Featured Artist - Anastasia Wahalatantiri

now .. let's get to meet another interesting lady .. but we will have to travel to meet her

I am determined to travel and meet her personally and get to learn from her

But she was kind enough to accept our invitation and be our guest and featured artist for this week

The lady we're talking of is non other than the amazing Anastasia Wahalatantiri from Sri Lanka

I was so thrilled when I finally caught her on facebook

YES .. caught ..

I saw her work many times on the internet and I felt this is one of the most worthy pieces of quilled creations anyone can take a look at

and you will know why ..

she created her own style and designs ..

but I won't say more .. you'll get to know yourself now :)

shall we meet the quilling queen ?

of course .. you have to catch this chance too :P

* Please introduce yourself to the members :)

I am from Sri Lanka a beautiful Island in the Indian Ocean. There isn't a particular group, Organization or society for quilling in my country but every art and craft school teaches quilling as a subject and also in art/craft classes in school. And I am proud to say the students hear are very clever at it.

* When did you start quilling?

I started quilling about three years back and it was by chance. There was a quilled rat in a magazine that I came across, but did not take much notice and forgot all about it. One day when I was bored of all my other hobbies and wanted to do something new, I remembered the paper rat and new it was done with strips of paper, but did not know how. I had no access to a computer so did not know about quilling then. I thank the Gods for that, cause that is what inspire me to quill the way I do. Anyone going through my quillings would realise that it is way out of the traditional quilling method. They are all my very own creations done by experiment.

* What are your main sources for learning?

I use the Internet now for most of my information on arts and craft. I have enrolled in a many quilling groups and made friends with many quillers around the world. So I share and learn from them and also get lots of tips and ideas of quilling but never copy an other's project. I always do something original. So I get satisfaction and pride of my work.

* Do you think quilling supplies easy to find?

Quilling supplies are available at some of the arts and craft institutes in my country and is no big deal. But many quillers and myself in particular like to do it with what source available. My motto is "turn out beautiful objects with the least cost". I teach anyone who wants to learn it, free and mostly to the underprivileged. So I use the least costly material and tools. My tools are all made by me and all my quillings are done with 1/8" strips cut from A4 coloured paper. My students too do the same. It is a long story and anyone care to know, can visit my blog to find out how:)

* We want to know you as an Artist :)

I can say I am a borne artist. May be from the age of seven or eight I have been doing various handicraft. I never through off junk without a second thought of how I could make use of it to turn out some handy craft. My crafts are many. From any type of handcraft I also do Saree paintings and cut work. Cooking,dressmaking etc.

* Does your art affect your life in any way?

I am a housewife with 2 married children and a little grand child of a one year old, who run their own homes. My husband is a very busy executive in a leading firm in the country and often goes abroad on business. I have all the time in the world for my hobbies. There are times I skip meals and work late at night as I get so involved in my work. My hobbies are my life. It gives me so much happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment in life.

* Do you attend or give workshops ?

No I don't attend workshops or give any. But teach or help out anyone who asks or need it.

If you can tell us the main benefit from this art? what would it be?

I have gained a lot from art. It is mostly self satisfaction and the friends I have made around the world because of it.

* How can the members view your creations or contact you?

I would love to share my blog with all of you cause you may get to know about my many crafts and little tips on how to do them too.

http://www.anastasiaw.blogspot.com/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/laktile

Anastasia was very kind to give us her time and finally she added:

I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity and be glad if members from your community can learn something from me

Thank you so much Anastasia for your time ..

and members .. please make sure to check her blog you will sure enjoy it

and .. of course .. enjoy

Amna :)

Posted at (EQG) Emirates Quilling Guild facebook group on 27th November 2010

Featured Artist - Yasmin Hagalwadi

This is an interview I made earlier with Mrs. Hagalwadi ..

which was posted on my facebook page

thought I'd post it here too

Enjoy reading :)

10th December 2010

Where else to meet our next featured artist but to meet her at an art exhibit

Our featured artist this week .. is also a true artist to the bone

practicing different forms of art

Her work is very intricate & detailed .. she’s a master with the needle work .. yes ..

crochet, lace, and not only that but much more ..

when I saw her quilled pieces at the exhibition .. I was astonished

she’s really good at techniques that she stood by me at the exhibition

and helped everyone understand the art of paper quilling ..

she was kind enough to give me her time to demonstrate along with me

and take up the load .. and I was so happy :)

psssst .. “her roses were made by hand .. and the perfect ones they were”

shall we all meet out own Yasmin Hagalwadi ?

yes we shall ..

