An orignal painting for a gift

Monday blog post #90

I just made a short break to write my Monday blog post while I left one of the paintings to dry so I can continue with it...
It is a bit stressful as I need to finish 6 more custom ordered paintings and few more smaller things in less then a week but I am looking forward to hear happy thoughts and smiley faces when people receive them as a gift.
It is great that the weather in Doha is nice so I can be at my balcony, enjoying the sun and light. It is a huge difference painting in a good daylight and painting in my studio when it's dark outside :(

Here are two of my recent custom ordered paintings:

Last week I participated in two events:
Ritz-Carlton's Christmas Tree Lightning Ceremony and Little Christmas Market and MIA Park Bazaar.
Both events were outdoor and they were really nice. I liked the atmosphere, the weather and getting feedback on my work.

Thank you all for coming!!!


Here are few photos:

My table at the Ritz-Carlton Little Christmas Market on 3rd December 2014

My table at the Ritz-Carlton Little Christmas Market on 3rd December 2014

Ritz-Carlton Little Christmas Market on 3rd December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table and me at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

 

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

My table at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 6th December 2014

See you on Monday at my blog :))) as I am not participating in any event until the end of January 2015.

Sending you my smile with love,
Dominika

Dinosaur, Sardines and Bazaar

Monday blog post #71

Busy busy women :DDD

Last week I spent working on few custom orders and my favorite is dinosaur painting on t-shirt. That was my first time painting with fabric colors and I was really excited to see how it will went. Great help was a tracing pen which self-disappears after 2-3 days and I used it to draw everything before I started painting. Pen is called JAVANA disappearing Pen
You can find it in art shop called Art Elements (www.facebook.com/ArtElementsQatar) in the Gate Mall in Doha on 2nd floor.

Hand-painted t-shirt by Dominika Bozic

Hand-painted t-shirt by Dominika Bozic

My sardine brooches starting to be popular, they are really cute and each is different with a different a bit strange names (I give them names typing on my keyboard without looking :)))))

Handmade felt sardine brooch "Glun" designed and made by Dominika Bozic

Handmade felt sardine brooch "Hek" designed and made by Dominika Bozic

Handmade felt sardine brooch "Iden" designed and made by Dominika Bozic

Handmade felt sardine brooch "Shilu" designed and made by Dominika Bozic

Handmade felt sardine brooch "Beko" designed and made by Dominika Bozic

There was not much time for new creations for the bazaar at the Museum of Islamic Art Park but I managed to make one cute little painting with ink and watercolors "Vilma" which is now with her new owner. I love antique looking frames, when ever I see them I have to buy them and my work always looks nice in them.

Original painting with ink and watercolors "Vilma" by Dominika Bozic

Oh and at the Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on Saturday was pretty hot but really windy so I only noticed when it was over that I got sunburns on my chest, neck and arms... not good :(
But the bazaar was nice with lots of beautiful comments. I am really grateful for them, thank you all for coming even though it was hot!

All the photos were taken by me except the ones of me, they were taken by my hubby :*

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 5th April 2014

Sending you my smile with love,
Dominika

Interview with Mel Shade manager at Inspiration Station

Monday blog post #66

Hello!!!

I have exciting news today!!!
My friend and manager of art and craft school Inspiration Station Mel agreed to give an interview for my blog!!!
Before I continue with the interview I just want to tell you how I had a busy week.

On Monday I was at the ARTogehter with my art group International Artists Doha  and we were learning new technique of painting using acrylic colors, tissue paper, chalk, our imagination and all of us created such a wonderful paintings. More photos here

my painting in progress

Next two days I spent in preparing materials for printing and visited my printing company Blink.

I was also working on a cute little painting of llama for baby girl Isabella and I forgot to take a photo (can't believe that happened!!!).

On Saturday I participated in MIA Park Bazaar, my favorite market in Doha. More photos here

my display at the MIA Park Bazaar 1st March 2014

And on Sunday I set up display with my work at Inspiration Station.
IS  is a new art and craft school in Doha. When I first found out about it in August 2013, I was still on vacation in Croatia and I was so happy to hear amazing news! I immediately sent message to Mel, manager of the school and asked for a meeting after I come back. From the moment we met I realized how great person she is. We are now working together on collaboration with a group me and my friend Gabi started called QatART and we have lots of benefits for our members that Mel have provided for us. One of them is a two weeks display with our handmade products at her school. My display will be there from 2nd until 14th March and before you go please check their calendar to see when they are open (when there is a class they are open).

Interview with Mel Shade, an artist, a crafter, a designer, a manager of Inspiration Station, and the list goes on...

Mel Shade
photo by me

1. How did you come up with the idea to start art and craft school in Doha and how long did it take from the idea to the realization? 
The idea for the school came from 2 directions. From the side of Louise, my business partner, was an opportunity to do something new and interesting with space she had in her Pre-school business. She shares my enjoyment of crafting and making things and approached me with the opportunity to use it. From my side I have been a teacher for 8 years. I have always been interested in the crossover between art and craft and had dreams of having an arty/crafty supplies shop that also provided lesson. So, Inspiration Station is the beginning of the dream.

2. Everything from interior design: painted walls, cushions on sofas, furniture, signs to online presence is perfectly coordinated. Who is standing behind the branding of the school? 
I am in charge of and have had a lot of fun working on the branding of the school. The name Inspiration Station came from brainstorming what I thought were the two most important things to communicate - what we are all about and where we are. Al Waab petrol station is our closest landmark and so the idea to 'refuel your creativity' started to form. And as for the coordination of the decoration etc...my starting point is always colour. I think as the most basic building block it helps to unite all design decisions.

photos from http://ourinspirationstation.wordpress.com/

3. Who are the people who come to your workshops? 
At the moment I mostly have women attend my classes but I'm hoping that everyone feels welcome to join in on learning something new and creative...women, men, children, teens, ...everyone! I have kids classes and evening sessions on the schedule.

