Eman Al-Qahtani is a successful, talented and ambitious young Saudi artist. She combines thoughts and colors in her paintings. She has her own art method; a painting is to deliver a message to human minds.

Al-Qahtani holds a bachelor degree in Arts and Humanities, and a diploma in hearing disability. She is responsible for the Women Assembly of Arts and Culture in Abha (AACA), she is a member of Saudi JESFET in Asir and responsible for the Elderly Care Organization in Abha. She participated in several events in Umm Al-Qura University in 2013; she also supervised other activities during 2012 and 2013.

Al-Qahtani said, “Since I was a child, I used to spend hours drawing with pencils, I loved to draw characters and cartoons, which is known as animation. I perused my passion and talent until I became a part of AACA, I also was trained by many professors, like Ola Al-Asmi. I work very hard on each piece of art to get the best results. I start by planning the idea before putting the pen on the canvas. My paintings deliver thoughts to human minds and I usually choose social issues that are discussed in our society. An artist is people’s voice, I hate to see a painting with random lines and colors without delivering a certain idea.”

Al-Qahtani added, “Old houses’ walls in Abha had artistry crafts that make us proud. In my opinion, Abha is still the capital city of arts in the Kingdom. With its beautiful nature, artists are expressing it in their paintings.”

She continues, “The main reason of my success is God, then my parent’s support to enhance my skills and talent. I look forward to grow more and establish a college of Arts and Crafts in Abha. I want our society to observe and involve in the beauty of nature and art. I will do whatever it takes to reach my goals and dreams through my experience.”

She mentioned, “A piece of art is a symbol for our Islamic civilization, and it can be a part of the educational method. The art of Arabic typography is now used in buildings and architecture around the world. This shows how Islam and art are strongly related to express the beauty of things. Ancient Arabs had wide knowledge in arts, despite statues and idols. A piece of art translates community’s thoughts; we see how westerners are impressed when they visit Islamic mosques and architecture.”

She added, “Unfortunately in our society, important sources such as art books and libraries, are not available enough for an artist. In my experience during the past three years, I spent a lot of time searching for art books and I have only come up with eight books here in the Kingdom. This really affects an artist who wants to explore art through books.”

She admires international artists such as Iman Maleki’s realism, Vladimir Kush’s surrealism, Salvador Dali’s expressions, Jackson Pollock abstracts, Leonardo Da Vinci in Mona Lisa, Guernica by Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo’s photographs.

Regarding art schools, Al-Qahtani said, “My arts belong mostly to the Surreal Art School by thoughts and messages. My paintings usually speak about human lives and sufferings. I do not recommend that an artist limit himself in a certain field; however, an artist should try all schools. A piece of art lives with me the whole time until I finish it. I try to understand it and find its weaknesses and strengthen them. A painting is a philosophy on canvas. I stare at it for hours trying to talk to it. That is how an artist loves his piece. My art expresses my personality, therefore I strive to do what my canvas reflects.

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