1) How did you start quilling?

I had tried my hand at Paper Quilling a few years back and loved it.

Because of the difficulty in finding supplies I had to put it aside.

But I took it up again 6 months back after seeing Amna's beautiful quilling projects .

I was so inspired that I had to start quilling again.

2) Do you learn from books too?

I do a lot of research on any craft that I take up. I don't have access to many books,

in fact I have just a couple of beginners books.

My main source is the internet and other artists.

Everyone has such beautiful work that just looking at their quilled creations

and works is a good learning experience by itself.

3) So shall we say that you are interested in different styles and techniques in arts and crafts?

I'd say I'm a Constant Learner of crafts.

I love to learn new crafts and the different techniques and methods in each.

I love the details.

As for other hobbies, Crochet is my passion. I do all kinds of projects in crochet.

Tatting is also a favorite with me and like to make the delicate laces in this almost forgotten art of lace-making.

I also do a little paper crafts ,sewing, origami, card making, embroidery,

Henna designing etc. My most recent craft is fabric flowers.

4) Does your art affect your life in any way?

I'm lucky that I do what I love doing. I'm a full time crafter and do custom orders for clients.

I make all kinds of gift items and favors for different occasions,

gift tags crochet accessories and home decor.

5) do you attend workshops or give workshops ?

I love to teach Art and Crafts. I've been giving private classes for quite a long time .

I've given only a couple of crochet workshops but haven't had the opportunity to attend one yet.

6) what does art provide to you?

The greatest gain is a sense a of peace and accomplishment felt

when you see the beautiful work of art unfolding itself as you work on it.

I feel that it takes me to whole new level of peace and joy and relaxes me - it's a great stress buster.

7) How can we get in touch with you and see more of your other creative work?

I have a blog mostly about crochet.

www.hooksandlaces.blogspot.com

8) what would you like to share with the Guild members ?

I would like to see more people in U.A.E getting involved and learning different crafts.

Its a simple pleasure in life which can help one reconnect with the inner self.

I also hope that there is a better availability of crafts supplies in U.A.E

with reasonable prices so crafting doesn't seem like an expensive hobby!

I also love to promote anything handmade as each piece is unique and has a special value and a personal touch to it.

"Yasmin is now providing the basic quilling supplies in UAE"

Thanks Yasmin for your time

Now enjoy viewing her lovely art creations .. but let me tell you a secret

Yasmin is on her way of becoming a very good supplier of paper quilling supplies ..

she's working on contacting suppliers to get the best supplies with affordable cost ..

now go ahead .. admire her work :D

some of her quilled creations

crochet

3D Quilled Wedding Scene

Salaam & Peace be upon you

I made this slide show to display more of the quilled creations that included the bride and cake and all ..

Enjoy :)

الفنّانة - السيّدة شيخة المطروشي

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

كما تعلمون

فإننا نقوم بتسليط الضّوء على مواهب عدّة في فن لف الورق

أو بالأصح

the art of paper quilling

وحيث أن هدف رابطة الإمارات لفن لف الورق هو التعريف بهذا الفن في الوطن العربي

فإننا سنقوم بعرض هذا القسم من نشاطاتنا باللغة العربية حتى يتمكن أكبر عدد ممكن من الأعضاء من التعرف بصورة أكبر على مواهب وإبداعات الشرق الأوسط في هذا الفن

فنّان هذا الأسبوع

أو فنّانتنا لهذا الأسبوع

هي السيّدة شيخه المطروشي - من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة

التقيت بشيخه في إحدى ورش فن لف الورق ولفت انتباهي سرعة استيعابها ولمساتها الفنية

حيث لا يمكن للمبتدئين بتطويع الورق بالصورة التي تقوم بها شيخه من أول مره

وساقت الصدف أن نلتقي هنا

وسنحت الفرصة على الاطلاع على أعمال فنية أخرى تقوم بها شيخه

ومن هنا ارتئينا أن تكون شيخة المطروشي المبدعة أول فنّانة نقوم باستضافتها والتعريف بها لدى أعضاء رابطة الامارات لفن لف الورق

