Eslam Abd El Salam

Art Journal: September 2026

03/09/26

Late Night Art Belfast.

In the studio and working on commissions - good progress on both.

10/09/26

Dublin bound in prep for Get Together 2026!

11/09/26

TUD Grangegorman - a great day all round.

12/09/26

Got to car and a wallet fell from underneath the wing mirror - good deed done.

17/09/26

…hanging together…

20/09/26

Full day in the studio. Steps in the right direction but what is it …. that’s proving difficult? Flatness of the image? Lack of shadows that help define structure and form? Proportions… angle? It honestly couold be a combination of some of all of the above. Will get there though,

…a joy to work on and is actually fun exploring the canvas and how the image can be pushed / developed further. Complete opposite.

The trick will be having all look effortless despite a cavernous gap in experiences thus far. Does the black/charcoal background come away? Making way for a colour that ties both subjects - say a cooler, muted olive green?

22/09/26

‘Navigating the Kaleidoscope’ exhibitiion by Dan Shipsides in Ulster Presents. Nice variety of works - video, sculpture, early painting and beautifully tactile charcoal drawings (with a wee bit of taxidermy thrown in for good measure).

23/09/26

Clamp - last thing needed.

24/09/26

Funky clouds

25/09/26

Number 1

26/09/26

Sketchbook work - great to dedicate a solid day to drawing, working out ideas, playing with line and getting lost in the process. It’s funny how you’re shorthand can change without being noticed straight away.

27/09/26

We cannot go back.

RDH: JUNE 2024

02/06/24

Studio - focus on one image…

Well, some days just don’t go the way you want them to. Bit of a damp squid in the studio. Superficial work on ‘mugshot’ (working title). Vented frustration out on cleaning the yard.

05/06/24

Organising archive.

06/06/24

Late Night Art - Belfast. Traditional Route.

09/06/24

‘The Week in Art’ podcast discussing Studio Voltaire and Martha Jungwirth’s take on Goya. “Turning off the facuet of emotion.” (on O’Keefe).

The Sleep of reason.

‘Talk Art’ with Nathanaëlle Herbelin.

“Hindsight” - So bloody close! Frustrating. Too thick in hair and isn’t dynamic as rest of picture. Deep breath. Could be worse and be no where near close to finishing - silver charcoal filled linings.

Still haven’t heard anything from S.P. show.

12/06/24

…found wanting. Rinse head - take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

F.W.A.

13/06/24

Being really fucking ballsy!

14/06/24

Didn’t get solo chance. Ah well. Up to Belfast for opening of ArtsFest III.

Great turnout!

16/06/24

Cleaning works in the lower garage. Some damaged beyond repair.

“Hindsight Study” finished. Some substantial progress to “Four Years On”.

19/06/24


23/06/24

Great day.

25 + 26/24

Family sick days so just a total wipeout.

Visual / Ocular Migraine.

30/06/24

Started the day off bright and early with some sketching from photos taken throughout the week.

“Four Years On” finished.

Larger portrait started. Good way to end the month.