Innovative art

Marbles, carved wood used to decorate paintings

There are many artists who can paint with oil, ceramic, acrylic or watercolours. However, it is not often that you come across an artist who specialises in painting with the use of chipped marble and in carved woodwork painting.

Kiran Prashant Lakhiani has a different kind of art to her credit. Not only does she teach the conventional painting techniques, but she also proudly claims to be the only one teaching wood-carved paintings, as well as a combination of ceramic painting with chipped marble.

"This is a fun way to paint something as the effect is very dramatic and the results can be seen quite fast," says Lakhiani.

In marble chip painting, it is the background that is made from crushed marbles. These are available in various colours and can be applied on wood or canvas. The image is drawn with clay or thread. Once dried the drawing is painted with poster or fabric colours.

The woodwork paintings are done on carved pieces of wood. Wooden flowers, abstract motifs or figures carved by a master cutter in India are painted with ceramic paints giving the piece a three-dimensional effect. "The carved wood comes in various sizes and students can choose the size they are comfortable painting," she explains.

Lakhiani graduated in commercial art from India. After moving to Dubai she decided to use her talent to teach the young as well as the old. "Many parents were quite pleased with the work brought home by their kids and have enrolled in my classes," says Lakhiani. The artist, who has held two successful exhibitions of her work in Dubai, also teaches arts and crafts at the Dubai International Arts Centre.

The materials she uses are available locally, except for some special colours that she buys from India. "I like to use paints that dry fast, since it is easier when working with small children," maintains Lakhiani. Her ideas come from nature, postcards, clothes and her family. "I am grateful to my mother and my husband for all their support," adds Lakhiani.