Art Day at the Assi’s

February 1, 2010 at 12:32 pm · Filed under Arab Culture, Art, Music

We bought canvases and acrylic colors, unearthed the long-buried brushes and palettes, and set up our painting space outside —— complete with a “Man2al” (coal-box), hot tea, and pop-corn. It was my brother Hisham’s idea to put Friday off for a family painting event.

Omar and Hisham decided to replicate Edward Munch’s “The Scream”, and Kasimir Malevich’s “Red House”. I painted a portray of my parents, my mother made a sketch of my father, and Gus, um, improvised.

Hisham’s buddy Ahed documented the event, and Ayah experimented with watercolors. Musa played PlayStation inside with buddies Alaa’ and Fouad :)

(Special thanks to the awesome Ahed Hijjawi for the daylight pictures)

Art Day at the Assi's Picture by Ahed Hijawi

Art Day at the Assi's Picture by Ahed Hijawi

Art Day at the Assi's Picture by Ahed Hijawi

Art Day at the Assi's, Picture by Ahed Hijawi

Art Day at the Assi's Picture by Ahed Hijawi

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

I have always believed that a sense of art is something you learn, rather than something you are born with. It’s a craft, a technique. You learn how to hold a brush, how to look, how to think, how to feel. Of course, you do need to have the patience for that sort of thing, it’s really very much an inclination the same way that playing video games is an inclination.

I think my brother Omar has shaken that belief.

You see, while Hisham and I have shown an interest in art since we were very young, and then we went ahead to get an education in architecture and fine arts respectively, Omar has never, ever shown an interest. I do not remember Omar sitting with Hisham and I as we sketched as kids, I do not remember Omar saying anything about painting unless it had to do with making fun of me and Hisham, “Idiots, come play XBox with me!”

After taking a few off-hand pointers from me (I felt like he was wasting my time, I mean seriously, how could he do anything?), Omar concentrated on doing a good job with replicating Edward Munch’s “The Scream”. Understand: Before that minute, Omar has never held a brush in his life, let alone mixed colors, or saw the details in a painting.

With that said, I present you with the final results of our art day:

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's

Art Day at the Assi's
(Hisham got bored, so this is only half-way done, but look at how pretty the sky is!)

This is how it should look when it’s done:

http://www.artst.org/images/cubism/large/kasimir_malevich/13111440_Red%20House%20%201932.jpg

And finally, Omar’s:

Art Day at the Assi's

As compared to:
http://www.oxideradio.co.uk/shows/contemporary_scandinavian_music/TheScream.jpg

What do you think? Is art taught or inherent?






  • http://www.jordanian-observations.blogspot.com Farah

    Definitely inherent. My mother is an architect and she tried to teach me drawing or painting as a child, but to this day I can’t produce anything artistic to save my life.

  • http://joycefied.wordpress.com almondjoycie

    i wanna be adopted! I am in love with the idea of a grown up family art day. You have some real talent in your family.

    About inherent art talent, I believe that some people are born able to see and communicate what they see through art better than others. But it is something that can be taught. Technique is important also, and we can always learn from others. I also believe that some artists are not born teachers, thus hard to learn from.

  • http://one-ugly-duckling.blogspot.com Duckling

    i think it’s definitly inherent, but maybe art is inherted in its raw form so the talet doesn’t show unless it’s looked after :)

  • http://meshx86.wordpress.com Mesh

    both, but more inherited,
    brilliant work !

  • http://andfaraway.net Roba

    Farah, but that disproves it no? If your mother has that, shouldn’t you too? :) Maybe you don’t have the patience? I’m always so curious about this issue.

    AlmondJoycie, lol, thanks! :D so basically, you think that the tendency is inherited, but the skill is gained? You’re right about artists being terrible teachers, you had to see my professors!

    Duckling, that’s true for sure, it does need looking after :)

    Mesh, thanks ya man! :D

  • http://bagoftreats.blogspot.com Amina

    I think both. We’re all born with a form of understanding of art, even if we don’t show it in our primary years, but the right techniques and different styles of art have to be learnt from outside sources in order to become a full fledged artist. A writer isn’t born a writer, but is taught to write, same goes for a painter, sculptor, photographer and so on and so forth.

