Archive for November 2013

Arabic Artology

A Practical Guide to Islamic Calligraphy

Monday, November 11, 2013
Presented by: Professional Artist Faraz Khan

Interactive Workshops
Learn the art of Arabic calligraphy in these hands-on workshops.
All art supplies will be provided and no prior experience necessary.

Register here: http://tinyurl.com/arabic-artology-cornell
Registration is free. Space is Limited.

Workshop 1: Arabic Calligraphy – Naskh Style
11:10am-12pm, Willard Straight Art Gallery

Workshop 2: Arabic Calligraphy – Kufic Style
12:30pm-1:20pm, Willard Straight Art Gallery

Workshop 3: Arabic Calligraphy – Diwani Style
2:30pm-3:20pm, Willard Straight Art Gallery

Main Presentation
5:10pm-7:30pm, Phillips Hall Room 101

Islamic Art: 4 Misconceptions About Islamic Arts
Learn to Decipher Six Standard Styles of Arabic Calligraphy
Art Projects & Competition – practice

Sponsored by:
Muslim Educational and Cultural Association
Committee for Advancement of Muslim Culture
Funded by Student Assembly Finance Commission

Rx Art Prescription is an artwork made out of medicine by Princeton based artist Faraz Khan.

“When I say artist I mean the one who is building things … some with a brush – some with a shovel – some choose a pen.” ~Jackson Pollock

PAPA, a Long Island based non-profit pharmaceutical organization reached out to me to assist them with an artwork that made use of their logo and pharmaceutical design. I asked for a few months and to start collecting my thoughts and ideas on how to best describe an artwork that will make the slogan stand out. I reached out to Mr. M. Saleem and mentioned my hesitation about painting the commissioned work. I proposed that we should just literally drop the paint and create an artwork that best describes pharmacists – meaning drugs. It was a tedious project and everybody loved the final product.

It goes without saying that creativity in art does not require paint.

Artwork: Rx Art Prescription is an artwork made out of medicine by Princeton based artist Faraz Khan.

The Department and Program in Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University

The Art of Calligraphy in Arabic and Persian

by Fine Artist Faraz Khan

November 15, 2013

FRIST 302

3 sessions for all classes

9:00 –9:50 AM

10:00 – 10:50 AM

12:30 – 1:20 PM

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”
― Rumi

like us on facebook – www.facebook.com/farazkhanartstudio

Islamic Inscriptions: Johns Hopkins University Sep. 28 & 29.

It was great to meet the students at the Johns Hopkins University.

I sincerely want to thank Zein Quraishi, Rauf, Ghaida, and the MSA Johns Hopkins University for connecting us with so many aspiring artists and The Baltimore Museum of Art. A Special thanks to Elisabeth Kvernen (and her li’l adorable baby) and http://calligraphyqalam.com for making it to the class. I had a wonderful conversation about direction of Arabic calligraphy and art and development of new courses with the help of renown calligraphers and artists such as Elinor Aisha Holland and Mohamed Zakariya.

My advice to all the budding artists – art is a journey, don’t mistake it for a destination.

Love in Arabic & English  – Faraz Khan Art Studio, Princeton

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”  ― Rumi 

Light Calligraphy: Faraz Khan

So I decided to take my art class to the nearby graveyard to practice some light calligraphy – it needed to be dark & spooky to practice slow shutter speed digital photography. The results are wonderful – my version of Love – hub in Arabic. I spoke with the education director to see if we could incorporate this slow shutter speed technique with drawing and calligraphy classes during the winter. Julien Breton aka Kalaam is a renown artist in Arabic light calligraphy technique. He has done some incredible work using light and camera. I also want to further this technique but in my own way of not only writing words or phrases but telling a story. I have seen many American artists use light calligraphy to draw and create luminous scenery.

Let me know if you have tried this work or I could simply do a simple tutorial online.

Recently I received a request from Sophia Ansari, Florida about returning pilgrims who have performed Haj journey to Mecca – a once in a life journey for many to create an artwork that would fit their budget and be a unique gift idea. I was excited about the opportunity and thought that this was another way of outdoing the cheesy (cheap, unpleasant, or blatantly inauthentic) Eid cards. Well! Sophia graciously accepted the idea and four families have these four small 10×12 frames to commemorate their journeys to Mecca. I want to congratulate the families and all the pilgrims on their safe return back home. I hope the culture around art changes with fresh ideas and new perspectives. It’s the thought that counts.

Well! you may have thought this post is about gymnastics but here’s a simple overview of how to unstretch – remove canvas from the frame for inspiring artists. I have been receiving plenty of emails/fb questions from many young and inspiring artists and decided to share ideas and techniques via youtube videos. If you are watching this video to ship an artwork then congratulations on your art sale. Islamic Art is one of the most incredible art form that is going to be a huge factor in how we view the postmodern art scene. Stay tune…