فهي فنّانة بمعنى الكلمة

لذا .. تفضلوا واستمتعوا بلقائنا معها

فستتعرفون على الكثير

متى بدأت بممارسة فن لف الورق ؟

كان ذلك تقريبا في سنة ٢٠٠٨ حيث قمت بالبحث عن طرق جديدة لعمل بطاقة خاصة ومن ضمن البحث تعرفت على فن لف أشرطة من الورق

لم أكن أعلم بالمسمى الصحيح لهذا الفن ولكن شدني وقمت بتجربته

في يوليو ٢٠١٠ حضرت ورشة عملية في أساسيات فن لف الورق بنادي سيدات الشارقة وكانت هذه البداية

هل بدأت بالبحث عن كتب تختص بهذا الفن؟ أو ماهي مصادرك الرئيسية للتعلم ؟

ليست لدي الفرصة لقراءة الكتب عن هذه الفنون متى ماشئت أو كما أود

لكن شبكة الانترنت هي الأسهل بالنسبة لي للتعرف على ما أريد من فنون والقراءة عنها

كما أن آمنه الفرض هي حاليا مصدر التعريف بهذا الفن

هل تقومين بحضور ورش أم تقومين بإعدادها ؟

على الرغم من رغبتي في حضور ورش عدة إلا أنني لا أحصل على الفرصة لحضور الكثير منها كما أود

ولكنني أتمنى أن أقوم بإعطاء ورشة عملية في فن الديكوباج في أحد الأيام

رأيت بعض أعمالك الرّائعة فهل لك أن تخبرينا عن هواياتك الأخرى التي تقضين بها وقت الفراغ ؟

أحب الفن منذ الصغر، وأستطيع القول بأنني لست مبتدئة ولكن قطعت شوطا طويلا في هذا المجال

كما أنني أقضي وقت الفراغ في أمور أخرى ليست بالضرورة فنّية ولكن أحب الرياضة مثلا والقراءة والطبخ أيضا

كما أنني أحب تسوية الأمور الصعبة وحل المشاكل

الجانب الفنّي من حياتي لايعتمد على الألوان فقط، على الرغم من حبي للتلوين ، ولكن أمارس فن الديكوباج، الرسم على الأقمشة، تلوين الزجاج، ومؤخرا فن لف أشرطة الورق

أحب كل مايجمع الألوان بالخيال

من باب الفضول

نود معرفة المزيد عن شيخه

هل تعملين أو تدرسين ؟ وهل تؤثر ممارسة الهوايات والفنون على أي جانب من حياتك؟

حاليا لا أعمل أو أدرس ولكن لدي مشروع يختص بفن الديكوباج

ممارسة الهوايات أثرت في حياتي بشكل إيجابي

وهذا مايدفعني للمضي قدما في بعض الاحيان

كأم لطفلين ، في بعض الأحيان لا يمكنني الحصول على الوقت الكافي لعمل ما أريد أو للإستمتاع بالوقت

لذلك ، فإن ممارسة هواياتي تعطيني الدافع والقوة كما تأسرني لعالم خاص تتكلم فيه يدي بهدوء لتصنع أعمالا فنيّة

مانوع الفائدة التي يمكنك القول بأنك حصلت عليها عن طريق ممارسة الهوايات والإبداع في هذه الفنون ؟

الفائدة في حياتي كبيرة ولكن بالأخص شغل وقت الفراغ

الاستمتاع بممارسة الهوايات وأسئلة أطفالي أحيانا عما أقوم به حيث أنهم يهتمون بمشاهدتي وأنا أعمل و سؤالي عن تلك الأعمال

وهذه فرصة جميلة جدا أقضي بها وقتي في الهوايات ومع أطفالي في نفس الوقت

أحب تزيين منزلي وصنع هدايا خاصة بيدي عوضا عن شراءها

وفوائد عدة لا تحصى أيضا

شيخة المطروشي تؤمن بأهمية الفن وبأنه يلعب دورا كبيرا في حياتنا

وتقول شيخه :

