the artists wife

Razha Dancing

This was one of the most amazing scenes that I have had the pleasure of seeing in a long time and fortunately Alan Reed was able to capture the wonderful spectacle and re-create it in watercolour.  

Razha Dancing in Sur, Oman

Gulf Art

Exhibition at Bait Muzna Gallery attracts art lovers

Oman Observer

The Bait Muzna Gallery in Oman held the first exhibition “Wave of Arts” at the Sultanate’s 18 hole Golf Course at The Wave.

One of the paintings sold was of Dhows,Sur by Alan Reed.  The painting was purchased by officials of The Wave who presented it as a gift to the VIP His Highness Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd al Said who inaugurated  the exhibition.

See more of  Alan Reed Paintings of the Gulf.

Paintings of the Gulf

These last few weeks I have been experimenting building 2 mini websites and although there are still a few tweeks needed I am quite pleased with myself. The site relating to Paintings of the Gulf, including Oman, Kuwait and the UAE can be seen on www.gulfart.co.uk  I have uploaded slideshows and the Famous Sketchbook of Oman that was given to Queen Elizabeth on her visit to Muscat.

Shopping in the Souk

Every trip that we make to Oman involves an hour or so in Mutrah Souk, it provides a real insight to the flavours, smells and wheeling and dealing in the Middle East.

We always stock up on frankincense which we burn at home and of course I always have to stock up on a pashmina or two.

Spices are in abundance and so are Omani daggers, maps and old artifacts, some of which probably arn’t that old.

One has to adopt the Middle Eastern way of bartering which comes relatively easily to me having cut my craft in the Venetian local markets many years ago. Whatever price they say I usually offer about half and then meet somewhere in between which they usually seem to be happy with and so am I, which is good business.

Alan’s interest in the Souk dosn’t go much further than seeking artistic inspiration. He has painted several on the spot watercolours of “Souk life” which one can see in his skectch book of Oman.

New Look

I hope you are finding our new look Alan Reed website very informative, particularly as it gives you easy access to Alan’s new wordpress blog which will have regular features including “What’s on the Drawing Board?”, “Painting on Location”  and  “Top News Story”.

January saw Alan painting several commissions for clients and a trip to Oman to launch “Sketch Book of Oman”. It’s a facsimile sketch book containing 27 giclee reproductions of sketch book studies painted over the last 3 years on location in Oman together with 13 studio watercolours inspired by the studies.

A portion of the proceeds will go to 40/40, a scholarship scheme for 40 Omani students to undertake undergraduate degrees at British affiliated Universities. 

On Saturday 12th February we will be launching the Sketch Book of Oman at the Studio & Gallery in Ponteland for our UK customers, 10am - 5pm with refreshments.

Hotel Comparison

Following my emergency operation in December Alan & I have been fortunate enough to spend 5 nights at the Crown Plaza in Muscat, Oman. We had a fantastic sea view with a balcony which was a real treat. The food at the hotel was excellent but a little pricey and the hotel it’self although very clean and well situated was also expensive and a little tired looking.

However, I was very grateful for the 5 days respite that I was able to enjoy, whilst my husband Alan was out painting.If you would like to see his work and painting blog click here www.alanreed.com

We are now in the Hilton, Dubai Creek Hotel which boasts stunning views of the creek and the distant burj Kharif. The standard room which we have booked is delightful and for a mere £30 per nigh extra we are able to use the executive room facilities. It’s not difficult to compare the two hotels. Both have lots to offer in terms of views, quality of food, service and cleanliness but I think that the Hilton has than the edge in terms of value for money.

Oman, however is the place to be.

View from Crown Plaza, Muscat

View from Hilton, Dubai Creek

Paintings by Alan Reed

After a restless night’s sleep I finally got up made a cup of tea and decided to do some work. Made a few changes to www.alanreed.com and thought I would share these beautiful paintings with you.

The faboulus painting of the Jewel of Muscat is another version of some recent paintings done of this spectacular Dow and to read about the history and the fascinating journey that being undertaken at this present time is definitely worth reading about, follow on http://www.omansail.com and to see the latest news 

Oman

Here are some of Alan Reed’s watercolour sketchbook studies done on location in Oman. The freshness and fluidity of these beautiful little watercolour paintings / sketches are amazing.

To see an exhibition of Alan’s original watercolour paintings visit the Bait Muzna Gallery in Muscat.

Jewel of Muscat

Cooking Spree

The morning after we got back from Oman and not cooking for what seemed like ages, I just had to have a bit of a spree. 

I went to Waitrose and got a joint of topside for just over £3.00 on special offer. I thought to buy a 100 grm packet of quality cooked meat would give me a fraction of the amount of this small joint.

Then I saw a joint of lamb for a similar price on special offer, so I bought that too. The minced pork and minced beef were not on offer but good value for money, so that too went in the basket with other essentials.

I roasted the topside for sandwiches, made spicy moroccan lamb with dates and a large pan of Antonio Carluccio’s bolognaise ragu, followed by wholemeal date and walnut scones which Louise and I ate as they were warm out of the oven.

As it happened we were supposed to be going out for dinner tonight but it was cancelled at the last minute so we had the roast beef with sweet potato mash and steamed broccoli in a olive oil and white wine vinegar dressing.