Art Love: My Art by da-AL

"Guajira" flamenco monoprint by da-AL.
“Guajira” flamenco monoprint by da-AL.

Before I started working on my novels (more about them h-e-r-e), I had a two-year degree in business, but worked as a journalist. As a reporter and producer in print, radio, and video (more on that h-e-r-e), many people said higher education would advance my career, and that any degree would do.

Hand-dyed Ikot weaving by da-AL.
Hand-dyed Ikot weaving by da-AL.

So I picked something easy: fiber art. Hah! Talk about challenging! In most schooling, there’s no arguing with multiple choice quizzes and single-answer tests. However, art is subjective; grades rely on the professor’s opinion. It was rough but fun!

"Fandango" flamenco monoprint by da-AL.
“Fandango” flamenco monoprint by da-AL.

Fiber includes traditional drawing and painting, as well as paper making, weaving, fabric dying, pattern making, painting, screen printing, sewing, book binding, sculpture, felting, and more. It even allowed me to incorporate design, writing, and videography.

Silk hand and eye batik art by da-AL.
Silk hand and eye batik art by da-AL.

An amazing collection of fine papers became a collage tribute to my Argentine grandmother. In it, her daughters and the two husbands she outlived surround her, as do references to her love of making music, folk dancing, and gossiping over yerba mate tea.

Collage of my grandmother, Abuela in Spanish, by da-AL.
Collage of my grandmother, Abuela in Spanish, by da-AL.

Around when I was studying art, I stumbled upon the joys of dancing. My father was a Spaniard who instilled in me an awe for flamenco, but it wasn’t until my Persian husband became inspired to learn flamenco that we began taking classes for it together.

"Siguiria" flamenco monoprint by da-AL shows guitars, shoes, clapping hands, and flowers.
“Siguiria” flamenco monoprint by da-AL shows guitars, shoes, clapping hands, and flowers.

Flamenco was glorious and difficult. Nowadays we dance Argentine tango, which you can see h-e-r-e and h-e-r-e and h-e-r-e and h-e-r-e and h-e-r-e and more if you type “Tango” into the search bar.

"Tientos" flamenco monoprint by da-AL shows guitars, shoes, clapping hands, and flowers.
“Tientos” flamenco monoprint by da-AL shows guitars, shoes, clapping hands, and flowers.

What sort of art do you indulge in?

35 thoughts on “Art Love: My Art by da-AL”

  1. Durung ’70 I’ve been to Kabul by car and crossed Iran. Wonderful and misterious country!

    best wishes for your books and blog very complete one. I’m a writer too.

    ciao from london mario paluan

    Liked by 1 person

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