  • http://thesilkentouch.blogspot.com/ Silk

    There is talent, and there is craft, and they are not the same. Talent comes from within. Craft is learned from without. Omar has talent (note the freedom of the strokes, the sensitivity to the color, the awareness of flow).

    It is sad but true that sometimes imposing the dictates of craft destroys the talent. “No, no! Do it THIS way!”

  • http://twitter.com/EvolveWorldwide Rula Zein-Iddin

    May I point out that like almondjoycie I too am available for adoption.

    Also Omar’s painting is *better* than Munch’s – so much more vibrant & alive!

    PS. I get my fix with Rula on Saturday – can;t wait :)

  • http://twitter.com/EvolveWorldwide Rula Zein-Iddin

    May I point out that like almondjoycie I too am available for adoption.

    Also Omar’s painting is *better* than Munch’s – so much more vibrant & alive!

    PS. I get my fix with Rula on Saturday – can;t wait :)

    PPS. Your picture is amazing too!

  • Heba

    your portrait of your parents is communicating so much emotions Roba :)

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  • http://www.jordanian-observations.blogspot.com Farah

    yes but my dad doesn’t! hehe

    and ya I don’t have much patience either. That would have something to with it maybe…

  • Oula

    ya waradiiiiiiiiiiiiiii… i luvd all these… makes feel some ezderaa2 for my below mediocre art “talent”…

  • Ala’

    ummmm i didnt Just play Xbox … I professionally criticized nd Admired nd Supervised the work !
    :p

  • Ali

    I believe the sense of art is inherited, there are many artists who just let there senses explode without attending an academy or whatever, of course learning is very important to put all the aspects on its place, and improve the skills to the next level, but the very 1st seed must be inherited, that’s my opinion.

    Great paintings, also I wonder how you didn’t get cold?!, it’s freezing here in Aleppo.

    My best wishes to you and your great family.

  • Roba

    Amina, I think what you said makes the most sense. It is definitely what you learn… you just have to want to learn it. Or at least, believe that you can. Confidence is very important in these skills.

    Silk, yes, you’re right of course. Craft is more one-track minded. Art often doesn’t need any skill beyond a brilliant idea (Jackson Pollock as a very arguable example). I definitely prefer art over craft, although I’m a designer, which makes me craftswoman.

    Heba, thank you :) I really do miss my father a lot. I started this portray a few weeks before he passed away, and I didn’t touch it for over a year later. I redid it in the end, because the colors of the old one were too angry.

    Farah, then you have someone to blame ;)

    Oula, lol@Izdira2! :D 2of with your spirit I think you’d make an amazing cartoonist :)

    Ala’, yeah right :P Ahed could say that, you can’t :P

    Ali, it was the man2al :) We covered our “tent” across all areas that let the air through and put a huge coal man2al. Okay, not exactly toasty warm, but doable :)… See More

  • http://andfaraway.net Roba

    Rula, can’t wait to see you on Saturday! :) And right, Omar’s drawing is amazing! I’m telling you, I haven’t been this pleasantly surprised in YEARS.

  • Mohammad Magahari

    At the end of the day, I am so proud that I know The Assi’s, Late Mr. Sami, Mrs. Assi, Hisham Omar and Ghassan, Unfortunately didn’t met Ruba yet.

    Anyway I think that the environment (family, school and society) is what makes us able to feel, appreciate and value art.
    For example; Beethoven’s Grandfathers were both Musicians, but his father had lessons in Piano and Violin.
    Few families practice this good habit, I wish it become a habit, and looking forward to have some Mega event that gathers more people and become all one big ARTIST’s FAMILY…

  • Mohammad Maghari

    Well,At the end of the day, I am so proud that I know The Assi’s, Late Mr. Sami, Mrs. Assi, Hisham Omar and Ghassan, Unfortunately didn’t met Ruba yet.

    Anyway I think that the environment (family, school and society) is what makes us able to feel, appreciate and value art.

    For example; Beethoven’s Grandfathers were both Musicians, but his father had lessons in Piano and Violin.

