"The Train Station"

 

Title: "The Train Station"

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Size: 10"x12"

The Train Station...

He released the thick smoke from his rusty lungs and it quietly entered the atmosphere.  A thin layer of smoke hovered above his head like a blanket that moved with his body.   He looked around the small train station.

“Anyone there?” he said.

He brushed his mustache and looked down at his watch.  Does this still work?  He pinched the watch between his tar stained forefinger and thumb.  He drew the watch closer to his left eye to inspect the second hand.  It was moving.

His cigarette dangled from his lips as his mind drifted off… to… the life… he had before.

“Hello!..... Helllllllooooo!!!” he said.

The words bounced off the walls.  

He turned his head to explore the room from his seat.  No one.  Just an empty train station.

What’s it been now?  Six months?… huh, maybe 8?  Probably not 8 he thought.

The dry air in the train station amplified his wet and heavy cough.  He reached for his pack of cigarettes as one still dangled from his lips.  Huh, empty. 

“I should give these up.  It’s been 5 hours and I’m down a pack,” he muttered.

He held the empty carton in his hand.   He closed the lid and placed it neatly beside him.  With his long arms extended he grasped the smooth seat.  Years of weary travelers had worn down the oak benches. 

Any day now, he thought.  

He was told that his train would arrive any day now.  He was told several times it would be any day now.  His gut tells him a little more time.  Trains aren’t this late, you use to be able to set your watch to a train.  The times have changed his mind pondered.

What he left behind was comfortable and easy.  This new path would be difficult but rewarding.

He brought the cigarette to his lips and drew another breath.  He raised his arm to scratch his withered neck.  The lamp that dangled from the ceiling illuminated his face.  The cigarette dangled from his lip as the smoke climbed up.

Any day now…

Head to www.koraysalih.com for more stuff.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

Koray Salih Painting Sale!

It's time for my paintings to enter the lives of others so they can do for others what they have done for me. The paintings I've created over the past few years are now available for sale!

An easy decision? No....over the years I've been very close with the images I've painted, the deep emotions in each one... often times when painting, I felt like I was chipping away to reveal the story in each canvas. Why so much feeling? Once upon a time ago I learned from an old teacher that if you don't feel what you create then the onlookers will feel very little themselves. It is as a result of this I learned to invest myself into what I do.

Now, it has come time for these paintings to enter your lives and your space. Below I've listed out each painting available for purchase along with a price. Here are some quick notes about the paintings, and please make sure you read the note at the bottom of this list for final details.

-All mediums and measurements are listed below the painting.
-If you are interested in a painting, please e-mail me at info@koraysalih.com with the painting title in the subject line.

Title: “How I see it”
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 30”x10”

Price: $350 SOLD

Title: “Too Much”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 30”x10” 

Price: $350

Title: “Love is…"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 20”x30” 

Price: $550 SOLD

Title: “Warning signs"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 24”x36”

Price: $700

Title:
Her: “Love me…”
Him: “I wish I knew how to.”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 8”x16”

Price: $200

Title: “ten thousand words”

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 8”x16”

Price: $250 SOLD

Title: “when I grow up!” or "what may...or may never be"

Materials: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 12”x36”

Price: $600

Title: "V for Vendetta...or Valentines..."

Size: 24" x 36"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Price: $600 SOLD

Title: "Speaking with the Soul"

Size: 24" x 36"

Medium: Acrylics 

Price: $700

Title: "Just cause I'm wrong, doesn't make you right!"

Size: 11" x 14"

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Price: $400

Title: "You'll never know dear... how much I love you..." (Expressions Series)

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Size: 3' x 5'

Price: $1250

Title: "fury..." (Expressions Series)

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas 

Size: 36"x12"

Price: $700

Title: “…” (Expressions Series)
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 3' x 2'
Price: $700

Notes regarding the paintings:
-All paintings must be purchased in person, and paid for with a certified cheque
-Prices are non-negotiable
-Image rights belong to Koray Salih

"fury..."

