The Artist and her Cats – Painting our Feline Friends

Cats have been of extreme importance to me throughout my life of 31 years. Having reared kittens, rescued cats and met many along my journey, these majestic and complicated feline friends are to me more than beautiful creature but are inspiring and have become my best friends and even family.

I decided to start painting cats when I realised how important they were to my artistic process. My three cat progenies who my husband and I treat as our offspring (not as human babies) but as the wonderful species that they are, are called Omar (our 10 year old moggy), Isabella (our 8 year old Burmese) and our youngest Logan (a 5 year old Bengal).

They rush to greet us as we arrive home, they speak to us in a language which we have adapted to best understand one another, they are attached to us as we are them and require constant attention and care, which we are more than happy to give. We feel privileged to share our lives with our fury brood and at times when I am unable to leave my home or am so overwhelmed by sadness or trauma my phenomenal little ones comfort me and lick my tears away.

So I shall continue to honour the species I feel akin to by painting them and creating lasting impressions of them.

Here is my latest called “Lucy Loves Laziness”

Lucy was my Mothers cat when I was little, she was a wise cat, full of neurosis, who did not particularly like me, but I shall always remember her curled up in the flower beds, whilst keeping a watch out for small insects to eat.

Lucy Loves Laziness - By Charlotte Farhan — Lucy Loves Laziness – By Charlotte Farhan

Here is a look at the other cat portraits in my collection, most have been sold, prints available and greeting cards coming soon.

If you are interested in one of these or have a feline friend you wish me to do a portrait of please fill in the form below for further details.

Original paintings cost £55.00

Prints cost £25.00

Commissioned Cat Portraits cost £45.00

All images are 10″ x 12″ x 1″ and are on box canvas or high quality printing paper.

And here are our 3 beautiful family members:

Logan – Photography By – Charlotte Farhan

Isabella – Photography By – Charlotte Farhan

Omar – Photography By – Charlotte Farhan

Thank you for visiting…

Breaking through during waking – An Exhibition by Charlotte Farhan

A week ago today I was half way through my first solo two day exhibition at NSH Arts in London, Mile End. I was feeling very excited and felt very blessed that the evening before had gone so well and how wonderfully I had been received. My exhibition was organised by Art Saves Lives an organisation which I am a resident artist for in London. The exhibition was my largest yet with 26 paintings.

The Venue – NSH Arts – London

The Space

“A classic Georgian House the east end of London, 439 Mile End Road has been refurbished to offer a versatile set of spaces intended for exhibition of 2D and 3D installations, music, theatre and study. The scale is defined by the domestic setting – but the possibilities are dramatic – including opera and indoor/outdoor exhibitions.”

Nick Hugh the director was so helpful and operates his venue and organisation with a relaxed professionalism which is calming for the artist and audience.

For further details please visit NSH Arts website

http://www.nsharts.org/index.html

Organised by Art Saves Lives – London

“Art Saves Lives is a not-for-profit arts organisation dedicated to providing inspirational and inclusive arts experiences to engage marginalised and underprivileged young artists in the UK. We offer our artists a plethora of multi-media visual arts, performing arts and film opportunities to unleash their artistic potential and transform their lives.”

Mr Dean Stalham – Company Director, organised my exhibition and promoted it. Dean was amazing and I am very grateful for his help and dedication.

http://artsaveslives.co.uk/about-us-2/team-asl

Miss Sadie Kaye – Artistic Director, offered continuous moral support and aided me through out my creative process all the way from Hong Kong, as always I am very grateful.

http://www.sadiekaye.com/

Please show your support for Art Saves Lives and check out their site

http://artsaveslives.co.uk/

Exhibition Poster – created by Art Saves Lives
artsaveslives.co.uk

Here is my exhibition for all those who could not attend and for those who are just finding out about my art. I hope you will feel as if you were there.

Breaking Through During Waking – An Exhibition by Charlotte Farhan

My vision for this exhibition was a collection of my best work which represented my journey so far. From childhood memories, life stories and events, with political and religious comments and parts of my inner self which begged to be exposed and exploded from my mind on to canvas. My work is always reflective and is meant to provoke discussion and to reflect positive energy from colour.