حتى وان لم تكونوا ممن يرسمون جيدا أو ممن لايتقنون التلوين أو تظنون بأنكم لاتعلمون كيف

فإن اختيار ألوان ملابسكم في حد ذاته فن

اختيار الألوان في تنسيق وتحضير الطعام هو أيضا نوع آخر من الفن

لا أستطيع أن أتخيل حياتي بدون ممارسة هوايات فنيّة

هل يمكنكم آنتم ذلك ؟

شيخة المطروشي

نوافقك الرأي بالتأكيد

ونشكرك على قبولك دعوتنا وعلى إعطائنا الفرصة للتعرف على شخصيتك الرّائعة وفنك الجميل ماشاء الله

ونأمل بإذن الله أن نتمكن من حضور إحدى ورشك العملية في فن الديكوباج

والآن .. إليكم بعضا من أعمال شيخة الرّائعة

شكرا مره أخرى يا شيخه المطروشي

ونعتذر عن الأخطاء اللغوية والإملائية

تحيّاتي

آمنه الفرض

Featured Artist - Shaikha Al Matrooshi

Salaam ..

few weeks back I started a section on my facebook page & Emirates Quilling Guilds page ... where an artist will be featured displaying his/her creations and more :)

so .. lets get started with our first featured artist ..

* بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم *

Our featured artist today

is non other than the talented lady of vibrant colors

Ms. Shaikha Almatrooshi

I met her at a workshop

and one look & you could tell this lady has this artistic ora around her

she amazed me with how quick she was working her way through paper strips and with details too

and only later I found out that she is in fact a true artist

so .. what say you?

shall we dig into her books and research about her ?

naah .. you don't have to .. we already did that for you .. just sit back ..

read and enjoy :)

Shaikha Almatrooshi - United Arab Emirates

We started by asking her about her early start with quilling?

* Shaikha :

it was around 2008 as I was looking for a special new way to make a Birthday card

and while I was searching, paper quilling method popped up, and I didn’t know what it was called at that time, but it was more interesting for me.

In July 2010 I attended a workshop at SLC and I think that was the beginning

Q: Did you start reading books after that? or what were your sources?

* Shaikha :

I don’t have the chance to read books about paper quilling as frequently as I wish,

but to me the internet is the easy way to read about anything,

and lets say Amna Al Fard is my main source :)

Q: Do you attend workshops or give workshops ?

* Shaikha :

Although I'm trying but I don’t attend many workshops

Though I'd love to give a decoupage workshop one day

Q: I've seen some of your work which is great, so could you tell us about the other hobbies or art forms you spend your time with?

* Shaikha :

I loved art as long as remember. I can say that I’m not a beginner but for sure I crossed a long way in the art path.My hobbies do not include art only, I love sports , reading , cooking and problem solving. My art life includes not only coloring which I still love but also Decoupage , fabric painting , glass painting , recently paper quilling and I think any thing that joins colors and imagination.

Q: We’d like to know more about you, do you work? study ? has art affected these aspects of your life?

* Shaikha :

For the mean time I don’t work or study but I can say that I have a small business with decoupage. Practicing my hobbies is affecting my life positively for sure, it’s what makes me go sometimes.

As a mother for two I sometimes get this moment when I forget how I can enjoy my time , so having a hobby made my life , gave me strength and it takes me to a special world where my hands are talking silently to make a piece of art.

Q: Have you gained any benefit from your art? what kind of benefit ?

* Shaikha :

The benefits of art in my life are many. Mainly killing my time . having a nice time with my kids as sometimes they like to watch and ask , which is a good mother-kids bonding time .

I love decorating my house , making gifts instead of buying them

and many many that I don’t remember now :)

***

Shaikha believes that art plays a large part in making our lives

She said : even if you can’t draw or don’t like coloring or you think you don’t know how, choosing your clothes is an art , choosing the colors of your food is another type of art.

I cant imagine my life without it .... can you ??!!

We agree Shaikha, and we thank you for your time and enthusiasm

and hope that inshaAllah we can attend your decoupage workshops soon :)

no don't go .. wait .. take a look at her work of course ;)

BIG THANKS to our artist * Shaikha Almatrooshi *

Best Wishes

Amna Al Fard