"fury..."
acrylic on canvas
36"x12"

“fury…” this last conscious entry in the emotion series is inspired by Rachmaninov’s Piano Concertos 2 and 4. Very intense…Rich! It takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Leads you down many roads. The three dots after the word fury refer to what will follow the emotional pinnacle. I purposely didn’t call it “anger” as anger is an emotional build up before… the EXPLOSION! Within minutes, hours a person looks back at what they have done and is likely to feel some regret… but fury is a headspace… you are in it for a while… 5 minutes? 2 weeks? 7 years? Because it is the result of a long term build up. Now this is a Taurus perspective on it all. Fury is the result of harm inflicted on you or someone you care about, fury is the result of someone or a group who have committed an act which has wrong you or your own. It a revenge mindset with all the ups and downs that someone experiences… I will admit, this painting was challenging to paint, considering the impact is has on the viewer… To get the feeling I was going after, I had to put myself in the right headspace… as a wonderful piano teacher once said… you must feel what you create… or else, what you have created will mean nothing to the audience. It was not easy slipping into this vengeful mindset, but it was an exercise I needed to go through… sessions had to end with positive upbeat music to bring me out.

Please, when viewing this painting, only view it with the purpose of allowing you to think and understand… but always finish your sessions with positive positive positive!

Love

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"You'll never know dear... how much I love you..."

 

Title: "You'll never know dear... how much I love you..."
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 3' x 5'

“If I could only tell you what I feel as I fill this painting out, it comes to life with each brush stroke. I know what it must have been like for DaVinci to paint the picture of the Mona Lisa ( I do not claim to make any comparisons to his painting, I merely only claim to sense what he must have felt). Today (Feb 8) I spent 20 minutes staring at the painting, wondering who she would be if she were alive, what her soul would say, would she be pure of heart, not even the essence of malice. For this is the beauty of capturing an expression, a face a person... caught in a moment. I am breathless, for I am not sure I have taken breath while I sit here typing this (Truly, I may be impacted by some of the more dramatic symphony music I listen to while I sit here, but it brings me back to my element). A purer moment a purer thought. Far too long have I slumbered in artistic coma, each nerve ending comes alive with each bristle that comes in contact with the acrylic coated canvas. I am not awake, nor asleep, I am awaking.”

Something I had written several weeks ago while completing my new painting. Friends look at me, look at this painting… they look at me… and make assumptions about it, about why I painted it. I can honestly say, it had to be done. This painting is simple… as you have guessed, it is about love… and talks to the purest form of love. A mother’s love for their child… undying.

I would and could write so much about this painting, but as always I will leave it up to you to interpret. The greatest joy will be to hang it on my wall and know it will be there to give off it’s positive energy. You put love into your work, it will return that love.

Stylistically… Stylistically speaking, my goal was never to have the painting in proportion. When I began, my true intention was to continue moving in a more stylized direction, but with each brush stroke, the natural beauty of this character began to shine through. I mean, before we paint, sometimes we must ask the canvas, “show me what you want to be”… and if you listen with your heart, it will tell you.

Impressions… One of my friends say, “what I like about your paintings is that you are honest with your paintings.“ I truly respect that compliment, and I’ll tell you why… because my life long interest is and has always been expression… and when I create something, I want there to be an expression… and I want that expression, that painting to tell the story, without me having to say a word.

I hope you enjoy looking at this painting as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Oh... the name of the painting... comes from that little song you use to sing.... "You are my sunshine... my only sunshine..."

Love

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"Happiness is love, disguised with a smile”

Title: "Happiness is love, disguised with a smile”
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 40" x 30"

I guess when I started this project, the goal was to fill some space on a wall. A friend of mine had commission me for a painting, and his direction was he wanted a painting for his office done in my (Koray’s) style…to quote him loosely. There was not much more direction beyond that. Ahhhh, the pet peeve of many a painter.

Where to start? I knew that when this painting was done, it would hang in an office, an office that is visited daily by people in desperation, in hope and determination…people who have been all the way there and back. You see, this painting is to hang in an Oncologist’s office (in laymen’s terms, a Cancer Doctor). The goal of the painting was clear, to bring joy, hope and renew energy in people’s lives. To not only my friend, who needs to renew his energy for everyone who walks in his door, so he can provide the same good quality care to everyone, but also to all individuals who visit his office.
The Technical
I remember, as always, I was sketching on the subway, letting my mind run free when I first sketched this picture…I knew there was something unique about it. The moment I sketched it, it’s title came to me. I knew that I would have to paint it, it was a must!

