Khalid
Alaani

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.