Welcomeback to "CactuSueños"

In 2003, when I moved from New York to Gran Canaria I found the island has vast diversity of  vegetation, all kinds. Especially the cactus plant which always I admired its flower, the untouchable spine and its fruit "tuna"...  I visited in the island several botanical gardens, including the biggest cactus garden "Cactualdea" which is the biggest in all Europe and also the biggest botanical garden " Jardin del botanico" in Europe, as well. Learning the Canarian art history I wasn't suprized that this beautiful plant inspired many Canarian artists, like myself...

A good example, one of the great Gran Canarian painters called " Néstor Martín- Fernández de la Torre" (1887-1937)

Néstor Martín- Fernández de la Torre

Triptic Mural "El Mar"- lateral derecho- Casino Isla Tenerife

 The very first cactus painting was a group of cactus called the type of "cordon" in our garden. Several cactus paintings followed by with these style which looks like "abstract figurative".

Orange flowerd cactus

Oil on canvas, 60 x 100 cm., 2004 

The transition was inevitable, folowing few years the subject of cactus didn't changed but the paintings formed by with new colours, tecniques and additionally using my selfportraits. A very first painting with these style I think, it can be called as "figurative symbolism". The name of the series formed after this painting cause, I was portraying myself in each painting dreaming...

Cactusueños I

Oil on panel, 45 x 105 cm., 2007

(SOLD)

I am working on and off with Cactusueños close to 8 years now. You will be seeing soon my latest works... Keep it real, Cheers!

 To see more works visit at my web page

New Studio

These days I was busy working to set my new studio. There are three sections in the studio room; drawing, painting and digital work station. I have lots of light in the afternoons till late hours. Frech air comes through the balcony door  and I can see the park which is right across the street. The floor is covered with very nice ceramic tiles, it's easy to clean. I have a big closet to fill most of supplies and a shelf to put all the mediums and tools. Looking forward to create many artworks in this new studio...

   View from the new studio

Amicus res rara

“Amicus res rara” True friend is a rare thing

Oil painting and mixed media on canvas - 22 x 22 cm – 2011

If you have at least one good friend in this life you must consider yourself lucky. Latin proverb says “Amicus res rara” (true friend is a rare thing). What is really a true friend for you? Let’s define this person; maybe someone you can understand and express yourself or someone you can count on, someone gives you his/her friendship without any expectations… I love this song “Friends” by “Flight of the concords. Enjoy it! Have a wonderful week! Don't forget to keep in touch with your good friends...

How I designed table tops with artworks

At the end of 2011 I got hired for designing table tops for a new restaurant which will be open at the end of February in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. I prepared 10 different design drafts and 3 were chosen by this client. To create these designs I used some images of my "cactusueños" oil colour painting series. The client was very happy with my artwork, she is offering more design jobs for her new restaurant. Actually last year she purchased one of my painting ( see Cactusueños II ). When someone appreciates of my creativity and hardwork and comebacks to me it really turns me on and gives me a lots of motivation! It's great way to start to the new year :))

Table top design, oil paiting images on pvc, 1 m. diameter January 2012

From studio's window

In the beginning of 2012 we have this fantastic weather in Gran Canaria. Actually we are expecting the cold weather soon at the peaks of the island and they say it may even snow this year!

What I see from my painting studio's window. Beautiful green valley with the palm trees and view to Atlantic ocean...

A wish from 2012 - Terra firma

"Terra firma" Stable earth

Oil on canvas and mixed media, 22 x 22cm., 2011

I wish a stable and strong earth from 2012. No more shakes, my home country, Turkey suffered several earthquakes just few months ago. Many devistated stories and sadness...