Born in Beirut, Lebanon, the artist finds his inspiration in the Life around him. Since High School he had developed an interest in drawing and painting. In college, he started a career as an engineer and in the working world became an executive. The opportunity to learn, teach, lead and inspire was the main objective.

In January 2001, he elected to take some time off to become an artist. If you ask the artist what is an inspiration, here is how he would answer:

" I had visited Lake Havasu on a Saturday, I had not seen it before and I had heard about the London Bridge and the English town in the middle of the desert in Havasu, Arizona. I was sitting by the shore, looking at the bridge, I saw families, boats, dogs, and it was a warm day. I went to a nearby store to get some water and a snack. They were selling art supplies, I picked up a 16x20 canvas some acrylic paint and two brushes.

I went back to my spot, on a bench, under a tree and I started painting a picture of the London Bridge. About an hour later, here comes a young woman in her early twenties with her friend and asks me if she could sit by me and watch. I said:"Sure". She then asked me to explain my inspiration with the painting. I did and we talked. She told me about how much she likes to paint, I had her try some and I saw that she was inspired. She asked if she could give the painting to her Mom for Mother's day. I accepted.

As I was finishing the painting, her eyes were like a little girl's eyes looking at something she likes. I knew, she liked to paint. When I finished the painting, she called her mom and gave her the painting as a gift. The whole family was happy... I was happy... I then gave the remaining paint and the brushes to my new friend so she could start on her dream.

I left the shore that day knowing that three hearts had touched, The mother's, the daughter's and mine. The experience made my day... That was inspiration"

Artist Nabil Badr ngbadr@pacbell.net

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Nabil is September 2002 Artist of the Month at the Santa Clarita Artists' Association

Everyone around me can see how much of a difference art can make in someone’s life.

To my fortune, earlier on in my life, I had the opportunity to learn about the technique of art. Most of the classes that I took taught the practical and the scientific side of art as applied to drafting and engineering.  I have watched my Uncle Charles paint and contemplated the art of colour, I have watched my sister draw and write and learned about the importance of composition. 

My interest in art increased and one day 3 years ago, I picked up a brush and started painting. I was taken over by an amazing passion for the brush and the colours.  For 2 years now, I am an apprentice to a French impressionist artist and enjoy it immensely.  

About 400 art pieces later, I look back and I see the life of a little boy, who grew up in a very loving family, graduated with an engineering degree, immigrated to the United States 15 years ago and savored the richness of a multicultural life.

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___________________________________________________________ Life is truly an art form.

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