Shermeen Sidiki

I love movement in a drawing that captures ones eye leading to an opening in order to breathe. Each of my drawing lives with me and becomes an extension of who I am. As people watch my drawings, I love to watch their eyes as they follow along the art and then light up with a smile!  My initial tools are the compass and the ruler. I first start with a heavy tessellated geometric pattern and then add Arabesque florals and Illumination. Once the design is completed I use my favorite medium, pastels, to add fun and color.

Sometimes I start with words that I would fall in love with. Either Arabic from the Quran that always has a sea of meaning or Urdu poetry with Sufistic interpretations.   At other times I start with a design that just starts to appear as I put pencil to paper and follow my instincts. The words in Diwani font then come later that I would add in to complete my creation. The writing makes my art speak to you and gives it meaning. As I start coloring in the patterns, certain forms get highlighted while others are suppressed and soon enough a picture emerges. I absolutely love that moment of instantaneous creativity and the message of beauty that I like to share with the world.

Awards and Recognition

• 1st place winner for 125 Plano Art Show 2017 for ” Down to earth”
• 2nd Place winner at the RCAS (Richardson Civic Art Society) 2017 for “Beyond this World”
• 2nd Place winner at IAA (Irving Art Association) 2017 for “The Throne”
• Selected at 2017 TVAA (Texas Visual Art Association) Juried show Black and Light for “Lost in Loss”
• Selected for Juried show Fresh Ideas 2017 at MC Grand Theater Lewisville for “My Homeland”
• Selected for Juried show Paper Works 2017 at Fort Works Gallery in Fort Worth for “The Entire Presence” and “My Homeland”
• Selected for Juried Art show at Fort Worth Community Art Center 2017 for “Beyond this world”
• Selected at Islamic Art Revival Series 2017 Juried art show for “Lost in Loss”
• 3rd Place Winner at 125 Plano Art Show 2015 for “Powerful”

Festivals

• Artscape at Arboretum 2016, Garland TX
• Huffines Art Trail 2016, Richardson TX
• Islamic Art Society 2016, Houston TX
• Artscape at Arboretum 2017, Garland TX
• Art in Bloom 2017, McKinney TX
• Frisco Arts Walk 2017, Frisco TX
• Huffines Arts Trail 2017, Richardson TX
• Turtle Creek Arts Festival 2017, TX