The funny thing is, for the second time ever, I don’t want to tell you exactly what the painting truly means because I believe that the title gives away a fair bit about the true subject. When looking at it, just know that love is ever present, we can find it in the simplest of life’s joys, even when all is wrong in this world.

The other day I had a thought of what it would be like for this painting to be hung in a private space, and you know, it saddened me. May this painting always remain in a public space, and may it remind people that joy and love is all around us, we just have to remember to pay attention and notice it all around us. : )

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih
P.S. Might I add, I am really happy about how the face turned out.
P.P.S. To fully appreciate the colors of this painting, you would have to see it in person! 

Artists inspired by Artists! I love you MOM!

Artist: Zerrin Salih
Medium: Oil on Canvas

Can you recall who or what encouraged you to do the thing you love most in life? Can you remember who supported you and acted as your cheerleader as you continued to develop and grow? When it comes to my love of painting, I can tell you exactly who inspired me…. You guessed it, MY MOM! She never ceases to share her encouragement, constantly pushing me to create and grow, especially when I lose confidence in what I do. She believes in me, and it’s amazing.

As long as I can remember, watercolors and oils could be found in our home. Sometimes in use, and sometimes on a shelf, making the space look more colorful. You could always see my moms love for painting, whether it was painting something of her own, or appreciating a work by one of the “great masters.” She brought art into our lives, showed us and taught us how to create, inspiring creativity in all of us. I can even remember my sister and I painting, with watercolors, along side her. Even when bringing up two kids (with my dad) took up a fair share of her time, she always made sure she was working on something, even if it was just a sketch.

Just like my mom believes in me, I believe in her. Her paintings are amazing, and she’s a little shy about sharing them with others. It’s about time people see work by the true talent in our family (don’t worry, I know she will love to see her work up on this site, call it intuition). Below are three oil paintings completed by my mom. I had hoped to post some of her watercolors as well, but since they are behind glass, it was too difficult to capture them in a picture.

Artist: Zerrin Salih
Medium: Oil on Canvas

Artist: Zerrin Salih
Medium: Oil on Canvas

What never ceases to amaze me is how different our styles. She is amazing in how focused, disciplined and detail oriented she is. She makes sure that everything appears lifelike. Me, I like to exaggerate certain elements in a picture. The time she invests in getting every color correct, making sure that each leaf is in place… it’s amazing. Often we chat about the progress of both of our paintings, and I must admit, I am honored to be able to provide creative feedback to someone so talented. In 20 years from now, I hope that I can look around me, and know that I have such a positive impact on those in my life. Mom, I love you, and I thank you for everything you have done for me and my art… even for the paint by numbers you bought me when I was a kid.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Everyone, please take a moment to enjoy.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih 

"Just cause I'm wrong, doesn't make you right!"

Title: "Just cause I'm wrong, doesn't make you right!"
Size: 11" x 14"
Medium: Acrylics

First let me begin by saying “WOW, it feels good when the SPARK ignites the flame!” What is it that sparked this feeling in me? All of you! Different conversations with each of you who positively encourage me to get back to my art, and a little of me kicking my own butt to express myself. For those of you who aren’t aware, I just started a new job in March. Due to the distance I travel each day, my energy levels have plummeted. As a result, I have had to go through an adjusting period, to restructure my day and manage my energy levels. After a period of almost 8 weeks, I am ready to baby step my way back at it. Although I can’t promise to post every week, I can give you my promise to throw myself back into my work. I may be exhausted some days, but I need it, like I need water. You can go without water for a while, but then when you don’t take a drink for a few days, you fade away. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take.

So, about this painting!!! This week’s painting revolves around the subject/action of judgment, or passing judgment on others without questioning our own actions. An interesting behavior, as we are all guilty of it at one point or another. Sometimes we are fully conscious of it, and others we make a statement or take action without having had the chance to calculate the end result. As the words slip from our mouths, or mid-motion, we realize the wrong of our way. It’s too late; it continues to come out, too quick for your brain to stop. Now what? What are the next steps, what is the observer’s reaction?

