Las Mil y Una Noches (One Thousand and One Nights)

Oil on Masonite / 10″ x 6″ (25.4cm x 15.24cm)
@ auction

The One Thousand and One Nights or best known as the Arabian Nights stories was one of my favorite books of all times. I remember reading each and every one of those stories over and over again. My imagination going wild imagining princesses wearing beautiful dresses waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince, or the adventures of Sinbad the sailor.

So when I was hired this past May for a wedding here in Detroit and was told belly and sword dancers were part of the wedding amenities, immediately this book came back to my mind and the opportunity to take pictures for my version of the Arabian Nights became a reality.

One of the perks if you will, of daily painting, is the fact that sometimes we as artists have to choose not exactly the best “scene to paint”. The truth is ever since I’ve been on brush rest (same as bed rest… sort of) I’ve been able to really explore more with my photography and pick the scenes that I like the best, that have the best composition and best “drama” light, rather than the ones I need for today’s painting. This is one of those scenes which I truly adore! a sword dancer waiting for his cue to enter the stage and do his performance. Below the original image that inspired this painting.

I know I’m not painting as I used to, I can’t even accomplish 5 paintings a month, much less painting daily, so this blog is not longer valid for daily painting but more like “one painting whenever I can”, but bear with me as I’m slowly recovering from my neck injuries and slowly (annoyingly very slowly! =P) getting back on track.

This painting is available at auction directly from my site. Click the link above for a chance to place your bid.