MEET: Lama AlSulaimani

​Describe yourself and your work. 
My name is Lama Alsulaimani I am a finance graduate from Prince Mohammed Bin Fahad University, which is nothing related to art. However, I am enchanted by painting as it has helped many people to run away from their own thoughts. Art was a part of my childhood because I could always make drawings of simple things, such as flowers which required minimal painting and simple color patterns. Art classes enhanced my drawing skills, and now artwork has become my hobby.
 
When did you start doing art and why? 
I started painting and drawing when I was seven years old and I used to do it while at home and school. I have been infected with Hypothyroidism for like ten years now. The doctor who attended me in my childhood was very friendly and open to conversation. To every appointment with her, I used to bring some of the drawings that I made. She hung the paintings in her office. Together with my mother, they inspired me to continue drawing and painting. My mother is an artist too, and I could copy some ideas from her drawings.
 
What difficulties do you face being an artist in Khobar ?
Whenever there is an event, a lot of fees are required for one to present his or her work. It is also difficult to get a chance to introduce your piece because there are many artists in the area who apply to participate in the event. Consequently, such a difficult situation discouraged me. Many people in this region are not interested in artwork, hence it is hard to get the market for drawings. To gain publicity in such area, where people show no attention to artwork, is also problematic and challenging.
 
What changes would you like to see happen for the art world in Khobar?
In Khobar, there are art materials in only few stores and libraries. Supplier stores for painting and art materials should be opened in the city in order to make it easy for the artists to buy what's needed. The supplier stores need to be capable of meeting the demand of the artists within a region. More art workshops can also be established to provide enough opportunities for the artists to present their works.
 
What type/genre of art would you like to see get more attention here?
I got a chance to do some art pieces in the Sanad in wonderland event that highlighted its theme in a beautiful way. I noticed that all of the participants who got a chance to present their works did very amazing and creative art. I do not have to choose a specific type of artwork because I think that Saudi artists are very talented and everyone has his or her own type of art. As an artist, I can only say that we create new types and styles every time. But If I were to answer this question, I would say that I would like to see Islamic calligraphy art getting more attention since we are in an Islamic country and I did not notice a lot of young calligraphers here.

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Make sure to check her out!