Alter Ego (self portrait) By Charlotte Farhan
This is my only and first attempt at a self-portrait. I also reflected my alter ego instead of my outer known self. My alter ego is a moody, dramatic and negative nightmare with no care for the world or their place in it.

Amman Cityscape (down town) - By Charlotte Farhan — Amman Cityscape (down town) – By Charlotte Farhan
From the collection ‘Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom)’ 2012 A naive abstraction of shape and use of engaging colours to represent the feelings and expressions the city gives.

Anxiety - By Charlotte Farhan — Anxiety – By Charlotte Farhan
This is a depiction of anxiety. The 5 symbols are the main neurotransmitters involved with anxiety. Anxiety disorders are associated with decreased activity of serotonin, dopamine and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. Norepinephrine (NE) and Epinephrine (adrenalin) can be overactive and are the hormones and neurotransmitter which allows us to have the “fight or flight” response to stress.

A Spoon Full Of Sugar - By Charlotte Farhan — A Spoon Full Of Sugar – By Charlotte Farhan
Medication is as easy to get hold of as candy. People are being medicated and loured in by false advertisements and ideals towards states of constant happiness. Being locked into a system which is designed as a business, not an organisation for the welfare of human kind.

The Way You Make Me Feel - By Charlotte Farhan — The Way You Make Me Feel – By Charlotte Farhan
From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013 This represents the healthy acceptance of my body with the love of my husband and myself which has been an on-going struggle throughout my life. Being healthy is beautiful whichever shape you are.

True Colours - By Charlotte Farhan — True Colours – By Charlotte Farhan
From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013 Our inner feelings are often masked and not shown. This is a reflection on our inner voice and true feelings.

Rainbow Street (Amman) & Amman at Dusk – By Charlotte Farhan
Amman at Dusk – By Charlotte Farhan
Amman, is a city which reminds me of how strong I am and reminds me of the adventure and diversity which exists on our planet. I have faced many fears to visit this amazing city in Jordan where my husband is from. It is a spiritual home where I found an inner peace on my second visit in 2011.
Amman, Rainbow Street – By Charlotte Farhan
“Rainbow Street” is in the historic area of Jabal Amman, Jordan. This is the home of the artistic community located at the heart of Amman’s oldest neighbourhood. An inspirational and energetic vibe is felt here.

Silence is Oppressive - By Charlotte Farhan — Silence is Oppressive – By Charlotte Farhan
Fear of telling a secret or confessing to feelings of despair or self-loathing can causes the silence to rule over you repressively. Our mind and body holds these feelings and thoughts and buries them in our memory to preserve how much our mind can deal with at any one time, dictating our thoughts.

Le Consulat, Montmartre, Paris - By Charlotte Farhan — Le Consulat, Montmartre, Paris – By Charlotte Farhan
This is from the collection ‘Ma belle France’ 2013 A naive impression of the famous cafe in Montmartre, Paris, called Le Consulat. In the background you can see the Sacre Coeur.

Genderless Love - By Charlotte Farhan — Genderless Love – By Charlotte Farhan
Love is genderless! Our culture and most cultures associate love to have different natures and to be felt differently by the opposite sex or that a same sex relationship has limits, boundaries and shame. Love is genderless, it is limitless.

Candy Girl By Charlotte Farhan
This is a comment on the consequences of the over exposure and sexualisation which children are subjected to in our media. This directly has a negative impact on self-image and healthy development, self-image problems such as shame leading to depression and anxiety.

She is a Warrior - By Charlotte Farhan — She is a Warrior – By Charlotte Farhan
I like to think of myself as a survivor or more accurately a warrior. I have fought battles and defeated negative armies. I like the visualisation that my inner warrior is in control and can defeat negative thoughts instantly.

Dualism - By Charlotte Farhan — Dualism – By Charlotte Farhan
An expressionist representation of physical and spiritual dualism, from a philosophical view point. I asked myself what is spirit?

That Day - By Charlotte Farhan — That Day – By Charlotte Farhan
This is an expressionist piece reflecting the sadness and isolation experienced after a devastating trauma and how “that day” is frozen in time forever.

Memories - By Charlotte Farhan — Memories – By Charlotte Farhan
Trees have played an important role in many of the world’s mythologies and religions, and have been given deep and sacred meanings throughout the ages. My trees symbolise life and death and in particular the death of my friend Jenny who lives on in my art as a tree.

