So I've been doing a lot of painting recently, and just going to share a few pieces here. Anyhow, here's to more and more paintings!! Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska
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This is my new AWESOME work place!! It's the Escuela Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes del Cusco - in Cusco, Peru. Currently I am working here as a visiting professor - teaching animation to students in their final year of painting, and also graphic design to students of design. I'm also taking some courses - such as advanced anatomy and art history to further my levels of Spanish, and advanced painting, and murals to gain more expertise in these areas - So far everything is wonderful - and chasing dreams is most definitely worth it! Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska So I've just found a wonderful mentor and evening "free time" art classes in Cusco at their school of fine arts. I started the classes a couple weeks ago, and so far between holidays and work strikes I've not been able to attend many of the classes, even though they are in the evening. That said I am learning a lot just by being in classes with other students and observing classical styles of art and painting. When asked by my new teacher what I wanted to learn - I've stated that I would like to experiment with many painting and art movement styles and also to start working larger. So far, so good - in a period of 3 classes - I've managed to gain a good head start and am working on a oil painting of 1 x 2/3 of a meter in the style of Cezanne in which I am really looking to use tone and color to build up a sense of 3D. Instead of using apples, I am using typical produce from Peru - onions, granadillas, limes, and choclo (maize). Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska
Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska The envelopes filled with book manuscripts have finally gone into the publishers and paintings are continuing to be done. Books are being worked on and I am feeling like things are coming along :) Currently I am really getting into portraits again, and am becoming somewhat obsessed with maps. Some of the new paintings - portraits - working on skillz Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska In my world... sometimes, actually always... I find it much easier to finish creative work - like a painting, or an illustration, but then after that... The temptation not to self promote and to continue working on new creative work sets in - basically procrastinating... So yes I've been procrastinating mucho lately... in mailing out to publishers and instead been painting lots!! With the paperwork associated with self promotion looming in a dark corner I ponder if I should just get it done and: 1. feel better for having gotten the work out into the world 2. less guilty for just letting the work sit, and finally, 3. getting myself a step closer to my dreams of being able to one day fully support myself as an artist. But.... the creative work is just so much more fun!! May be, just may be I should give myself a chance, and start at working on self promotion just one weekend a month.. or even one day a month to start... and go from there. I'll start with this coming Monday. This Monday, I'll dedicate the whole day to promotion - writing covers, getting prints done, addressing envelopes, sending out mail! If I actually do... hmmm what could I reward myself with? Perhaps the guilty feelings associated with procrastination ebbing will be reward enough... I guess I'll find out! Anyhow, on here I still feel less guilty as I showcase a new painting I've been working on :) Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska Finally school is over and I survived my first year teaching grade ones - and success - they are just about all reading; some quite well, writing stories, and even creating characters. It's quite the relief though, to be done, and now I can get back on track to finding a publisher and working on a new book. I fortunately have not been totally unproductive - Apart from finishing report cards, I have collected a couple of leads in regard to my book, and have even finished up some paintings. Most exciting though, I've been helping to edit my grandmother's cookbook - it's her fourth!! And I must say, it reads beautifully. I am really enjoying in helping with the editing - it is very soothing to sit and read and work with a great team to make an even better project. I took a couple of pictures while they were testing recipes, and the one featured below shows some of the Indian sweets!! I'll post the painting pictures tomorrow :) Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska So I'm a bit behind on researching publishers for the new book. However to be fair, I've recently been in London visiting family. It was crazy rushing from here to there to meet everyone in a week, however, I did manage to get some drawing in. I've always loved line drawings - especially in pen - they are just so clean and when traveling it really is an easy thing to just have a couple of pens and a sketch book! This particular sketch was inspired after having visited the high and bold fashions on Bond Street, and the theatricality of Oxford Circus. It was also inspired by spring time and a joy of fresh starts. Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska Finally!! The illustrations are done and the book in mock up form. For the first time in a long time I am solidly happy with the work! Now comes the hard part... finding a publisher. Well hard I suppose as its new and new things can be a bit scary, especially when you are putting yourself out there with something close to the heart. At the least, I've begun to research into Canadian publishing houses who do release children's titles - a start :) I'll give myself a week to research and then begin cold calls and emails for submissions. Here is the final illustration Tahira Nusrat Karim
Tauska I have been working on an alphabet book for children for the past 3 yup.... 3 years. OMG (goodness) - this is taking a loooong time. But I suppose in between being hit by a flood, teaching grade one, ever so sweet little munchkins, for the first time - wonderful albeit exhausting, and traveling all around on any time I get off... hmmmmm..... Well, it is almost done, finally. Only illustrations X, Y, and Z, and then lettering to go!! Go me!! I kinda feel like the little engine trudging up the hill right now and almost at the top :) I suppose I should finally start looking for a publisher. Below is the first illustration in the book!! Enjoy!! Tahira Karim
Tauska |
AuthorHello! I am Tauska, nice to meet you. I love creating children's books. On this blog I write about my projects and books, processes, passions and education. Feel free to get in touch and, or say hello! Archives
April 2021
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