Today I had the opportunity to be an artist in Auckland Arts Festival's Family Day event! Before the event I did my research and sketches to come up with whimsical and fun illustrations. I decided to show my origin culture so people who joined the event can get the taste of Turkish culture. Originally I prepared 4 illustrations for this event so if I have spare time I can draw the rest. But in total 5 hours including the break times I finished 2 of my illustrations. But It was so fun and children loved my creations which made me so happy. So in this event I did two illustrations one was about Cappadocia with whimsical dreamlike hot air balloons including with sultans. The other one was about Maiden Tower which I got inspired from a legend that is related to this tower.
Also I have prepared two coloring sheets for the children. When I am painting they had the option to color them or draw on the chalk boards which where next to my glass painting.
I started with Cappadocia concept as you see in this photo. As this was my first experience on painting on a glass it was a bit challenging to control the pens but it had its own unique way to handle it. So I just used the advantage and colored in with texture. Also when you paint on a glass you need to think about the negative space more then you do. It is so much fun and interesting to paint some areas and leaving others with just outlines and making people to enjoy looking through the glass. Empty areas can give you the advantage of spontaneity of background colors because the glass is transparent so you just let the background decide the color for you:)
As you see you can REALLY take ADVANTAGE of the NEGATIVE SPACE :))
I mentioned that children had the opportunity to use the chalk board so you can see they really enjoyed and create their own designs.
I always wanted to illustrate Cappadocia in a interesting and fun way and I finally did it! :)
By the way it was so hot so that was the only disadvantage for me but of coarse it was worth it!!! Now I have a good trace of it on my skin :))
Sarah and Morgan were the volunteer in this event and they were super helpful! They were very helpful and friendly. Thank you so much for making this experience more fun and easier. They were so engaging with children and I saw they played and talked with them and had so much fun.
This one is the Maiden Tower illustration that I prepared for this event. As I said before I got inspired from one of the Maiden Tower's legends. The name of the story is ''The Princess''. One day a fortune teller makes a prediction to the King that his daughter (princess) will day by a snake. After learning this, King made a castle built so the princess can be safe. But he couldn't protect her because the snake was hiding in a fruit basket which is sent from King's castle. So the fortune becomes true.
In this one I just used the story as an inspiration and made my own way of depiction. The snake is trying to kill the sultan's daughter but soldiers are there to save her by using bow.
Here me and my husband just having fun with my art:)
One of the volunteer is having fun with a child by using the negative space of the glass:) This was a great way to interact with children.
There were other events around the festival and this one was one of the most interesting activity for me. I really want to learn to do fabric painting by using those wood blocks. I want to design my own patterns! So it was great to see this which made me more excited about this tool.
In this event they also had music. I loved this band because they were wearing fun costumes and playing instruments that I am in love with :) Also in the morning there were a group of Maori students singing their traditional song. I felt so happy and emotional ... I really felt goosebumps! I think I easily feel happy and emotional in little things :) Happiness is in the simple things! I always believe in that...
Today was fun, inspirational and I learned so much! I am very lucky to be part of this event! Thank you to everyone who was involved in this lovely, magical, amazing day!
