house near the river

a short walk from the river, this piece of land belongs to my sister, and it is here where at the end of the day solitude is most pronounced, interrupted only by the howling of an elegant dog.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

shadow street

oil on canvas / 14.2" x 11.8" (36cm x 30cm) / 2011

workers at night

their day begins at sunset. in darkness they operate the machines, digging up the dirt to make room for another useless shopping center. the air is thick with the smell of oil. i could watch them for hours, their bodies so agile, moving in the night.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

festive night

the night was cold. but people gathered, in a mood to celebrate. and the bright lanterns projecting crimson joy.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

across the train tracks

a spot of archaic abandon where plants mingle with rust and corrusion.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

the mechanics

a busy auto repair shop where mechanics gather to beautify another car, now with renewed energy after a very long coffee break.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
SOLD

what is for dinner?

oil on canvas / 19.7" x 15.7" in (50cm x 40cm) / 2011

burnt by the sun

the dervish dancer

there is this small venue, the Tamburin Hall, hidden away in a tiny street around the corner from my studio, and i had the pleasure to admire the agility and grace of this young dervish dancer, as he spun around with ease and magic. colorful poetry in motion.


oil on canvas / 6" x 7.5" in (15cm x 19cm) / 2011
SOLD

the wood shop

mr. Butrus is sitting down in his woodshop, waiting for his tea, and thinking about nothing in particular, his thoughts idle, just being in the present moment, satisfied.



oil on canvas / 7.9" x 9.8" in (20cm x 25cm) / 2011

running errands

mr. malik is walking home from the grocery store, cigarette in hand, oblivious to his surroundings, and deep in thought. he ran out of toiletpaper and also had a sudden craving for sour pickles.



oil on canvas / 9.8" x 7.9" in (25cm x 20cm) / 2011
sold

the writer

mr. mansur is writing a new book. a collection of personal short stories and poems, that will no doubt elevate him to new celebratory levels as a narrator and master storyteller. his poems unfold like blooming flowers, providing an antidote to insomnia and sorrow. his is an endless journey, that draws the reader to an unknown destiny.




oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

the shop is closed

mr. tarek closed his shop for the day. he runs a small printing house, a family business. but he also trades in cheesy silk slippers and lemon trees on the side.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

night patrol

it is getting dark and the officers are getting tired. the street is surprisingly calm, and there is a distinct scent of fried fish and tobacco in the air, mixed in with intangible thoughts of changes, upheavals and empty promises.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011 / $175
sold

men gathering

what better place to spend an evening than at the local coffeehouse, in the company of friends and neighbors, sipping tea, and talk boring politics, or even worse, debate about sports, followed by the occasional inevitable emotional tantrum, due to disagreements in disposition.


oil on canvas / 35.4" x 25.6" in (90cm x 65cm) / 2011

exhibit in Cairo, Egypt

flower pot

this flower pot rested on the beautiful roof of a lover. when the love affair ended, the flowers died.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011 / $185
SOLD

cisterne

this is from the vintage family album. the delicate boy is from a fragmented past. fetching well water, on a carpet of succulent greens, he is for the moment satisfied with the transient simplicity of this scene.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

waiting room

he has been waiting for three hours. pacing up and down the corridor, he finally sat down with a smoke, having reached acceptance of the fact that the wait might be of an eternal nature.




oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

street boys

the two boys are hopeful to catch a ride, their spirits high with anticipation of devouring a sumptuous dinner roast, and bread soaked in broth. they will be licking their fingers, and share a few morsels with the dog.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
SOLD

motorcycle

portrait of a motorcycle. there is a rabbit in the basket. it rode all the way from the friday market. he has nothing to worry about. he will not be sacrificed.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

mother and child

my mother and i are drinking the silence of the countryside.

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

rose cafe

sharifa has nurtured the habit of longing for the past, but today, the world of illusion must be left behind. she will order a double espresso and fudge cake, and forget about her lover.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

flowers amongst trees

this is where we as children played hide and seek.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

truck with industrial load

the trucker who brings to old planes unknown matter of freshness, evoking enthusiasm from those who are not afraid of the new.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

rapper boy

oil on canvas / 6" x 7.5" in (15cm x 19cm) / 2011 / $200
sold

the orchard cruise

my dear friend, i thought it best to conduct business on this cruise, away from prying eyes.



oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

tarkovsky's apple eater

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

suspenders

he has a girlfriend, but prefers to live alone.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

rendezvous with her lover

getting ready with some trepidation. after all, her lover is married and she is thinking of bringing this half-baked relationship to an end.


oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

the trainer

a bit rough around the edges.



oil on canvas / 7" x 11.8" in (18cm x 30cm) / 2011

the referee

oil on canvas / 5.5" x 6.7" in (14cm x 17cm) / 2011
SOLD

girl by the lake

oil on canvas / 9.4" x 15.7" in (24cm x 40cm) / 2011

smoking author and playwright

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011
sold

bearded man

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011 $200
sold

mafia

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

commander

oil on canvas / 6" x 6" in (15cm x 15cm) / 2011

chubby boy

oil on canvas / 4.7" x 4.7" in (12cm x 12cm) / 2011

soldier

oil on canvas / 4.7" x 4.7" in (12cm x 12cm) / 2011
sold

wounded boy

oil on canvas / 4.7" x 4.7" in (12cm x 12cm) / 2011