4. You are the manager of the school and the tutor for all the workshops and activities at the moment. How do you manage to organize your time?
How do I manage my time? Well, I live and breath Inspiration Station. It's my baby - I want to see it succeed so it takes a lot (as in ALL) of my time at the moment. It is worth it though!


5. You are known as a very talented person who make all kinds of different art and craft projects. What is your favorite project you have ever done?
My favorite project is really difficult to choose. I have tried so many different things as I love to learn new skills. I guess I always look back fondly on work I did during my first year of my Fine Arts degree. I was making cardboard sculptures, wax casts, string drawings, embroidery, installations and all kinds of things. It was great fun!

6. Give me an interesting fun fact or a few about your school:
I had a lot of fun decorating the space. The feature wall in the cozy room is hand painted and took a total of 28 hours work.
I get a lot of compliments on our large cutting table in the sewing room, that is custom made based on my designs. I had forgotten to consider the width of the door frame and was VERY lucky that it JUST squeezed through!

7. Do you have any advice you would give anyone interested in Art or Craft?
My advice is to always be open to trying new things and be ready to make lots of mistakes. I have found that the best ideas come from the biggest disasters!

Please find more information about Inspiration Station on their web site
Please find more information about Mel Shade on her web site

Sending you my smile with love,
Dominika

Souvenirs from Qatar

Monday blog post #65

My trip to Lisbon got me thinking about souvenirs from Qatar.

Patterns
photo by me 

In Lisbon I found the shop specialized for souvenirs called Lisbon Shop. You can find about everything you can think of (t-shirts, tote bags, chocolates, sardine canes, sea salt, jams, key chains, magnets, brooches, coasters, jewelry, plushy toys...) with images of tram 28, sardines, rooster or traditional tiles (azulejos) on facade of old house in Lisbon. There are also small shops with products of local artists and designers, small galleries and restaurants/shops all with locally made products.

Sardine from Lisbon
photo by me

In Qatar I believe the best souvenirs can be found at the Souq Wakif, museums and bazaars. Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar also has a nice shop with stuff from local designers and artists. Museums have shops with neat stuff but some of them are not locally made. I found one really nice shop at the Souq Wakif with lamps and you can see how they make them and they can adjust them to your need.

Souq Wakif
photo by me

There are lots of Arts and Crafts Bazaars, Markets and Fairs around Qatar but you need to know when and where.

Here is the list for February and March 2014

22.2.2014 International Family Food Fair at School of London, 1:30-4:30 PM
28.2.2014 the 2014 Friendship Festival at American School of Doha, 12-6PM
1.3.2014 Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar, 12-7PM
8.3.2014 Doha British School 10am-2pm
22.3.2014 Annual Spring Fair at the new Doha College West Bay campus
29.3.2014 Sherborne craft market 12-4pm

One of the nicest is Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar and it's easy to remember that is on every first Saturday of the month from 12-7pm. Present are local artists and designers with their unique and one of a kind artwork.
In Qatar, there are also many painters and photographers who sell their prints or original work with motifs of Qatar and some of them are present at Bazaars, Markets and Fairs as well.
Some shops like Impression Boutique at the Pearl Qatar and Beautiful Things Qatar at Royal Plaza Mall sell products from local designers as well. Every mall has shops with famous oud perfumes and gold jewelry which can be also nice expensive souvenir.

Doha
photo by me

I would like to hear from you if you know any cool place to shop for souvenirs and products from Qatar and what is your favorite souvenir you have ever bought?

Sending you my smile with love,
Dominika

Customized cupcake boxes

 Monday blog post #63

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar on 1st February 2014

Oh, I missed two of my Monday blog posts because I was working so hard on few projects simultaneously. Now I'm back and want to tell you all about them.

First project
First project was designing and making  handmade brooches, key chains and iphone 5 covers for the limited edition of uncuffed products. It's a bit different from everything I do with red and black felt, lace and Swarovski crystals. The client was more then happy with all of them.
I don't have the photos but once I get them I'll publish them.

Second project
Second project was for famous restaurant in Doha called Sugar & Spice. They've asked me to do artwork for cupcake boxes and wish cards as a special limited edition for their 2nd Anniversary.
Here are some photos of the original artwork and in the next blog post I'll show you the photos of cards and boxes.
Celebration is on Sunday, 9th February from 10am-10pm so don't miss it!
You will also get a gift as their customer, something cute and tasty.
And of course write your wish for their 2nd Anniversary!

artwork for cupcake boxes by Dominika Bozic

artwork for cupcake boxes by Dominika Bozic

artwork for cupcake boxes by Dominika Bozic

Third project
Third project are paintings for my upcoming group exhibition with my art group in Qatar called International Artists Doha from 29th April to 3rd May 2014 on a theme  "Rooh al Hayat (The Essence or Soul of Life)".
I've already started making my work for the exhibition based on my drawings from when I was only five years old. My grandmother kept all the drawings my two sisters, me and my two cousins made at her home. Now when I went back home for Holidays I brought them with me to Doha and I'm using them as sketches for the paintings.

work in progress by Dominika Bozic 

Fourth
Fourth was a Bazaar on Saturday, 1st February at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. It was so nice and some of the members from my other group - QatART handmade community were next to me so we could chat and help each others.

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Museum of Islamic Art Park Bazaar in February

Now I'm off to make more art!!!

Have a lovely day :D

Sending you my smile with love,
Dominika