Artworks by DEDE HOURANI

Ms. Dede Hourani, whose artwork I recently viewed, displayed an interesting and refreshing quality in hen presentation. Her paintings were most impressive and I am confident that would be well received by the Houston art community. My enthusiasm for Ms. Hourani's paintings was shared by others, who have expressed their interest in helping to introduce her work in the Houston market. I am looking forward to seeing her again in Houston.

Dede Hourani is an up and coming artist who I recently met in Houston. Upon viewing a body of her watercolors and oils, it was obvious that she had been working for an extended period, creating a group of paintings of consistently mature quality. Her use of color, its juxtapositions on the picture plane, challenges the viewer's senses to the richness possible using pure color combined with subtle nuances of gray. With continued work, Dede should go a long way, pleasing many viewers with her intriguing images.

Dear Mr. Hourani: This is in reference to Miss Dede Hourani and her abilities as an artist. As you probably know my wife and I own two of Miss Hourani's paintings that are proudly displayed in my home. The innovative styles and use of color plainly show Miss Hourani's professionalism. A free-spirit seems to inspire her work that makes one feel that these paintings are alive with enthusiasm. The boldness shown in these paintings in no way interferes with her femininity. The choice of colors and subject matter frequently display that this painting was done by a woman. I hope in the future other people have as much pleasure as we have in owning ghe or more of Miss Hourani's paintings.

Dear Monzer: I have just finished reading the most moving article about your sister Dede. What a beautiful and talented sister you have! I know you must be very proud of her. I plan to go by Houston Center and see the exhibit of her 54 paintings. Also, I would like to meet her and take her to lunch or dinner if her schedule permits. She is quite a celebrity and like her well-known brother Monzer is making a great contribution to the betterment of our world. I will look forward to hearing from you.

Dear Dean: Received the snapshots from DeDe's exhibition, and they brought back fond memories of friends and renewed acquaintances that lovely evening. Dede's work has never looked better. I hope she was pleased with the exhibition and that this time she will stay a bit longer in the Houston community. I also wish to thank you for your part in bringing the ARCO Rothko exhibition to Houston. I have been back many times to view the work, each viewing lends new insight into the paintings as well as clarifying ideas about my own work. Please know how much I appreciate the many nice things that you and ARCO have done for me, the Museum, the School, and the Houston community.

Dear Dede, Congratulations on a very successful exhibition of your work. I want to again express to you my feelings of sincere appreciation for your paintings. It was of particular interest to me to compare and reflect on your art of two years ago and see an amazing development of your work into a mature style. Your colors are brilliant and I detect a Matisse quality in the oil painting that I liked very much. The watercolors too are very unique and complex. wish you much luck on your future endeavors. Trudy and I enjoyed your company and we hope to be able to continue our friendship. We still look forward to the day we may all enjoy an afternoon sail on our boat with you and Monzer.

Dear Dede, Thank you for bringing your art exhibit to our city. Your beautiful work has certainly enhanced our city and our culture. I have heard many compliments from both the art community and from people who visited your exhibit on your beautiful expressions in art. My wife and I look forward to the return of your exhibit.

As an avid art collector, I first became acquainted with the work of Miss Dede Hourani through mutual friends in both the U.S. and Europe. As I am especially fond of nature, I find a true feeling of serenity in her pastoral scenes with her subtlety of colors. Miss Hourani's paintings can blend equally well in the corporate world or private home, and she deserves much success as a world-renowned artist.

As a General Contractor working closely with real estate developers, I am often looking for paintings that will complement the lobbies of the buildings we build. Quite frequently, this piece of artwork will set the tone for the building because it will generally encompass a very large section of wall space in the lobby. It is usually the first thing visitors to the building will see when they enter the lobby. It is important, therefore, to have a bold painting, one that "stands out". One of the artists I frequently like to use, because of her flexibility is Dede Hourani. I can give Dede the idea that I have and, she makes the idea visual on canvas, without being abstract. Her choices of color are always correct. We are very pleased with the work of Dede Hourani and my corporation will continue to use her work in our office buildings.

