LA Artist Practices Islam to Commemorate Victims in Iraq

Los Angeles based artist, Andy Cline has been involved in what sounds like a simple project for over a year now.  He set out to make a painting with 655,000 brushstrokes, the number of Iraqi war victims, post 'liberation', as a result of the American occupation, according to a study published by Lancet, a research group, in September of 2006.  "I wanted to try to experience in some way the gravity of that number," said Cline in an interview with himself only moments ago.  "When I had time to dedicate to the piece, I was averaging about 12,000 marks per day," Cline says.  Nowadays, his Iraq Painting has receded behind a hefty stack of other paintings.  In light of the ongoing conflict, Cline has taken a different approach to the same subject and project as a supplement to the painting.
Eight days ago, Cline began to make his approach towards the practices of Islam.  "I started off learning about the basic misconceptions around the incredibly misunderstood religion."  He says he wants to practice for 54.5 days, the days it would take him to complet the Iraq Painting if he made 12,000 marks per day. 
"I see engagement in learning about Islam as a fundamental in beginning to understand the people and the conflicts that surround people in the Middle East.  One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Religion are the Five Pillars of Islam and the discipline it takes to uphold them.  I am excited that Ramadan falls at a perfect moment in this art piece.  I will be able to end the art piece and end Ramadan on the same day."