Jöelle Kurdy My fabulous Friday

The Abu Dhabi-based make-up artist switches from cosmetics to paints as she showcases her work at Art Week. But when she doesn’t have a canvas in front of her, she’s being creative in the kitchen

MAKE-UP VS PAINTING

I’ve not given up make-up for painting. I have embraced both forms of art and they’re quite similar – both are creative processes where I work on blending and creating colours, shadows and new perspectives. The only difference is that with make-up, I’m interacting with another person to create art, while with painting, it’s an interaction with myself.

TAKE ME TO THAILAND

The last thing I splurged on was a retreat at Thailand’s Chiva-Som Resort, in January this year. I went there to feed my soul, my body and my mind and to pamper myself, so I could channel this energy into my creativity.

MY PRECIOUS…

I value time and cherish love. Time is precious and I can’t waste it on stupidity or laziness. Love is the blessing that keeps me going. Then there’s my granddaughter, Milasky; we share an unconditional bond.

SPIRIT OF THE UNION

I’m originally from Beirut but have lived in Abu Dhabi for 40 years now. The progress and change the UAE has undergone is unparalleled. While in the old days, the UAE was raw and pure, it has now evolved into a contemporary, dynamic nation that is a force to reckon with.

LIFE LESSONS FROM ME TO MYSELF

The advice that I would give my younger self is: ‘Love yourself, be true to yourself, pamper yourself and learn from your experiences. So when the time comes to decide, you will make the right decisions.’