The art of Louma Rabah

Colors and dreams

Ghida Ladkani

Entering Louma’s studio in Ashrafieh sets you on a journey of discovering an artist looking for splendour in all aspects of the world surrounding her. An old pastel coloured house in between monstrous modern constructions, Louma’s studio is stunningly in a world of its own. The artist let us inside her studio stacked with paintings from years of her toil, and gave us an inside look into her world.

Where do you think your passion for the arts came from?

We grew up in an environment of nature and painting, my mum was an artist, so all around me was creation of beauty and art. My paintings, especially landscapes, were affected by that. My dad also works in flowers and gardening, so since I was very young I’ve been drawing, and I’ve been encouraged by my parents who always said that I would be a painter. My presents every year wouldn’t be toys like other kids, they were colouring kits.

The image depicts an abstract landscape using bold colors and geometric shapes. There are vibrant sections of yellow, blue, orange, and red, creating a sense of movement and energy. The composition suggests a village or town nestled within rolling hills, with clusters of white and colored squares representing buildings. The background features large patches of color, likely representing the sky and fields, contributing to the overall lively and dynamic feel of the artwork.

And when did you decide to do it professionally?

In 2011, I did my first exhibition, by chance actually. A gallerist saw my work and told me that I have talent, and asked me to work with her on an exhibition. I had a lot of paintings back then, but never thought I would show them. So that’s when I did my first exhibition, which went really well, and I’ve had nine or ten exhibitions since then.

In your work, you’re known for bright colours and blurred lines, they kind of look like a daydream. Can you tell us more about your style?

Usually, everybody who paints or is an artist, or everybody in general, sees the world differently. For me, I always see shapes and colours wherever I look. When I’m at a place and I feel inspired, I have to draw it, and to me I’m drawing it as is, it’s how I see it.

The image features a vibrant, impressionistic landscape. In the foreground, there are textured trees with lush greenery and a hint of sunlight illuminating their leaves. A small, rustic building with a door is set against a colorful background of rolling hills, which are painted in shades of pink and beige. The sky is a deep blue, adding contrast to the warm tones of the earth. The overall effect is lively and decorative, with bold brush strokes and a whimsical feel.

A large part of your paintings are landscapes and cityscapes, why do you think you’ve been attracted to this?

The Lebanese heritage is extremely rich, and the houses were very architecturally inspiring, and the landscape is striking. But it’s constantly being ruined, houses are demolished and mountains are being destroyed. So, in my paintings, I try to store and reserve them. I could draw a house that in a couple of years will no longer exist.

Do you think your attachment to your home country affects the way you see it in your work?

You always add something to your work, when you’re taking a photo, for example, you’re showing things as they are. But when you paint, you have a chance to enhance things. Some places I paint may not be so vibrant or bright, but me painting it gives me the chance to shed whatever light I want on it. In photography, you can barely play with some aspects of a photo, but on my canvas, I can do whatever I want. If I can make something more picturesque than it is, then why wouldn’t I?

Who do you think has been your biggest influence?

I’m very inspired by my mother, and I’ve inherited this as well, I think. My grandmother was also a painter; she wasn’t an artist but she was very talented. My family has a great amount of artists, so I think heredity played a role in this. I’m also surrounded by lovely natural sights, and visits to museums and inspiration all around.

And what about other artists who inspired you?

I love Paul Klee, I love Pierre Bonnard, Kandinsky, every artist stirs something new in me, but each has their own thing. I don’t know how affected I am by them, but I’m sure they affect me. Every place you go to leaves a mark on you, every museum, every culture, it all shows.

The image features an abstract depiction of a hill or cliff with various buildings clustered on top. The buildings are painted in shades of blue, gray, and black, creating a contrast against a vibrant orange background that suggests either a sunset or sunrise. The shapes of the buildings vary, with some having roofs in red and others in muted colors, contributing to a whimsical and artistic feel. The overall composition conveys a sense of depth and structure, while the warm background adds an inviting warmth to the scene.

In the exhibitions you’ve had in Dubai, Oman, Beirut, Paris, Venice, and more, how has the reaction been to your work?

In Paris, the Lebanese audience liked the images of their country, but the others were able to see a new idea of our country. They saw cedars and evergreens, and the architecture of old houses. Lebanon has a lot in it, if we would stop ruining it. It’s nice to give a good image of our country, they usually see images of war, and art that shows our problems. But sometimes, it’s important to see art that comforts you, art that’s bright and colourful. It could encourage us to improve on the positive aspects of our country, to plant more and build more. Even in Italy, they took a very good impression of our country. Some people imagine Lebanon as a desert, and then they see these images of greenery and beauty. It gives you a chance to talk about Lebanon, about our weather and culture.

The image appears to be an abstract painting featuring a figure with a pale face, possibly in a thoughtful or introspective pose. The surrounding colors include various shades of green, blue, pink, and brown, creating a textured, layered effect. The shapes are somewhat distorted, emphasizing emotion over realism, and there seems to be a sense of connection or intimacy conveyed between the figure and another form, possibly an animal or another person. The brushwork is expressive, contributing to the overall mood of the artwork.

On another note, you’re also an entrepreneur, you have your own lipstick line, Lumalu, based in the US. Can you tell us more about it?

It’s not really detached from my art, I studied art and packaging, and I have a love for colours, and I love lipstick. And nowadays, you need everything to be healthy and biodegradable, because in the end you’re eating your lipstick. So I worked on making a lipstick that’s edible and hydrating, and attractive. I also worked on the packaging, and painted them myself, and even the package is biodegradable, so it’s earth-friendly and pretty and artistic. I manufactured it in Dallas, and we’re currently distributing in Lebanon, and it’s available on Amazon.

What are you currently working on?

The image shows a woman painting on a large canvas or surface on the floor. She is wearing a casual outfit and appears to be focused on her work, using a paintbrush to apply blue and green tones to the painting. The background features abstract designs or colors that suggest a vibrant and creative environment. The floor has a light-colored tile pattern, and the overall scene conveys an artistic atmosphere.

I’m now working on an exhibit, I haven’t decided where it will be yet, but it will be from the mountain to Beirut. So crossing the mountains coming to Beirut, it’ll be a mix of my landscapes and cityscapes, and it’s abstract and it will be done with oil. I’m enjoying the feeling of oil and the colours and their vibrancy. The pleasure of being an artist is being able to sit in a field and paint, taking your tools and being inspired.