Nostalgia

This is my friend, Özlem. She had this picture in Cappadocia. When I saw the picture I wanted to paint it with my own style, kind of surrealist!

             I painted these with wacom tablet. It was fun and hard.  I used some effects for the second.

My first art book

Hi guys, I'm really happy to share my first art book. This book means a lot to me because it's the first print of my art. . I'd like to thank shutterfly  for such an awesome print. Quality is perfect. Colors are bright. Contrast is good. You can find many things to print on their web site. Here is the link http://www.shutterfly.com

Miniature Paintings

 Recently, I've been searching about miniature painting and found some which I'm really in love with and wanted to share with you. As you see, they are beautiful.  They are so small that we can't see the details but the style is very impressive and creative.

I'm definitely going to paint the Maiden Tower. I'd like to see it in my home all the time.

Here are some I'd like to share with you. These are from the Ottoman Empire period.

Maiden Tower

Look at the birds, the tower, ships and the moon. Look at the shape of the waves.
It's very creative, isn't it?

Conquering Istanbul

Noah's Ark

If you'd like to find more information about Ottoman miniatures go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_miniature

A story of two men

Hello guys, I'd like to tell you about two people in history. First one is Fatih Sultan Mehmed, who was an emperor of the Ottoman Empire, and the second is Gentile Bellini who was an Italian painter. How did these two people come together?  What happened to them? Let's take a look! It's an interesting story.

Let me first tell you about Sultan Mehmed II. He lived between 1432 and 1481. He was the 7th emperor of Ottoman Empire. After conquering Istanbul he was called Fatih, which means conqueror.

When Fatih Sultan Mehmed conquered Istanbul, many Venetians lived in Istanbul. Conquering Istanbul harmed the Venetian people. That's why between the years 1453 and 1479 the Ottomans and Venetians had many conflict. Finally, the Venetian senate accepted a peace settlement. Then Gentile Bellini was sent to Istanbul as a painter and a cultural ambassador.

Sultan Mehmed was very interested in art and culture therefore it was important to have a portrait by a very talented painter.  Before Bellini painted the portrait, Sultan Mehmed wanted to make sure he was a talented painter. That's why Bellini painted other portraits at the palace. When Sultan Mehmed saw the paintings he was satisfied and let Bellini to paint the portrait. Then Bellini finished the portrait of Sultan Mehmed in November 25th, 1480 and signed it. Sultan Mehmed was very pleased with the painting.

Let me tell you about Gentile Belline. He was born in 1429 in Venice. His father and brother were renowned painters. Gentile was taught painting by his father. He created many paintings but they were destroyed by fire. That's why only a few paintings remained. He was the first painter who painted a portrait of an Ottoman emperor. He died in 1507.


We don't know how the portrait went out of the palace but after Sultan Mehmed, Beyazid II was the emperor and He didn't like the paintings of human faces and he thought it was sinful. Therefore it's said that it was taken by a dealer. Also some say that it was taken by the artist when he left Istanbul. It's unknown what happened for certain and how the painting was taken to Venice.

The painting finally went to London. Let me tell about it. British ambassador Henry Layard bought the painting from a Venetian collector between 1877-1880 and before he died he requested that the painting go to the National Gallery Museum.  This is how it ends.

Fatih Sultan Mehmed II, 1480; oil on canvas; National Gallery, London.

If you're wondering, here's what I think about this painting.  Firstly it's a very realist painting. Sultan Mehmed had an illness and you can understand it from his face. Also we see six crowns on the top and one more at the bottom which means to me they show his power.  They show he was the seventh emperor of Ottoman. The colors are dark but I like the contrast. One day, if I go to London, I'd like to see the painting very much.

Thanks a lot for reading.

Gunes

Ataturk's Portraits

Feyhaman Duran, 1934

Nazmi Ziya Guran, 1926, Istanbul

Vilhelm Victor Krausz, 1916 Anafartalar


This painting was the first portrait of Ataturk. Krausz painted this in Canakkale during the war, Anafartalar. To me, this painting focuses on Ataturk's eyes, which were very bright blue and give many massages.

Mihri Hanim 


She was the first Turkish woman painter. That's why I like this painting more because women need to be supported and encouraged in Turkey.

Arthur Kampf, 1927 Cankaya Kosku

Ibrahim Calli, 1934




Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (19 May 1881-10 November 1938) was the bravest, smartest Turkish soldier, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He was the founder of the Republic of Turkey.  He always appreciated art.


Many museums were opened. Art events were started.  Books and magazines were published.
He did anything to support Turkish art. He was always interested in art since his childhood.


He was the most important leader to me. His revolutions has given freedom to Turks and I believe is we have to appreciate his reforms. We have to respect him.


He believed that if nations want to be developed and advanced, they have to support art and artists.


He said that "A nation devoid of art and artists cannot have a full existence.”  And he was completely right. Art is very important for nations. These days in Turkey,  because of censorship and control of art, art is losing itself, instead of giving messages and criticizing. That makes me sad. In Turkey, artists can't have an art show which has nude paintings. Isn't it terrible? Sculptures are being destroyed because they are ugly, and freakish. I'm so sorry Ataturk! I know If you knew that this things are going on, you would be so sorry as well!


I'm one of them who love art and follow your reforms.  As long as I live you'll be in my heart.


Gunes