In this painting we see the traditional symbol for evil/the devil, horns and tail. We know we should hate the subject, for he is the evil and sinful… yet we have a certain level of sympathy for him. Sympathy because his expression says, “I acknowledge what I have done is wrong, I have shame, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to look down on me.” Shame humbles us, it makes us human. Seeing another human in this condition, makes it easier for us to sympathize with them no matter how evil, or what wrong they have committed. It’s an odd thought, but the mind can also be odd.

What about the style? Those who spend time at my home, have come to realize that I love graffiti. Above my bed are snapshots of graffiti from Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. It’s the last thing I see before I go to bed every night. I have the desire to appreciate every wall that has graffiti on it. As time goes on, you will probably see my work slide in this abstract graffiti direction. It’s what I love.

I can talk for hours about this painting, but for now, that’s all folks. Let me know your thoughts… until next time.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"Speaking with the Soul"

Title: "Speaking with the Soul"
Size: "24" x 36"
Medium: Acrylics

“A photograph could never capture the true essence of a painting…” my entire undergrad, and the above picture, could attest to this statement…

This weeks project was a little different, different how? Well, unlike my past paintings, this one was meant to show communication and understanding, on another level.

When I first set out to paint this picture, I thought of Mark Rothko’s paintings in The Rothko Chapel (http://www.rothkochapel.org/). Colored canvases, placed in a room, which help to evoke a feeling/emotion in the visitor. Communication without words. The idea is impactful to me, so I wanted to see if I could instill a feeling in the viewers of my painting.

When the background was complete, I remember sitting back and feeling calmer, a feeling of peace. As if the day0s troubles had washed away. How amazing? Just staring at chaotic shades of purple and white could impact a viewer in such a positive manner.

It was good enough for my soul, it was complete! I was at peace… BUT! For the artistic side of me, the challenge hadn’t even begun. This background merely set the stage for the story yet to be told. In my mind, I had an idea of what this canvas would look like when complete… but as any painter can tell you, painting is an organic process, and sometimes paintings can grow in way we did not anticipate.

My gut said, “show two characters that are connected, who get it, but demonstrate no physical interaction between one another.” This was my challenge to myself! Is it possible? It is, and the face held the key to this mystery. Expressions of the face tell a story. I mean take a look at the Mona Lisa for instance.

Nailing the right expression was so important to me, so I placed a lot of emphasis on it. As time went on, I felt like anything I added to the body of the characters would take away from the story… so arms became unnecessary, this is why the lady has no arms.

So, Who are these two people?

Mother and son? Teacher and student? Or two random individuals, who get it, get one another… Neither having met one another, nor will they ever. As I quoted in a previous posting, “…a picture is worth ten thousand words…” and in this case, not all words are spoken.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"V for Vendetta... or Valentines..."

Title: "V for Vendetta...or Valentines..."
Size: 24" x 36"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Well, the title is based on the subject line from an e-mail to friends. The purpose of the e-mail? To organize a group outing on Valentines Day. As we all know, when you are young and single, Valentines is the last day you want to spend at home, by yourself…or even be alone for a moment. This is possibly why so many single people dislike Valentines day. So, the goal is to have a bunch of friends, married, dating and single to go out for dinner. I mean Valentines isn’t just about celebrating love for a lover, but it’s also a day to celebrate love for others, and sharing it with those who you love.

So, you’re asking, how does this relate back to my painting? Well, this painting started with a color that I fell in love with, turquoise. I found it during one of my shopping excursion over at Gwatzman’s Art Supplies, a little art shop on Spadina, run by a jaded old artist (it’s fantastic!). I saw the color on a shelf, and figured, I’m going to incorporate this into one of my paintings somehow. It evokes an emotion in me, an emotion I can’t explain…is it excitement? Is it happiness? Is it being content? Whatever it is, it’s bottled emotion (pardon the pun).

So, last week I was about to start a new painting that I had in mind, and figured this would be the perfect opportunity to incorporate turquoise into the background. I started applying thick layer after thick layer…mixing in white to lighten it, and then going back to the concentrated dark color, to build intensity…however, as I developed the background, I developed an urge to make the background an important element of the painting. I had to let the painting sit so I could figure it out. I was a little stumped…after a couple of days, and an encouraging conversation with my mom (who is also a painter) about letting go and doing what I wanted to do. I went for it, I figured this would be my first abstract painting I would produce.