    Few families practice this good habit, I wish it become a habit, and looking forward to have some Mega event that gathers more people and become all one big ARTIST’s FAMILY…

  • Mohammad Maghari

    Sorry for this, but I had some problem with my PC.

  • Rush

    omar did an amazing job :)
    i am impressed..
    i loved the whole idea!

  • Chris

    Roba, just self-inherent. I don’t see how you can teach someone art. Most things in life are subjective, but art really tops the list. Hisham should have said to you, “No Roba, it’s finished, that’s just the way it should look.” hehehe As for honing a craft, you can do that, but in the end it might not make it look better. Rembrandt’s stuff is more realistic and polished than anything that Picasso painted. But for me, “Guernica” beats any of his stuff hands-down. To each his own. You added an unnecessary “um” up there, but I like it better that way. It’s, um, more artistic. :P btw, why didn’t you put a photo of Art Day in your post? He was a guest, so that would have been nice. Rude I tell you, rude. :D

  • http://www.a-tale-of-three-beans.blogspot.com MommaBean

    I like Omar’s better than the original bi ktiir. I think the family art day is a great idea. I’d do it if we had a coal man2al. Well, and the patience and time. But, then again I have NO artistic ability in that way. My Mom is fairly good at drawing and such things. I can see and put together things fairly well (read that I’m an idiot savant at taking amazing pictures) and collage kinds of things where someone else did that actual ART. But the drawing or painting something, well, see my self-portrait and you get the picture quite literally. Nice job Roba. Loved your pictures and your whole family has got it going on…

  • Chris

    art :( art :| art :) art :D art :P art

  • Gus

    w7yat allah my art is brilliant. I don’t believe no one recognizes that… yet. Haha.
    It can be perceived in so many ways. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is art.

  • bana

    rubaaa i love the idea…maybe we (me and my family) should do it sometime…honestly i love the replica of ” the Scream” tell ur brother…good job it looks great hehe…hidden talent :)

  • Mo

    hey ruba, that is one professional looking note. the photos are really journalistic (if i may say so). very nice writing. keep it on : )

  • Rus

    Wow… Amazing results… I think some people are just born with it… while others can and may learn…

    Omar’s painting is brilliant…

  • Rus

    And I loved yours Roba… never knew you can paint that well…

  • http://www.kinziblogs.wordpress.com kinzi

    I just love that Assi family, now who ELSE in the whole world, not just Amman, would spend a whole day painting together and really doing it?

    I think this is 75% Abu and Um Roba’s parenting style. Not one boring person in the family, sa7?

  • Mohammad Maghari

    Sure

  • Javed from Pakistan

    Dont you know that this kind of art is Haram in Islam?

    You must know better, you are an Arab Muslim.

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  • someone

    She writes her name as Aiya not Ayah .. lol

  • Hisham

    Lol @ someone.

  • someone

    and btw life is small and strange

    or strangely small ?!!

    and very weird … scary

    lol

  • someone

    how come that this post was posted and the one before wasn’t ?!!!!!!

  • someone

    for the 3rd time i was saying : lol at hisham for lol-ing at me 2 months after i wrote what i wrote, and lol at the fact that i havn’t been here since 2 months and me and hisham check an old post on the same day, and lol at aiya for writing her name as she does … i wonder why ??!!!!! haha

  • someone

    i figured out something about this site : if you use too amny lines and leave empty lines your post won’t be posted. and if you use at the symbole the post wont be posted either. unless maybe after a while ?

  • someone

    many not amny *

  • someone

    i figured out another thing: you can write as many post as you want as long as you don’t violate what i wrote in the post above ! lol

  • someone

    well .. i’m not sure about the last thing i said so i am trying it out

  • someone

    someone check this site there is some selay in posting the posts and that doesnt happen always !

  • someone

    and btw … Ruba sorry for trashing your website by the many posts that i posted .

  • someone

    on the other hand Ruba you should thank me for finding the bugs in wour website … try and fix them … they’re driving me crazy !!!

  • someone

    your* not wour … damn keyboard !!! this day is turning nasty !!! thanks ruba !!!!

  • someone

    by the other way … your website feels more like MSN to me now … haha

  • someone

    I forgot to say : i’m out for the day !

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