Paris at Dawn - By Charlotte Farhan — Paris at Dawn – By Charlotte Farhan
Paris is where my family are from and is where I spent so much of my life. I am proud to be French and will always enjoy and feel the need to paint my city

Misused & Abused - By Charlotte Farhan — Misused & Abused – By Charlotte Farhan
A political statement about the role religion plays and how it is used to accuse and vindicate our beliefs towards who is to blame for poverty, hunger and war.

A Gift From You - By Charlotte Farhan — A Gift From You – By Charlotte Farhan
From ‘The Flower Collection’ 2013 A gift that is given of beauty and nature has been used for centuries and its meaning is endless. The language of flowers, called floriography, was a form of communication in which flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing the expression of feelings which otherwise could not be spoken.

Feeling Love - By Charlotte Farhan — Feeling Love – By Charlotte Farhan
This is from the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2012 A mixed media piece which symbolises the feeling of being loved unconditionally.

Divine Authority - By Charlotte Farhan — Divine Authority – By Charlotte Farhan
I grew up as a French Catholic and went to Roman Catholic convents and schools in England. A concept and dogma was a faceless authority of all good and bad to me as a child. It has led me to another spiritual path of deism but the authority is still felt and engrained.

Freedom Over Life - By Charlotte Farhan — Freedom Over Life – By Charlotte Farhan
This explores the controversy surrounding suicide. This is a representation of my beautiful best friend Jenny who I met in an adolescent psychiatric ward, she committed suicide after suffering from severe mental illness and being hospitalised for years. Jenny’s medical condition caused her to make a choice. As devastated as we all were we all understood and felt no anger. Jenny is free now.

Earth - By Charlotte Farhan — Earth – By Charlotte Farhan
This symbolises the notion of “mother earth” and how nature can immolate gender association and how we anthropomorphize nature.

PTSD – By Charlotte Farhan
This is a reflective piece. It is painted in a naïve style. This represents the image my inner child would paint to explain the emotions attached to this condition. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe condition that may develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events.

With Flowers in her Hair - By Charlotte Farhan — With Flowers in her Hair – By Charlotte Farhan
From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013 Women have been associated with the physical side of life our role has always been described as being ‘closer to nature’. Women have been affected by the devaluation throughout time and this is reflected in our images and media, this is an image to empower and readdress the positive.

X Rated - By Charlotte Farhan — X Rated – By Charlotte Farhan
A women climaxing and feeling extreme pleasure and lust. Women are still thought of differently when thought to be sexually liberated. Negative associations and expectations are placed on women.

During my exhibition the fabulously talented pianist Fabio Tedde played his music. Fabio’s music set the scene for a relaxed evening. Pleasure for the ears and the eyes was our collaboration.

Here are some videos of Fabio Tedde for you to listen to

You can also visit his website

http://www.fabiotedde.com/en/index.php

Fabio Tedde playing at Charlotte Farhan's exhibition at NSH Arts — Fabio Tedde playing at Charlotte Farhan’s exhibition at NSH Arts, London Photography by Charlotte & Mohammed Farhan

The Wonderful singer/songwriter Lánre also sang three amazing songs and the one she picked especially for my exhibition, was this song called “inspiration”

Lánre – Inspiration

Lánre - Singing at Charlotte Farhan's exhibition at NSH Arts, London. Photography By Charlotte and Mohammed Farhan — Lánre – Singing at Charlotte Farhan’s exhibition at NSH Arts, London. Photography By Charlotte and Mohammed Farhan

Lánre is a beautiful women with true soul which runs deep and pleases the ears with a delightful ease and passion. A rising star who has a long and bright future ahead, watch this space because Lánre is coming!!

