Artwork of Emirati children.

International teaching experience.

Painting with the Emirati Children and Art Educator Sofia Matrosova. July 16-21, 2011, Al Afaaq Girls School, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Listen to the words of the Children:

The first set of paintings are mostly Arabian animals inspired by the images from books on Arabian flora and fauna. The children who painted the pictures are between six and twelve years old. We worked in groups of three except for a girl named Asma and myself (Nadia). There is a variety of paintings such as sea creatures, a camel, a wolf, a house, a butterfly, and some others.

The second set of paintings are Arabic letters with different ornaments. Including a Mayan-style Alif, a rainbow and flower Alif done by Asma and myself, a swan-style Yaa’, and some others. We tried to do some Islamic ornaments. Some girls did hearts and flowers while others did some other decorations. One of the most complex paintings was the Mayan style Alif which our teacher Mrs. Sofia (my mother) said is ingenious. 

Nadia Mohamad Khalil, 11 years old.   

Acrylic on canvases, various sizes.

Two camels in the desert.

Alif. Arabic letter.

Baa. Arabic letter.

Fish of the Arabian sea.

Alif 2. Arabic letter.

Butterfly.

Marriam, 5 years old.

Octopus and his friends.

Yaa’. Arabic letter.

“I wish that everyone have a home.”

Asma, 8 years old.