From there on in, passion drove the rest of the painting. As I painted, the subject “V for Vendetta…or Valentines….” lingered in my mind. I want to communicate this statement on a canvas, but how do I do it? Easily…with the most passionate color of all, RED! The color of love and the color of vendetta. And within a couple of swipes…there was the V.

I have to admit…striking that V on the canvas filled me with emotion. Before the first strike, my heart began to pound…after the second strike, it got stronger. Never having experienced it before, I let the feeling linger…

The layers of the paint will forever encase the feeling I had at that moment.

I can say a ton about the similarity and ties between love, passion, vendetta and Valentines. But I will leave that up to some poor university student to argue in their 10 page paper.

Oh, and Valentines dinner with my friends, it’s still on, and it’s going to be fun!

I Love You.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"when I grow up..." or "what may...or may never be"

Title “when I grow up!” or "what may...or may never be"
Materials: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 12”x36”
Date: January 17, 08

It’s been a little over a week since my last posting, and there’s a good reason for that, I’ve been pushing through the last couple of days so I could complete this new painting for you! It’s funny, it looks rather simple, but the challenge is in lighting and working with limited colors (blue, brown and white). I can imagine some of you might find it simple to work with fewer colors, but when you start going with it, you realize that this is an exercise in shading.

So what’s this painting about? Now the title is "when I grow up..." or "what may...or may never be"…Why? We’ve all seen a movie or two about what toys do when we’re not looking, or not at home. Similar to that, this picture tells the story of what this stuffed bunny dreams of. For a logical thinker, sure a stuffed toy is not real. But what if they could think? What would they dream about? Much like a child who often dreams of a grown up independent life, here the bunny dreams of the same.

Of course a stuffed bunny doesn’t grow, nor will it ever, so the second title "what may...or may never be" speaks to the impossible dream. But, the bunny doesn’t need to know that…sometimes, some things are better left unsaid…"sweet dreams!"

Enjoy! 

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih

"ten thousand words"

So Saturday afternoon I had the biggest urge to sit down with my acrylics and just get messy. I tell you, there is no greater satisfaction than getting paint all over your clothes and your hands…and of course on the canvas. I like to think of it as earning your badge of honor.

When I sat down on Saturday, I was going to start a little project. I wanted to paint one of my sketches, but I didn’t think I would get that far. In one hand was my sketch, the other hand, a paintbrush…and as time went on, the painting began to evolve into something a little different than what I had planned.

Instead of painting an old man, I ended up with a young man…and a story. I couldn’t help it, I kept painting, and out it came.

Title: Her: “Love me…”
Him: “I wish I knew how to.”
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8”x16”
Date: January 5, 08


By 6PM I had finished my first painting, and I was stoked to hit up the second one. A painting I like to call “ten thousand words”...based on the old quote “a picture is worth ten thousand words”

Title: “ten thousand words”
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8”x16”
Date: January 5, 08


Why “ten thousand words”????…because, every element in this painting impacts the meaning of every other element. Therefore, the painting could have an endless amount of stories….

How did this come about? It began when I simply painted the top of the canvas red. No biggie, I did it to add some color to the layout.

However, as the painting dried…it started to look a little gruesome, like blood. It dawned on me then, this simple background would now impact the outcome of the entire painting. I’ll be honest, it stumped me, I mean what would I add next?…What would do justice to this background? I sat there, staring at the canvas for a while longer before I realized what needed to happen. So piece by piece, ideas came to mind, and everything fell into place. So, “what does the rabbit mean?”…oh, “and the shaped puddle?”

Instead of filling up this page with explanations and meanings, I will leave it up to you to figure it out....after all, that's why it's titled “ten thousand words.” The story is in the eyes of the beholder. Yes, I did find it a little disturbing putting it all together (and I am sure my mom won’t be pleased about it…and no mom, I won’t take it down.)…but, I had to complete it, to see where it was going.

I hope you enjoy!

Oh, the reward to myself for being so diligent Saturday night? It was to go the ROM on Sunday. I figured I would get there a little after it opened...yup...45 min line to get in....the picture says it all, a lineup outside and inside....lame. Needless to say, Sunday was spent in a coffee shop. My home away from home.

Koray (Core-EYE) Salih