Artist paints Shiekh Zayed as token of appreciation

A Filipino artist has painted President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and some of his sons to fulfil an old dream of giving them a special gift to show his fascination for the Royal family.

Gil Morante Saubon spent nearly five months painting pictures of Sheikh Zayed and eight of his sons and all the paintings will be presented to them as a souvenir.

Gil has put the magnificent paintings on show at the Khaldeya Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi and officials of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation said they were impressed by them.

"I spent nearly five months painting these pictures. I will give them as a souvenir to His Highness the President and his sons," the 40-year-old painter said.

"I have always wanted to give them a very special gift to show my appreciation and admiration. I am really fascinated by this family and what they have done for their country. It is really amazing."

Gil's oil painting and mural show includes several portraits of Sheikh Zayed as well as His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture, and other sons of the President.

Gil said he is working on paintings of the remaining sons of Sheikh Zayed and will hold another exhibition in December showing all the members of the President's family. He put "much effort" in his work especially in painting Sheikh Zayed and found that the President has "perfect features".

"A painter who paints a personality with good features really enjoys his work. I enjoyed painting the President's portrait," he said.