The Artist In The Window

I was walking in our neighborhood the other afternoon, running a few errands and taking in the sights and sounds of the universe as I sometimes do. There, that is when I saw someone sitting in the window, leaning over and doing something, I looked closer, and was amazed at what I saw. And of course I went in and said hello. A young man sitting in the window of a flower shop in Khalidiyah in Abu Dhabi with his pen in hand and working on the most detailed piece of art I have ever seen. It was amazing, the horse spoke to me, it actually did. The soft eyes, the gentle nose, the whispers I could hear.

The very amazing thing was that the details were just unbelievable, as if a series of dots, and lines and hand motions that make a mark… and then all of it together make an incredible art piece.  I started speaking to the young man whose name I find is Elmer Ducay, he said he works in the flower shop and on his spare time picks up a pen and his paper and makes art. He gently told me there are others, as he started to flip the pages of his notebook. I stood amazed with my jaw on the floor. In awe of such beauty and also in awe of such dignity and humility of the artist.

Here are a few of Elmer’s Pen and Ink drawings, look closely, these are dots, and tiny lines that make up the nest for the chicks to grow in.

Elmer was kind enough to gift me this beautiful creature that now graces our home.

 

 

 

The  beautiful gentle eyed horse

was gifted to me by the artist

and sits alongside me where I sit each day

Yes, even our cat Saffron is drawn to the beauty of this creature

 

 

 

The beauty of Flight and also the Beauty of Nature

I asked him where he shows his art, he said, he does not really, he just does his art on the side when he gets a break from his work. He said he does not show it anywhere. Elmer then told me he paints as well and asked if I would like to see a few of his pieces. I was delighted at this offer. He then disappeared to an upstairs space and came back with one, then another , then another magnificent piece. The incredible thing for me was the variety. I mean of subjects, but also of styles and strokes.

These lilies speak to me on so many levels so many voices.

Elmer told me he had never taken any art classes, and has always done it because he enjoys it, that evidently shines through his soul filled colors and textures and also each stroke of pen and ink.

A few more of his Paintings with the theme of the region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The warmth of the desert air fills one’s hearts when the date is picked on time and the artist finds flight

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elmer’s wild horses. The sheer size of this piece and its colors, textures and elegance made me sit down for a while to take in with all my senses.

I must note that Elmer has all these paintings tucked away, since he does not have a place to display them. He showed me where he paints in the attic of the flower shop during his lunch breaks. Truly an artist at heart whose soul is fed by his work and whose art can feed the soul of others.

Here are a few other examples of Elmer’s work. Of course, no surprise bouquet’s of flowers:

The Harvest:

Other Shades of Lilies, like many shades of Life

I know that one day there will be hundreds of people in line waiting to get a glimpse of this not yet known artist in the window, the window of his gallery, the window of his soul.

For now I have found a new friend around the corner, any time my soul needs some food of color, texture and aromas seen in the eyes of the artist in the window I pass by to say hello.

Our home has been graced with one of Elmer’s Painting’s as well.

How fortunate I am for the gift of friendship and of the gift of art of the friend ELMER DUCAY.

f you would like to learn more about the artist and his work, you may contact him at:

Elmer Ducay Email: elmerducay977@yahoo.com

Phone number: +971509043611

If you are walking around in Khalidiyah, look in the window shops, yes into a flower window shop and you might find Elmer working on his next creation.