Dear Dede: Thank you very much for inviting Tammie and me to your recent exhibit. We truly enjoyed reviewing your art and hope to acquire some of it in the not-too-distant future. Lots of good luck with your various endeavors and we hope to see you in the not-too-distant future. Please keep in touch with us. Again, many thanks.

Dear DeDe: I can't tell you how much your telephone call meant to me. You and your brothers are so kind. As you know, I consider Monzer my brother here in this country. He has been such a good friend. Your artwork is so lovely. Please send me pictures. I am so proud of you. Please keep me up-to-date on what you are doing and what your goals and aspirations are. I believe you are one of the most talented people on earth. Keep painting. You have done a great job. I would love to hear from you.

I would like to recommend Miss DeDe Hourani as a very talented and innovative artist. After first seeing her work in Houston in the late 1980's, I purchased two of her paintings which were done during the war in Lebanon. With my Lebanese heritage, I was deeply moved by the strong feelings that these paintings evoke. They are truly reflective of the effect war has on the people living through it each day. I have continued to follow Miss Hourani's career, and I feel that her work has evolved to encompass varied styles of art. She has much to contribute to the international world of art.

Dear Dede: Your recent letter means so much to me. I'm so pleased you like the music Monzer sent to you. I have so appreciated you through the years. Your artwork is beautiful. I particularly love your abstract and impressionist work. I never get to see enough of it. You are very talented. Keep it up. Your brother, Monzer, is my brother, too. I love him and have appreciated him so much through the years. He is really a very fine man. He has a great deal of love and yet has the right balance of toughness to be the successful businessman he is. Please know that you will always have a friend here.

Dear Dédé: I purchased (for my personal use) a beautiful mountain landscape oil painting from your gallery years ago when I was in Europe. To this day, I marvel at the deep browns, tans, greens and grays that you used to give the mountains definition. I would look forward to viewing more of your work.

Dear Mme. Hourani, I am a collector and former art dealer. I had a gallery for over fifteen years. Recently I had the opportunity to see some of your work, and I was very impressed. I tried to reach you before leaving the States, but I must had the wrong number. I would like to see other examples of your paintings because I like them very much. I hope someday to have the opportunity of meeting you.

Dearest Dede, Although it has been sometime since I have written you, I want you to that I have been thinking most importantly about you and your artwork. Dede, you were the first international artist that I had the pleasure of seeing during your exhibition in Houston in the mid 1980's. Ever so often I have an opportunity to see your great works of art on Capitol Hill. You know there are a few Senator's who, along with myself, have watched the various phases of your works throughout the years with great admiration. Throughout my career I have collected art inspired by your works and have had the opportunity to meet dealers in New York, Oregon, Virginia, as well as in other parts of the country. I always mention this great artist that I know in Lebanon and have had several dealers ask to see your slides. Dede, these collectors are extremely interested in reviewing your works and perhaps exhibiting your pieces in their galleries. It is my hope that you will entertain this notion and consider coming to the States for an exhibition. There are many of us that you have met in the Senate and in the business community that would be most delighted to attend a long overdue premier of your art in the United States. As a longtime admirer, I hope you will take this into consideration and share your great talent with your friends.

Doar Ms. Hourani, l have seen your work in Houston, Texas. I have been a professional sculpture for over 26 years and have been exposed to the full spectrum of paintings. Your abstract paintings express deliberate execution when you Lay the paint down and know it is with the knowledge of me who has the comprehension of what should go where and why. Keep painting! I hope to see some new work of yours on my next trip to Houston. My home and studio are open to you whenever you are in Montana.