Fabio Tedde & Lánre performing together at Charlotte Farhan's Exhibition at NSH Arts, London Photography by Charlotte and Mohammed Farhan — Fabio Tedde & Lánre performing together at Charlotte Farhan’s Exhibition at NSH Arts, London
Photography by Charlotte and Mohammed Farhan

Internal Thoughts - By Charlotte Farhan Donated to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, in association with Art Saves Lives — Internal Thoughts – By Charlotte Farhan
Donated to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, in association with Art Saves Lives

GUEST SPEAKERS

We also had inspiring guest speakers and were supported by Community Options with Ian bland, speaking about the organisation and who runs a creativity project for Art Saves Lives called Credo.

http://www.community-options.org.uk/#

“Our vision is for everyone who is experiencing mental ill-health to have access to appropriate and timely support and to lead valued lives in the community as equal citizens.”

http://www.credoceramics.org/v/index

“Through gentle encouragement professional support and guidance we enable our members to explore their creative potential and build self confidence and self worth. “

Also Philip Singh, who runs a council funded user led mental health support group. Part of a network of 33 groups in tower hamlets called SUN.

http://www.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk/our-services/sun-service-user-network/

The Service User Network (S.U.N) is a group peer support service which helps people cope with personality disorder and emotional/behavioural difficulties.

It aims to help service users feel more supported, less excluded and more empowered. This is achieved through learning new coping strategies, which can help people have fewer crises, and be able to access other services more simply when needed.

S.U.N works alongside mainstream services

Inspiring and informative talks – Thank you

Dualism - By Charlotte Farhan This painting is now in the permanent art collection of Nick Hugh the director of NSH Arts and this is a true honour. — Dualism – By Charlotte Farhan
This painting is now in the permanent art collection of Nick Hugh the director of NSH Arts and this is a true honour.

Exhibition Photos – By Mohammed Farhan & Edited By Charlotte Farhan

I hope you have enjoyed my exhibition

Thank you for visiting – your support is gratefully received

If you are interested in my work please visit my website

http://www.charlottefarhanart.com/

An artist has every right – one may even say a duty – to exhibit their productions as prominently as they can.

(Jacques Barzun)

An invitation to my first solo London exhibition

For two nights only…..

On Thursday the 25th of July and Friday the 26th of July, this week! I am having my first ever London exhibition and you are invited to attend. It is organised by Art Saves Lives as I am a resident artist of theirs, here is what they said on the invitation “Brilliant young artist Charlotte Farhan is having her first London exhibition showcasing her wonderful talents at the sublime NSH ARTS gallery in MIle End”.

My art is inspired by my inner world. I explore different themes in my work such as Women & Femininity, Religion, Politics and Nature and it’s beauty. I have also started a new collection which I shall be showcasing in this exhibition and it is exploring my mental illness and the mind in general from an art therapy point of view. Plus there is at least one or two from all my previous collections.

Please come to view original visual art at a brilliant venue.

PLEASE SUPPORT! On for two nights only- one not to be missed.

We are supported by Community Options and have two wonderful guest speakers confirmed for the 25th- Ian bland, who runs a creativity project for Art Saves Lives called Credo and Philip Singh, who runs a council funded user led mental health support group… Part of a network of 33 groups in tower hamlets called SUN.

There will also be live music played by The Piano Man himself- Pianist-Composer Fabio Tedde and a Special guest Singer-Songwriter Lánre

http://lanreworld.wordpress.com/

http://www.fabiotedde.com/en/index.php

Nibbles and wine will be served.

To attend, please contact Art Saves Lives directly at info@artsaveslives.co.uk and state which evening you wish to attend either Thursday or Friday it starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 10pm

Here is the gallery website http://www.nsharts.org/index.html

Here is Art Saves Lives website http://artsaveslives.co.uk/asl-events-2/charlotte-farhan-exhibition

Here is my website: http://www.charlottefarhanart.com/

Thank you for reading and I hope you come along. If you miss it I shall be doing a special blog on the exhibition next week.

Have a great day! xxx

Silver Linings – Emotions in Colour – Solo Art Exhibition – From Charlotte Farhan

On Friday the 24th of May my first solo exhibition opened at The Art House in Southampton, Hampshire, England.

I created this exhibition to highlight my ongoing collections and to express my symbology and messages which exist in my paintings. I named the exhibition ‘Silver Linings – Emotions in Colour’ because I use my art to find and create positive energy. A lot of my art originates from my past and my negative experiences from my childhood and adolescents as well as my ongoing struggle with mental illness. I did not want to produce the cliché angst ridden art which is associated with mental illness. I wanted to inspire and create art which empowers the beauty of positivity.

For all of you who can not attend my exhibition especially those of you abroad, as promised I have created this blog post as a mini on-line exhibition so you can view my work and feel like you experienced it in the flesh! I hope you enjoy it.

