Traveling expands your horizons, changes your perspective, and inspires the hidden artist in you. Naturally, witnessing the beauty of the earth and experiencing the different cultures the world over is bound to be the most enlightening human experience. Leena Kewlani talks about her travel experiences and her love for photography and how these two things have influenced her creative artform.
Where do you get your inspirations from?
From my travels! I travel on any free days I get off from work, with my camera glued to my hand. “I walk for hours, and I capture everything my eyes see, my heart feels. And from there, I use my photographs as inspiration to create some of my paintings.”
What do you like to photograph?
The beauty of this earth. From seas to mountains, snowy paths to sunny beaches. Birds, butterflies, horses, rainbows, whales, dolphins … we are just blessed to be surrounded with such incredible sights. I usually wake up early, and each day, I ensure to cover the city and surrounding places as much as I can. I start somewhere, and land up somewhere else. The joy of exploring, the sights I stumble into … sometimes I feel that the sun aligns itself just so that I can capture images in the perfect light! It’s sad that people are so glued to their phones that they just miss hearing the crunch of the fresh snow under their feet, whilst their eyes miss to look beyond the horizons.
How do you choose what to paint?
Sights that moved me. To me, all the places that have a little memory attached to it. A hidden meaning. An unsaid prayer. It’s like me capturing that moment again, but using my palette knives, fingers and brushes.
How would you describe your style?
Abstract Imperfections.
I fall in love with imperfections in people, in nature and in things around me.
Those imperfections, those little hidden away pieces, those crazy thoughts – they all have a beautiful story to tell. It’s real, full of soul and beauty, with truth embedded in it.
I interpret each story with what i am feeling, and infuse it with a lot of joy and rich colors. Because I mostly use palette knives, it usually has a vibrant abstract impressionist feel to it.
You must have a lot of photographs…
I actually do! I have thousands of photographs from travelling over my years. Can you imagine how confusing it gets to choose just 1 or 2 to paint? Drives me mad, but then I get my best friend or mom to choose if I can’t make up my mind.
To see more artwork like this:
Connect with her on her Instagram using the handle – @leenakewlani.art
Exhibition details:
Ahlan Café
Pullman Hotel Jumeirah Lake Towers , Dubai
Date: 28th March – 31 May
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