Sunday, October 27, 2013

For Those Who Like Options...

The book is now available on Amazon.com and Amazon Europe!  It will soon be available through eBay as well.  Also, keep an eye out for some upcoming special discount offers on the horizon, as well as a possible kindle version coming out soon.  It's good to have things to look forward to!

To view and order the book through Amazon you can simply use the search and type in my name "Tanal Barakat" and it should show up immediately or you can use the following links.

Amazon.com

Amazon UK

Amazon Germany

Amazon France

Amazon Italy

Amazon Spain


Don't forget it's also available through CreateSpace.com.

Enjoy!!!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

It's Finally Here!!!

Yes my friends, the time has finally come.  I am pleased to announce that the compilation book of  "The People Project" has finally been completed.  I will be sending out the personalized copies to the appropriate donors who have been patiently waiting for their copy of the book.  For those of you who would like a copy, the book is ready for immediate purchase through the CreateSpace eStore at:  https://www.createspace.com/4280412

The book will soon be available for purchase through the Amazon.com, Amazon Europe, and eBay and eBay's half.com in addition to the CreateSpace eStore.  I will provide the appropriate links soon as the listings for these distribution channels become available.

I'd like to, once again, thank everyone for their kindness.  Below is an excerpt of the Foreword which describes the format of the book:

"Within this book you will find written passages and captions amongst the various art pieces. The dated entries correspond to blog posts written on the same day each piece was completed during the course of the project. However, rather than republishing the posts verbatim, I edited and reinterpreted the blog posts to reflect more deeply what I felt during the course of the project.

            You will also find quotations and captions that correspond to specific pictures. Some were provided by the donors of their respective pictures, while others I created upon request. Others were added if the text was part of the picture and some simply because the text complemented the picture.

The blog posts are arranged chronologically and the pictures follow the same timeline as they are also ordered based on the date they were completed. The last artwork was intentionally placed independent of the chronology for personal reasons.

            As a result, this publication has evolved beyond its original form (a compilation of artwork), becoming the chronicle of a journey." (The People Project iii)

I hope you all enjoy and relish the completion of this final stage of "The People Project" as much as I have.  I could not have said it better than I did in this excerpt taken from one of the entries of our book:

"Words truly can’t convey what I’m thinking and feeling in this incredible moment. I have finally finished the last batch of paintings for The People Project, and while the journey is not yet complete, it’s as if I just finished climbing the first peak in a range of mountains. Before me, there are only higher peaks each one more dauntingly beautiful and humbling than the one before. But as I look back across the distance I have traversed, I see a wide open expanse, a horizon as far as the eye can see and all the beauty therein. While there is more to do, I can’t help but reflect on the privilege and the loveliness of my journey thus far. I look back on all the trials and tribulations, as well as all the support and love and encouragement I received throughout this phase of the project. I could continue on, talking about my feelings and gratitude, but it would only cheapen the depth of my sentiment. From here on, I begin working on the bookthe embodiment of everything we have all worked on together up to this point. I will forever be grateful to all of you who made this project a reality and I hope that you will carry its legacy within yourselves as well." (The People Project 65)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Oh My!

Has it really been a little over two months since I last posted an update!?  How time flies.  I have been vigorously working for the past two months on the editing phase of the book.  And while there were many technical as well as more intangible difficulties, ranging from technological malfunctions to complex existential issues (exaggeration), perseverance carried the day.  I even brought on board an excellent editor who truly enriched and carried the project to meet its full potential.  I will include a full bio and brief statement from the editor upon the release of the final version of the book.

  In the meantime I am happy to announce that the initial phase of the editing process has been completed.  As I write this update I have already gotten the ok from the publisher that all technical specifications have been met and the book is ready to print.  I have also already ordered a proof of the book so that I and my editor can personally review a physical copy of the book to look for any final issues that need to be addressed before the book is released and available for purchase.  The proof should arrive in about one to two weeks, and if all goes well, the release of the book should be shortly thereafter.  I will then post information of where the book can be purchased, for how much, and any other technical or logistical details.

Thank you all for your patience and support (as always).  I believe (and hope) you will all be pleasantly surprised when you get your hands on the fruit of all our labor.  It really has been a long and winding road but the destination is in sight my friends, it won't be long now!

In the mean time, for those of you who don't know, I have posted all the paintings from The People Project onto my portfolio website www.TanalBarakat.com, so please check it out as well as my other work if you are interested.

Cheers!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Overdue Book Update

Hello all!  It has been a while since I've updated you all on the progress of the compilation book for "The People Project".  There have been several issues these past few months from computer break downs to some financial difficulties and the heat etc, the list of unfortunate events and complaints goes on.

However, on the bright side, the book is developing into quite the unique little project of it's own.  I believe you will all find it 'magical' once it is completed.  I believe I will be able to finalize everything in the coming two weeks. I can not tell you more than that as I would like to save all the details and surprises for a later post when we are ready to release the book itself as well as the ordering details and other information.  Oh suspense!

However (again),  below you will see a picture of the front cover in progress to give you "a lil somthin-somethin" to keep your interest and the suspense alive.  Thanks all for your patience as we finalize the last, last, very last part of "The People Project".

Cheers!
ps ignore the grey border, that's not part of the cover...


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Urgent Update

Hello everyone!  I am currently nearing completion of editing the book. (took me long enough!)

 As such, I am asking that if any of you who have contributed have a specific "Title" for the piece that I have created for you and would like it to appear in the book, I will be collecting those names and incorporating them into the book.  If you don't have any ideas or wish to decline giving a title, I myself will provide a title for the work.

