Just before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, painter Khalid Alkaaby, whose favorite medium is oil and canvas, continued to study at the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad. But by 2005, the war and terrorism that gripped his homeland forced Alkaaby to leave behind a fine arts studio and gallery and spend a couple years in Amman, Jordan, waiting for a visa that would allow him to immigrate to America.
Now calling San Diego County home, Alkaaby, who said he is greatly inspired by French impressionist Claude Monet, will be showing his works of art during an invitation-only exhibition in Rancho Santa Fe on Sept. 22. The public will be able to view Alkaaby’s work at Alexander Salazar Fine Art Gallery in downtown San Diego as of Oct. 1.