SILVER LININGS – EMOTIONS IN COLOUR

BY CHARLOTTE FARHAN

Feeling Love – By Charlotte Farhan

This is from the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2012

A mixed media piece which symbolises the feeling of being loved unconditionally. £50.00

A Gift From You – By Charlotte Farhan

From ‘The Flower Collection’ 2013

A gift that is given of beauty and nature has been used for centuries and its meaning is endless. £155.00

Laying In Flowers – By Charlotte Farhan

This is from the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2011

Being at one with nature alleviates the stress of everyday life and re-energises our mind and soul. £70.00

Amman Cityscape – By Charlotte Farhan

From the collection ‘Jordan (the Hashemite Kingdom)’ 2012

A naive abstraction of shape and use of engaging colours to represent the feelings and expressions the city gives. £300.00

Le Consulat, Montmartre, Paris – By Charlotte Farhan

This is from the collection ‘Ma belle France’ 2013

A naive impression of the famous cafe in Montmartre, Paris, called Le Consulat. In the background you can see the Sacre Coeur. £400.00

Dualism – By Charlotte Farhan

An expressionist representation of physical and spiritual dualism, from a philosophical view point. I asked myself what is spirit? £155.00

Brighten Up – By Charlotte Farhan

From ‘The Flower Collection’ 2013

An expressionist piece to encourage the mind to “brighten up” our thoughts and embrace the positive which surrounds us. £50.00

Summer is Coming – By Charlotte Farhan

A naïve style painting of a tree blossoming just as summer starts. A rebirth, a chance to start again. £80.00

Sitting Pretty – By Charlotte Farhan

A naïve style painting reflecting on my world and the joy animals and nature bring to our lives. £50.00

Just to Make you smile – By Charlotte Farhan

From ‘The Flower Collection’ 2013

The language of flowers, called floriography, was a form of communication in which flowers were used to send coded messages, allowing the expression of feelings which otherwise could not be spoken. £155.00

Memories – By Charlotte Farhan

Trees have played an important role in many of the world’s mythologies and religions, and have been given deep and sacred meanings throughout the ages. My trees symbolise life and death and in particular the death of my friend Jenny who lives on in my art as a tree. £80.00

Tulip – By Charlotte Farhan

From ‘The Flower Collection’ 2013

During the Ottoman Empire, the tulip was seen as a symbol of abundance and indulgence. In fact, the era was called the Tulip era. This is an abstract piece to show how nature symbolises this abundance. £80.00

The Way You Make Me Feel – By Charlotte Farhan

From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013

This represents the healthy acceptance of my body with the love of my husband and myself which has been an on-going struggle throughout my life. Being healthy is beautiful whichever shape you are. £155.00

With Flowers In Her Hair – By Charlotte Farhan

From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013

Women have been associated with the physical side of life our role has always been described as being ‘closer to nature’. Women have been affected by the devaluation throughout time and this is reflected in our images and media, this is an image to empower and re-address the positive. £50.00

True Colours – By Charlotte Farhan

From the collection ‘The Power of Women and Femininity’ 2013

Our inner feelings are often masked and not shown. This is a reflection on our inner voice and true feelings. £50.00

END OF EXHIBITION

My exhibition is on until the 7th of July at The Art House in Southampton. Here is a link to the galleries website for more information http://www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/ this is also where I first exhibited two paintings in their summer show in 2011. So I am so pleased I got to have my first solo show here. It is such a wonderful place. Like a treasure trove of arty delights and festivities as well as live music and yummy organic vegetarian food from their wonderful cafe.

Thank you for visiting my art blog and for viewing my exhibition. Your support means the world to me. If you are interested in my work to buy or to exhibit in your venue or gallery please contact me via my email charlottefarhan83@sky.com or visit my website http://www.charlottefarhanart.com/

Photos of Charlotte Farhan’s group exhibition at The Art House, Southampton

On the 2nd of August I went to the opening of the group show Summer Exhibition at The Art House in Southampton, which was exhibiting 2 of my paintings.

It was such a lovely evening and many of my dearest friends came along to support me and to see the exhibition.

There were some beautiful paintings in varied styles and of many different subjects.

Here are some photos of the exhibition, enjoy!