Painter Esra Sönmez paints using a coloring technique she developed in her studio at the Culture and Art Bazaar, established in coordination with the Governor's Office and AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency) following the earthquakes.
A graduate of the Painting Department at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University's Faculty of Fine Arts, Sönmez closed her one-year-old studio in the central Antakya district following the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023.
After taking a break from her art work for a while, the 35-year-old Sönmez decided to return to the canvas to bring Antakya to life in her works.
Following the earthquakes, Sönmez applied for a studio at the Culture and Art Bazaar, established in the Çekmece neighborhood on December 20, 2024, under the coordination of the Hatay Governor's Office and AFAD.
After her application was approved, Sönmez now has a new studio and continues to paint using a coloring technique she developed herself, which she calls "stain."
"I COULDN'T DRAW FOR A LONG TIME"
Esra Sönmez said she lost relatives and friends in the earthquakes.
Explaining that she was away from work due to the disaster, Sönmez said, "I couldn't paint when people were struggling, losing loved ones and their homes. Even though it wasn't damaged, I closed my studio and couldn't paint for a long time during this period."
Sönmez stated that the bazaar, opened to support earthquake-stricken artists, enabled her to return to her art.
Sönmez explained that she began using tea and coffee to color her drawings during her student years and that she developed her skills further after her work was appreciated.
"I'M EXCITED BY THE RESULTS THAT WILL RESULT FROM THE STAINS"
Sönmez explained that she mixed brewed tea and brewed coffee, poured it onto her canvas, and after it dried, she drew on it.
Sönmez emphasized that he doesn't have much opportunity to correct mistakes in his work, saying:
"I mostly use textures, stains, and lines in my work. I think my work reflects me. I've worked with acrylics and oils before, but I couldn't find myself in any of them. The results of those stains excite me. I can also intervene in my work with paint, so it's enjoyable."
Sönmez also noted that he paints paintings depicting Antakya's historical sites, noting that his works are valued between 5,000 and 50,000 lira.
Source: https://istanbulticaretgazetesi.com/hatayli-ressam-cizimlerini-kahve-ve-cay-dokerek-renklendiriyor