By Nancy Alhabashi
I was always a dreamer since I was a little girl. Far East by river Jordan I grew older loving to write and paint. By age 15 I moved to the United States. It was nothing but a hobby. Not till 2007 when I had to watch my dear father die from stomach cancer after getting his colon cancer screening, I started painting more and more. I could not grief him enough because I had to put a smile on my face for my two 6 months old twin girls and 18-month-old son. So every night when I put them to sleep I would paint for hours. Only 3 months later I was myself diagnosed with 6 cm mass in my right lung. (Choriocarsinoma) . . I spent almost 2 years partially watching my kids grow older. Between three surgeries and four long Chemo sessions I would go to my basement and paint. I poured on canvas all kind feelings. (Hope, sad, love, grief…Etc.
I finally won the battle. Although cancer is never good news but in my case it was I knew what I wanted to do with. I have contacted Aurora Theatre and did my first solo exhibit there. It was a very successful solo exhibit with an outcome of seven pieces sold which was the first in the Theatre history. I am very blessed to be given another chance to stay around for my wonderful children (Hisham, Razanne, and Rowanne), and loving husband (Hashem Abuaisheh).
Artist Statement:
I believe in the power of colors. Yes you can stir feelings with only colors. I use several layers to create texture and depth. I am very daring with how I use a cricut machine for art and putting colors together. I mix impressionism with abstract. Good art is what stirs feelings and touches your heart.Try looking at beginner acrylic art painting tutorials if you want to get into painting.
I am still learning each day about myself through painting and writing. In trying to take things to the next level, I have started learning the art of Damaged Oil Painting Restoration. This is because I believe art in all of its forms is a way of healing physically and mentally, and should therefore be preserved. Love is the most powerful feeling that can change lives, and should not be lost to time. I paint and write and learn about love in a very soft yet strong way. Most of my work is dreamy and somewhere else out of this world.
About My Book Soul Whispers : As much as painting is a way of expressing for me; writing poetry does the same. So not only that I painted through my hardship I also wrote letters to my children and late father, which I gathered and added many poems that I have written through the last 15 years of my life to make it into my very first poetry book Soul Whispers.
I opened a beautiful Candy shop in Historic Lawrenceville Downtown called “Nancy’s Candy and Spice” my art is all over the wall.
