In the fall of 2003 I was inspired to start a series of illustrations representing ethnic dress from across the world, but made unique by a mixed media treatment: embroidery, beads, feathers, metalwork, fabric, etc, are integrated into the paintings to show the richness and ingenuity of these cultures in their costumes. The caches framing the works are an integral part of them and based on designs found within each respective culture.

I am happy to say that the Graces have aroused much interest and have been featured in the magazines Noun, Femme Magazine, Kul al 'Usra (U.A.E.), Idées de Cadre (France) and Aïshti Magazine, the newspapers l'Orient-le-Jour, al Balad and Aztag, as well as on the LBC show Tea Time.

Graces not marked with a red dot are available, though their size and framing make them complicated to ship. Alternatively, prints are available for some of them (more information here) and smaller, unframed pieces can be found on my Etsy shop.

Salon-de-Provence, France December 2004 37. Peul Portrait 07/04 42. Tripoli, 16th c. 08/04 Detail 45. Marguerite de Provence 08/04 Detail 1 | Detail 2 48. Dame à la Licorne 08/04 Detail 51. Lebanese lady 16th c. 09/04 Detail 55. Phoenician lady 08/04 Detail 56. Dancer in Saffron, Lebanon 09/04 Detail 57. Dancer in Blue, Lebanon • 09/04 Detail 61. Mohawk Warrior 10/04 Detail 52. Armenian of Karin, Erzroum 09/04 Detail Jounieh City Council November 2004 34. Feather Dancer 07/04 Detail 36. Zebra Centaur 07/04 Detail 38. Mulan • 07/04 Detail 49. Khmer Dancer, Cambodia 08/04 Detail 60. Fantasy in Purple • 07/04 Detail JABAL, Musée Paul Guiragossian November 2004 32. Armenian bride, Yevtokia • 06/04 Detail 33. Armenian, Shadakh 07/04 Detail 47. Druz with Briq, Lebanon • 08/04 Detail 50. Hathor, Egypt • 09/04 Detail 54. Beirut Lady, 19th c. 09/04 Detail 58. Druze Dancer, Lebanon • 10/04 Detail 59. Fancy Dancer 10/04 Detail 62. Armenian from Alexantrapol 10/04 Detail Off-exhibit commissions 0. Druze Princess • 10/03 2. Miao Bride • 11/03 Detail 1 | Detail 2 31. Japanese in Red • 06/04 35. Nymph with Dragon • 07/04 Detail 39. Veil Dancer • 07/04 Detail 40. Mandoline Player, Lebanon • 08/04 Detail 41. Kids with Turtle, 19th c. Lebanon • 08/04 Detail 43. Riding Lady, 19th c. Lebanon • 08/04 Detail 44. Lady at the Window, Lebanon • 08/04 Detail 46. Persian Guard • 08/04 Detail ADG, Beirut June 2004 21. Kabuki Mask, Japan • 02/04 22. Aymara, Bolivia • 02/04 Detail 23. Caduveo, Brazil 02/04 Detail 24. "Pink", Ivory Coast • 03/04 Detail 25. Canada Indian • 03/04 Detail 26. Zuni Rain Dancer 04/04 Detail 27. Miao of the Guizhou, China 05/04 Detail 28. White Heron Dancer, Japan 05/04 Detail 29. Lebanese Noblewoman • 05/04 Detail 30. Maiko, Japan • 05/04 Detail Private exhibit, Tokyo April 2004 1. Tamul Bride • 11/03 Detail 3. Peul Bororo • 12/03 Detail 4. Lady of the Heian Court, Japan • 12/03 Detail 5. Children in Karayoubin Costume, Japan • 12/03 Detail 6. Zulu • 12/03 Detail 7. Bedu of Lake Huleh (Palestine) 12/03 8. Bedu of Ta'amreh (Palestine) 12/03 Detail 9. Ndebele 01/04 Detail 1 | Detail 2 10. Samet • 01/04 11. Masai • 01/04 Detail 12. Levantine Dancer 1820's • 01/04 Detail 13. Levantine 1840's • 01/04 14. Bedu, Nazareth 01/04 15. Shintö Priest • 01/04 16. Fellaha in Festive Garb • 01/04 Detail 17. Ainu, North Japan • 01/04 18. Himba, Namibia • 01/04 Detail 19. Minangkabau Brise, Sumatra • 01/04 Detail 20. Ivory Coast 02/04

All works © Joumana Medlej – not to be borrowed or used without my expressed, written permission