Today we’d like to introduce you to Ameena Fareeda

Hi Ameena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Hello! My name is Ameena Fareeda and I am currently a freelance Illustrator and Designer based in the DMV area. My journey to becoming the Artist that I am today began with the importance of exploring my identity and finding interests that developed my unique sense of self.

Growing up I loved experimenting with different creative forms of expression. Whether it was painting portraits, drawing still lifes, participating in theater programs, listening to music day in and day out, watching movies, or reading books, and doodling every chance I get. Digesting and analyzing how people expressed their inner and true selves allowed me to open up and break through my own shell. Creating art was one of the few things that freed me and allowed me to just be myself without any pressure or rules attached. I desperately wanted to continue to feel the spark of joy and relief I felt as I created and decided to pursue the arts into my college years, even though I was unsure of my journey ahead.

To be honest, I was very intimidated in the years of being a student at The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and wasn’t sure if I felt like I belonged there surrounded by so many talented peers. With every piece I made I was both hesitant in my outcomes, but confident in learning to grow. I wanted to develop my artistic voice to help me navigate my own unique story. In the end, I produced works that allowed me to enhance my voice and spread my wings to share who I was with the world unapologetically!

I had finally felt happy with the work I was creating, however I didn’t think it was good enough. At times I felt rejected by the standards of the art field and couldn’t reach the audience I wanted to connect with. I couldn’t decipher the puzzle that would satisfy my creative endeavors. I continued to persevere and create works that resonated with me and naturally people were very receptive to my work! Creating works that explored my Asian- American identity became intertwined with my passion projects. The culmination of working sleepless nights, harsh critiques, abandoned ideas, evolved into my stylistic approach, strong sense of identity and passion for creating!

Though I currently don’t have a “fancy professional” art job, becoming a freelance artist was one of the best things I could do to free myself of societal pressures. I now participate in art shows and exhibitions that highlight the Asian diaspora. I take part in group projects for topics that I am passionate about. I love sharing my story with different platforms and love creating fan art in my free time! I love to use bold and bright colors and shapes that ignite a sense of joy and curiosity!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

For me personally, the road came with lots of bumps and detours, I’m still driving along the path and waiting for smooth pavement.

One of the biggest struggles that I have come to face multiple times, was navigating the feeling of rejection from the arts industry. I wasn’t able to land a job in the field right after college since I was in the midst of developing my portfolio, which coincided with the devastation of the global pandemic which halted everyone’s lives.

My inner critic constantly reminded me that “I didn’t make it as an artist”, even though I was still doing my best in situations that were out of my control. I would go home from my day job and work on my art all night to somehow keep that creative flame in me alive. It was exhausting, and I often would get burnt out trying to keep up with everything. Frankly, I sometimes still get that weird feeling in me, but I think now it was a sort of driving force for me to keep creating and have fun!

Unfortunately, right when I finally felt like I developed my artistic voice and style, the world shut down. This time gave me space to heal and explore who I was at the time. I went back to finding the roots of my creative inspirations and gave myself permission to connect with myself. Throughout this time I was producing so much work that I was creating nearly everyday! I didn’t force the process nor burnt out as often as I did in the past. I shared my work online and felt an overwhelming amount of reception and love towards the work I was making!

With all that being said though, I’m anticipating how the next challenge will elicit growth in me. It’s hard not to be afraid of changes but embracing these unique experiences and allowing them to lead you forward into new possibilities!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I’m an Illustrator and Designer specializing in creating work that transforms everyday nuances into fun work that elicits a sense of curiosity and joy! I don’t have a specific niche, but I would describe my work as “Illustrative Design”. One of my main focuses as a creative is developing work that sheds light onto the AAPI cultural and social experiences. As an Asian American, I believe it’s important to enhance and highlight the voices of the AANHPI (Asian American and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander) communities. Creating work that encapsulates who I am as “Ameena Fareeda” is the predominant theme in my works. Whether it’s illustrating food I love to eat, designing a poster for a band I really like, or drawing flowers because I find them beautiful, all my works inherently represent my identity. I am known for creating work that is colorful, bold and graphic! I love to use color in my work that is intertwined with fun shapes and illustrations to evoke a whimsical spirit!

I am proud of my stylistic approach of combining design and illustrative elements to complete a piece! Rather than only approaching works through a single lens, I love experimenting with the word “Illustration” and executing different forms of it! I am also very proud of my personal work series. I absolutely adore making fan art and create works that are basically just me expressing how much I love something with my own little artistic touch to it! I have so much fun developing different concepts and designs. Visualizing a unique interpretation of something that’s out in the world, is like a fun game!

Everyone has their own unique journey and I think by sharing my journey it allows people to connect with me on a personal level. Constantly being on a path to grow and explore has led me to being a creative that is full of happiness and curiosity. My work being representational of who I am regardless of its form, fulfills me as an Artist.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?

The most important lesson I have learned on my journey so far, is to create for yourself, not for others. Being an artist takes a lot of dedication and passion, and if you let others dictate when to be excited about creating, it won’t benefit you in the long haul.

This is a complicated lesson that I’m also still struggling with from time to time. It can be really draining to continuously create and make work for the sake of “keeping up with everyone”, ultimately a lot of creatives get burnt out this way, I’ve been there many times. In today’s society many get lost in the easily accessible digital world, where with one swipe and touch of a profile you can access a full library of works that can either lead you to spiraling and a meltdown or getting inspired and creating. It’s a double edged sword.

It’s important to remember that creating for the sake of creating is a necessity. It allows you to appreciate the process of your craft, to enjoy your unique way of thinking that brings new work into fruition. One can experience the complicated nuances that go into creating while you explore your imagination. There is value in what you create because it is inherently a reflection of who you are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ameenafareeda.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uhmeanuh/

Image Credits

All images provided are made/taken by the artist, Ameena Fareeda.