Khalid Alaani started drawing early in his
childhood. He still takes reference from the
nature he experienced on summer vacations in
the countryside of Iraq with his family. After a
career as a pharmacist, he returned to painting
full-time in 2008. He left Iraq in 2006 and fled
to Damascus, Syria. He was relocated to the
U.S. in June, 2012. “I still dream of Iraq. Dreaming and
imagining a beautiful life, full of colors, happiness and
spontaneity.”
Khalid is always finding new things, and once found, it is not
new anymore. That makes painting an endless process of
searching, exploring, passion and above all, pleasure. Most
of his work is in acrylic with occasional additions of mixed
media and collage. He feels most easily able to express
himself in acrylic. Khalid’s work focuses on the landscape
and its reflection on human life: small towns, villages, and
sometimes only trees, which give him a sense of stability and
unity with the universe.