Also, as this is a project about people, I would also like to include a more human side to the artworks themselves.  I will be including a "Captions" section at the end after all the artworks.  This will allow each of you to submit a brief statement and have it appear in the book.  It can be about the reason you chose that particular picture, the history behind the picture, something to humanize the project even more as well as to add your own personal touches to the project.  This is optional.

As we are on a tight deadline now, If you so choose to submit either a title or a caption for your specific artwork, I will be collecting them for exactly One Week.  Meaning May 30th at midnight pacific time (12am or 24:00)  is the final deadline to get the titles and captions to me.  The title/caption can be submitted by messaging me through the project's kistarter page (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/313689664/the-people-project) or directly to my email:  tibarakat@gmail.com . Again, this is optional but highly encouraged as it will be the final touch to The People Project.  What better way to end it with the last stroke delivered by the people who made the project possible!

On a side note, I have created an author's portrait to go in the about the author section.  I couldn't resist but I  promise it will be a very small section lol Check out the portrait!


Monday, May 6, 2013

Happy Anniversary Everyone!!!

That's right, it's the anniversary of when "The People Project" was funded, one year ago on May 6, 2012!!!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/313689664/the-people-project

So HAPPY ANNIVERSARY EVERYONE!!!

It's been a very long and arduous road but just as enjoyable and rewarding.  I could not have made it this far without all of your support, encouragement and patience!

Progress on the book is coming nicely.  I would have liked to have finished it by the anniversary but these things take time.  I'm aiming to have it finished sometime this month and have it released and available for purchase.  More details to follow!

If you still have not received your piece, please contact me asap!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Finally! On To The Book...

Hello Everyone!  I am please to announce that all the remaining prints have been successfully shipped out.  So the remaining recipients will be receiving their rewards shortly.  It has been a long and arduous process with many a pitfall but we made it this far.  Thank you all for your patience.

I have been notified of a couple issues regarding certain packages and have resolved them quite easily.  If anyone else does not receive their rewards by the end of next week please let me know.  Also, if there are any problems with your reward, again, please let me know.

All that is left now is to proceed to compiling the final compilation book containing all of your various art pieces.  It's been almost a year since we embarked on this journey together (funding period ended successfully on May 6, 2012), and the anniversary is coming up.  I hope to have the book completed soon and ready for order.  For those of you who contributed at the higher reward levels, you will be receiving a signed version of the book with my personal thanks and signature hand written within.  For those of you who are interested, the book will be available for order.  I will have more details, links and prices available as the compilation and production of the book nears completion.

Thank you all once again for your patience and your support.

In other good news, I have officially updated my personal portfolio website and it now contains a special section dedicated exclusively to the art work from The People Project.  So be sure to check out my site and take a look at your respective pictures as well as everything else that I've got up there!  www.TanalBarakat.com

Cheers!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Long Overdue Update!

Hello people of "The People Project"!  It's been a while I know but have no fear, I have updates for you.

It's official, I've finally finished sending out all the 8x11 inch paper prints to those of you who donated at that particular reward level.  Yay.  I'm currently still sending out the various canvas rewards which more time consuming process due to size variation and proper packaging, but that will be done shortly.  For those paper and canvas rewards that have already been sent, I have tracking numbers courtesy of the United States Postal Service which I can provide upon request.  Just email me to let me know if you'd like yours in order to track your package.  Obviously, the rewards that haven't been sent will not have a tracking number as of yet but we will change that shortly (after I mail them ;).

Once the mailing of the rewards is complete, you can all look forward to the final published compilation book of all the paintings from this project.  More updates about that soon so stay tuned!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Last Batch of 2013!

(For dramatic effect, please listen to this song while reading the rest of the post, thank you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M)

My friends, it has finally happened.  Yes, it has been a long and winding journey, but we actually made it.  Phase One of "The People Project" has finally been completed!

For those of you who don't know, phase one refers to the painting/creation phase of the project, and I have just now completed the last batch of the pictures for the project.  The shock has yet to settle in for me.  I've been working on these babies since before I even began the fundraising for "The People Project" back in April 2012.  And now, many moons later, I have finally finished painting.

I want to thank you all for your support and patience, your kind words and loving compassion.  I seriously could not have come this far without you all.  We've come quite a ways together. 

However, this is only the first leg of the journey, and my work is not yet finished.  The next phase consists of continuing to verify mailing addresses and ship out canvases as well as finally beginning compiling images and organizing the final compilation book in which all the paintings from The People Project will be featured in.  I know I'm looking forward to finishing that phase as well.  The book of course will be available for purchase.  Details are soon to follow.

But, for now, let's just celebrate the completion of the last batch of paintings.  I hope you all enjoy them as much as I did making them.  Celebrate good times!







Friday, January 11, 2013

First Batch of 2013!

We have the first batch of art pieces for the new year as the painting phase of the project is nearing its end.  My estimate is that the next post will be the last batch of paintings for the picture phase of "The People Project". Yay!

It's been a long hard road filled with many new learning experiences and growth.  I've enjoyed every minute of it, but it's not over yet.  I will save the emotional speech and thanks after I finish the first phase of this project and begin phase 2 of the project... compiling the paintings into book-form!

Some of you may be wondering why you have not received your paintings yet.  I have put a hold on shipping until I finish the remaining few donor pictures so that I can devote my full attention to them as I get closer to winding this phase up, especially since I have increased my production rate.  I will continue verifying addresses and mailing rewards within the next couple weeks depending when I finish the painting phase.  Thank you all for your patience.  We artists can be fussy and hard to deal with so your understanding is greatly appreciated.

And now, without further babbling on my part, I give you the latest pieces for "The People Project".  Enjoy!