Art of Taskin

At many times in life we experience Pain. We cannot hide from it or escape from it. It is part of life. Instead of hiding pain from being expressed through Art, I have chosen to express it.  Negativity or pain can be used to create something rather than hide something. ' Extracting from Pain in Nature' is purely emotionally led and inspired. I believe,  if painting can be used to express positive emotions, it can also be used to express negative emotions. Usually the negative emotions remain in our memories for longer. I realized from the negative emotions I could extract and release something positive and permanent that others could see and sense and this gave me a feeling of being free .  The first is that we as humans are bound yet distinct,connected yet individually unique like the trees that have similar leaves but differently shaped trunks and branches. The two trees stand tall but fragile, a symbol of the mix of opportunity and struggles in life, each va...

The Punjabi Awards, the first of its kind in Kenya is officially underway. It gives me a lot of happiness and honour to be nominated by the people and panel in the Arts Category. There are various other categories including Education,Media & Business. Voting for the awards has officially opened. Everyone from every community is welcome to caste their votes. Family, friends , supporters, begin casting your votes for the person you believe should win in the Arts Category. The winner wins on the basis of their contribution and abilities in arts and talent. All votes can be sent in by visiting www.pma.co.ke  A formal award recognizing ceremony of all winners will take place in November. Please visit www.pma.co.ke  , click 'vote now' & caste your vote online of the person you believe should win in each category!) + check out the PMA2015 facebook page for more @ https://m.facebook.com/pmakenya Voting ends on 13 November 2015..so send your votes soon if you have not ...

This month has been an adventurous one. After attending some exhibitions of other Artists, the inspiring has been flowing!... One of the pieces Sea of Colour (sun setting against a night view of sea) was sold during the Art Festival at Kenya Wildlife Service Kenya. The inspiration for In the Deep Blue came from my memory and imagination. I had imagined the ocean & waves hitting the shore,the mixture of soft and rough, strong intense yet small and subtle waves...which reminded me of the diversity within our human race, much like waves,some move fast others move slow, some move with the rhythm and pace of life embracing every moment others do not have the opportunity to see the full potential that life has to offer. The diversity of the human race creates variety, adds colour and depth and also unites yet distinguishes us. Together the ocean could not do without the diversity and range of the waves, such like humans need each other to survive and thrive, and together when we ...

Why I became an Artist?! Some say we were born this way others say some life changing experience changes our view and others still say we see the world differently and therefore cannot see ourselves any other way. For a long time and as a child I was moved by shapes and colours, noticing lights,shapes of flowers, stare at the night sky and busy streets, draw objects around my house, I had been filled with the awe for the world around me since I was a child and now it becomes keeping that awe and love alive. So I say we choose to be artists as adults but we are all artists, filled with imagination, joy  and awe as children.  As adults we may undergo life changes and this also has a part to play in our experience and journey in discovering ourself and matching our understanding of ourselves with the reality of who we are.  It is continually a challenge like any other profession or job to be a good Artist. It has its highs,lows and moments of frustration and doubts bu...

Every body has something to give, something to say & something to share!... Last week I received the news that Kenya is on top of the medal table in the IAAF World Championships 2015 and last weekend I had the chance to also visit the National Museum. The international Artist Amandeep Singh aka Ink just had an amazing one man show of his spectacular Artwork influenced by what he calls Sikh Art. I found it to be so enriching, refreshing and filled with depth and intrigue.   And I met Moses Muigai, a humble friendly and very versatile Artist from Kenya who had a Solo Exhibition at the Museum and recently opened The Heritage Art Gallery at Mt Longonot National Park in Kenyas Rift Valley.  There are countless number of exhibitions in Kenya from such talented & skilled creatives that one cannot possibly attend every one but making the time for such visits has always been exciting & a natural stimulator for me. There is always so much to gain and learn fro...

Some of my new paintings are ready for framing & before you got in touch wouldn't it be a good idea for you to not only imagine how it will look on the wall but also see it for yourself! .... and that is why I have posted some of my paintings in a frame against an interior room setting for all of you who are interested to see how it would look on the wall! http://taskinbutt.wix.com/artstudio#!grid/chom And want to see it in real time? there is always ofcourse the option of seeing how it will look for yourself right from your phone..simple, just search for the pixels.com app to check the piece you like in real time! on your ipad iPhone or Android and search for Taskin Butt. It's an easy, quick and painless way of seeing how the art you love will look on your wall, judging the colours, size of the piece relative on the background setting and wall and you can even compare whether you would like to see it as a framed print, canvas  without framing or also a...

Recently I have been reflecting on the idea of falling in love with our life. It is said to live a good life and fulfill our goals one has to love their life. It struck me as very apt as it is middle of the year and we decide on the plans for rest of the year and reflect on whether we managed to achieve the goals we set at the start of the year. Sometimes we search for clarity of purpose and direction and feel maybe changing location place or situation is best without thinking it could just be the way we look at it - our perspective. Maybe it is about tuning in, 'being present'. Sometimes we float through the day finishing our duties, day job or responsibilities without really being present in the moment. If we tried to be aware of how we feel little more how much more would we achieve? Without thinking of future or the past or whats going on in our head how much more would we do? Its easier said than done but most things just need another perspective. If I related taking...