The Eyes That Remain
In this portrait of a young boy from a Sudanese refugee camp, I used traditional oils and earth tones to move beyond his surroundings and focus on his humanity. By centering the piece on his steady gaze and removing any specific background, I aimed to transform a single face into a timeless symbol of resilience and the individual stories hidden behind the ”refugee” label.
Celebrating an Award-Winning Vision: The Story Behind "Blue Green Eyes"
Blue green eyes marks a pivotal moment in the artist’s career, winning first prize for abstract portrait composition in 2020 and later appearing on the inaugural cover of Expressions Magazine in June 2022. The painting explores the human face through abstraction, anchoring the viewer with sharply realistic eyes while the rest of the portrait dissolves into bold, textured brushstrokes. A striking contrast between cool teal and turquoise backgrounds and warm skin tones creates strong visual impact, reinforcing the balance between clarity and imagination that defines the work.
The Pulse of Essaouira: A Market in Motion
In these two acrylic pieces, I moved away from literal representation to capture the raw, immediate energy of the Essaouira medina. By leaning into an abstract color harmony, I wanted to translate the sensory overload of the souks—the heat, the noise, and the shifting coastal light—into a purely painterly experience.
I balanced fluid washes with thick, textured strokes to mirror the contrast between the bustling crowds and the solid architecture. For me, this abstract approach better preserves the true spirit and rhythm of the marketplace than a traditional depiction ever could.
Meet Hanna: A Portrait from Addis Ababa
In this large-scale acrylic portrait, I sought to capture the spirit of my friend Hanna and the warmth of the connection we shared in Addis Ababa. By working on a 100x100cm canvas, I was able to move beyond a simple likeness and use a bold, expressive palette of vibrant blues and earthy oranges to reflect her unique energy. The thick, textured brushwork brings a physical life to the piece, catching the light in a way that preserves a fleeting moment of our journey. Ultimately, this painting serves as a living memory and a tribute to a friendship that remains with me long after returning home.
Kumla junkyard
I painted the Kumla Junkyard twice, capturing its assortment of waste. While many might see it as unpleasant or unsightly, I was inspired by the interplay of colors to bring it to life.
Both pieces, created with acrylic on canvas, measure 60×80 cm.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
A Time I Couldn’t Escape
I painted this when everything felt unbearable. I remember feeling stranded in hell, stuck in a place where time didn’t move and hope felt distant. The paint went on heavy, almost violent. I didn’t plan anything—I just needed to get the feeling out of my body. Each layer holds anger, fear, and exhaustion. I wasn’t searching for beauty or meaning. I was just trying to breathe. Looking at it now, I see proof that I survived something I didn’t know how to name at the time.
A Tapestry of Heritage: Celebrating Identity through Mixed Media
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This collection is a vibrant celebration of identity and grace, born from a deep passion for painting folklore and tradition while drawing inspiration from the rich cultures of Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia. While rooted in realism, these works are rendered with an intense focus on texture and light through a sophisticated impasto technique. Bold, rhythmic brushstrokes build backgrounds that evoke the feel of weathered stone or hand-woven fabric.
The features are captured using deep, warm tones and precise detail, emphasizing the reflective glow of the skin and the intricate craftsmanship of traditional gold jewelry. These pieces explore the aesthetic harmony between the inner strength of the subjects and the delicate shimmer of their adornments. By blending these elements, the collection transforms classic portraiture into a compelling landscape of color, heritage, and light.
My First Experiment with Acrylic Pouring
My First Experiment with Acrylic PouringI painted this piece using an acrylic pour technique; I was testing the medium just to see the effect. It is impressive that this was a test of the medium, as the results show a great deal of control over the fluid’s behavior
Caricature samples
I have a deep appreciation for caricature art, particularly the political kind. I enjoy how these artworks exaggerate features and expressions to highlight the personalities, power dynamics, and even the flaws of political figures. The way they use humor and satire to comment on current events or political situations is something I find both thought-provoking and entertaining.