take it really seriously. I run some reports and do revision on this what was posted since January, and what else would be more interesting to share before year end. Happy Birthday wishes are around those areas which I feel could be worked on harder. It always helps me to re-group and focus on those projects which will be most beneficial for my readers.
I also see TheOneWithArt birthday as my reward day and I get to eat some lovely sweet. Without further do I would love to compose this year birthday wishes to TheOneWithArt on it is 3rd birthday.
I wish for better organized time line of articles, more vibrant content and more involvement in the artistic community. If this wishes come truth you will see more fantastic TheOneWithArt next year.
This chockolate cheasecake was so lovely I had to take a piece before I got to take a picture of it :). I hope you will forgive me. Thank you for coming back and checking my new posts and if you are a new reader please subscribe and have fun with TheOneWithArt.
Muslim Fest 2016
How exciting it was to participate in the Muslim Fest 2016 Art Exhibition. You got to see my oil paintings presentation earlier so now I can tell you a bit more about the event.
I can’t appreciate enough about the high level of organization and variety of different shows starting from spoken poetry, kids songs and ending on famous singers. Food stands were fantastic and my personal favorite, clothe boutiques with middle eastern designs and fabrics didn’t let me leave empty handed.
I also loved the artist’s corner which was set up in front of Art Exhibit hall. Various artists got to book about 1.5 h and paint in front of live audience. As you probably know not many artists like this kind of exposure but I always say that best way to concur your fears is by facing them. I have obviously participated and got very positive feedback which is so important for artists.
We had to bring our supplies and small format of canvas or paper in order to complete artwork in the short time frame. This is always quite difficult. When we start painting time passes by very quickly and even small format of art can be unfinished when we concentrate on many details. I did very quick three color background and blend it with the sponge in unevenly.
Then I have painted lovely daisy in the middle. I wish I did a pink background in the center instead of white one then flower would be better visible. 
Then just a signature and it’s ready!
Artist’s corner was about promoting of artists but also about promoting of art itself. I had a lot of questions from Moms asking where do I buy supplies, where to look for courses for their kids or how to even start with the introduction to art?
My story wouldn’t be full if I did not tell you about Parya’s this year presentation in the category of Young Artist. She has prepared two acrylic paintings with bright colors and positive theme. I can’t believe they were both ready in time for submission regardless late start. As a reward this year kids got Certificate of participation – what a good idea! We are going to frame it and hang in Parya’s room. I’m so proud of her.
Muslim Fest 2016 was a successful event and I have plans for next year already. I can tell you that we will see lots of beautiful landscapes from special places in the world so please mark your calendar and come to see Art Exhibit in person or keep visiting my blog and I will show you all of my paintings as well.
Annual Report 2015
Year 2015 is over and pleased to present how The One With Art did this year. We have almost completed my goal set at the beginning of 2015. My dream was to double statistics and we almost, almost made it. Great THANKS to all of you. Your support is priceless to me and hopefully we will accomplish another double in numbers with end of 2016. Please click on the picture to view report in details. Happy New Year!
Happy Birthday – You are 2!
Hi All!
We have another celebration coming up. This is the 2nd birthday of The One With Art. I can’t believe time has passed so fast and I’m so proud because we did grow with number of views and fans, so thanks to all of you. Some of you were with me from the first day and some of you joined me just recently but all of you are amazing public!
Let’s have more fun with all of our creations and believe me I truly love what I do!
Again Happy Birthday and cake was delicious!
Handmade Bread
Welcome back to the folklore and uniqueness of beautiful Kurdistan.
I prepared short movie presenting procedure of Handmade Bread as per home recipe. This is not a usual bread recipe as you may know it. This bread is very characteristic for this region of world and tradition of making it becoming rare these days.
Please enjoy this short movie and share if you like it.
Kulaw – Sweet of Kurdistan
I’m not a big fan of cooking or baking recipes but I really have to share this one with you! This sweet is mainly made of sugar and locals in Kurdistan use it instead of sugar in their tea.
First you need to melt 3 tablespoons of sugar on the pan (no added oil or anything else!). Then you need to add half a glass of water and one glass of sugar. Melt it and boil for about 15 minutes stirring all the time to avoid burning.
Then you can add crushed walnuts, sesame seeds, coconut shreds or any other favourite condiment, maybe some spices would work too.
Boil it all for another 3 minutes and then pour it on the flat dish and leave it to cool down. Then you can try to cut it in desired shapes or simply break it down.
Enjoy it!
Nature of Kurdistan
Please look at this amazing nature of Kurdistan. This year spring was quite long and landscapes remained green until end of May. We had a chance to see beautiful open spaces with rich green grass and lots of poppy flowers.
First place which I want to show you is located near by Suleymaniah and it is called Mergapan. Please look at those amazing views! We could walk and walk for hours enjoying fresh air and warm sun, picking flowers and talking about unfortunate history of this country.
When you are far away from home kitchen or restaurant you need to be very creative with cooking. Everything is very simple but how tasty?! I wish you could smell this fried chicken with tomatoes, lemon and peppers….
Trifa forests and farming lands near by Halabja are as beautiful as mountains. My family has chickpeas plantation there and we could go almost every evening and snack fresh chickpeas and look at the sunset.
Nature is changing now. All the green turns in to the light brown and yellow colour of burned grass. It is getting hotter and hotter so we need to hide in the shade of mountains and trees. Between the hills and mountains covered with dry grass clean and cold springs of sweet water is splashing out. The most famous place for this kind of spring water, which actually comes out from the cave in the middle of the mountain, is Ahmed Awa. Tourists from whole of the Iraq, Iran and Turkey travels here to see it and have fantastic picnic in the shade of the pomegranate and wall nut trees. Little stores here and there selling folklore gifts and local restaurant provides freshly cooked food and kebab baked on the charcoal grill. You can smell it from the far distance and there is no way like stopping by for a bite.
Kurdistan which I saw and tasted so far is fresh, crisp and surprising, so much different than places which I have seen before. I’m enjoying every minute and every day and I’m sure I will come back here again. It is hard not to get in love in this place.