As a collector of many different styles of artwork, I would like to recommend the work of Dede Hourani, of Beirut, Lebanon. My first purchase of a painting by Ms. Hourani was an abstract watercolor in the late 1980's. My wife and I fell in love with the painting as we both felt that it exhibited beautiful color and a great sense of spirituality. We both look forward to seeing more works by this talented artist and hope to one day add to our collection another piece by Ms. Hourani.

Dear Dede Hourani, I have collected numerous pieces of contemporary art throughout the country. My contemporary art collection includes purchases both from galleries and individual artists. My wife and I consider our paintings by Dede Hourani to be among the most valued art pieces in our collection. I am impressed with Dede Hourani's work because she is able to achieve unique and asymmetrical designs that are so important in abstract art. Her colors are extremely bold, and she is able to work on any size canvas. Dede Hourani's work seems to constantly evolve, which demonstrates her growth and adaptability as an artist. It is my pleasure to recommend her work to anyone who enjoys collecting abstract art.

The artist known as Dede Hourani from Beirut, Lebanon is a favorite of mine. I am fond of her landscapes because they are scaled so beautifully thus adding balance to any room in which they are hung. Dede's paintings are unobtrusive and they blend well with other artwork which adds to their popularity among collectors. The paintings display very well and are very capable of being the focal point of a room. Dede is an accomplished artist, and I look forward to watching her career develop.

My dear Dede, I love your paintings. I think you are one of the truly talented people of this world. Your abstracts are by far the best and one of these days we will have to use one of them for one of my CDs. I have a Christmas CD coming out and perhaps we can find one of your paintings to use on the cover. Keep painting. You are a marvelous artist. I am so proud of you. The paintings inspired by classical music are truly inspirational to me. I want you to know how fine I think your art is. Remember Paul Tillich, the great American theologian-philosopher said, "Faith says yes in spite of the anxiety of no." Have faith and say "yes" to your painting and artistic talents, in spite of the anxiety of "no," and you will be tremendously successful. I believe in you. Keep in touch. I look forward to seeing you again in this country. I hope someday Monzer and I can come to Lebanon and visit with you there. Your brother is a wonderful man. He is a brother to me. If there is anything I can do for Monzer or you, I will certainly try. God bless you.

Dear Dede, Your wonderful brother, Monzer, came to my office bringing with him that lovely painting that you did for Barbara and for me. Barbara will love it. Flowers are her favorite thing, and I know that when she sees the painting tonight she will be very, very happy. This painting is extra special coming as it did from a famous artist, a daughter of Lebanon. I hope you know the genuine affection I have in my heart for Lebanon. I hope before I die that Lebanon will once again be free of foreign forces and totally peaceful. My most sincere thanks to you for this lovely painting.

Dear Dede, I love the floral painting. Here is a photo of our seaside home in Maine. Thanks so much for our lovely painting.

Thank you for your kind gesture and for your special remembrance. Your expression of friendship means a great deal to us, and we send you our best wishes.

Dear Dede, I write again this time to thank you for that lovely picture of the dunes along the Maine coast. Your brother Monzer brought the picture to my office today, and I absolutely love it. I am sure Barbara will want to put this in our own home here, but eventually it will end up in my presidential Library at Texas A&M University, where others can enjoy its beauty. Many thanks for this wonderful painting. I am terribly worried about the aftermath of those horrible terrorist attacks here in the USA. Our country has never been more united, however, and the whole country is supporting our son, The President. I hope Lebanon is spared further conflict and terrorist attacks. With warm regards and many thanks.

Dear Dede: Thank you for the beautiful painting. Monzer presented it to me yesterday, and I must tell you, I am in awe with your talent. It is obvious that the Hourani family is gifted. Monzer is an extraordinary man. I feel fortunate to not only work with him professionally but also to know him on a personal level. He is a great person and a dear friend. I would love to pay you for the painting or to honor you in some way. Please let me know what I can do in return for this generous gift.

Dear Dede: Thank you for the book, forwarded by my father, President George H.W. Bush. I appreciate your kind gesture and thoughtfulness. Laura joins me in sending our best wishes. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America.