We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marina Ibrahim a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I knew from when I was very young that I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally, I just didn’t know exactly what it was going to be. In my first year of middle school, I fell in love with the trumpet. I was outgoing and loud, so it suited me perfectly. I dreamt of performing in the Nashville Symphony. About a year or two later, I got my first real pet– a creamsicle cat named Mishmish– and he became a real source of inspiration for me. I was (and still am) obsessed with him. So much so that I wanted to capture his majestic visage and eternalise it in some way. This started my pursuit of the visual arts.

I started off drawing animals with markers, watercolor, and colored pencil, and then I went on to draw portraits of people and continued this for about 8 years before I went to college. My poor trumpet collected dust in my closet while I painted like mad in the corner of my room. I had thought that I would pursue fine arts as a painter/sculptor, but I discovered my love and talent for children’s illustration in college by accident, and that is how I have been put on this path as a children’s book illustrator. I just loved my cat way too much.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an Egyptian-American illustrator based in Nashville, Tennessee, and I first really got into my industry in college, when I interned at a publishing house making children’s activity pages. They became my first real client, and we still work together today (thankfully, they are a joy to work with). I have also gotten work as a surface/pattern designer, making wallpapers, puzzles, greeting cards, children’s pjs, party invitations, etc. For my clients, I help them conceptualize and visualize ideas that may be more vague or abstract and help them come to fruition. What sets me apart from others is my ethnic background and perspective, as well as my unique style and creative voice. I am proud of the work that I have been able to accomplish so far, and I look forward to illustrating my own stories and ideas in the future! I believe my purpose is to create stories that help and empower others, and I will stop at nothing to accomplish this.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Something non-creatives might not understand is that as a creative, I knew going into it that my path would not be easy or straightforward. I knew that there would be ups and downs, feasts and famine, and a long winding path to success. Being an illustrator was already tough even before the current job market and economy, but it is a struggle worth undertaking. I knew that there was not much job security and that being able to make a living off of it was going to be hard, but nothing good ever comes easily. Success doesn’t look like a mega mansion with 20 Lambos in the garage. Success looks like being fulfilled in your work, following your calling, and impacting others in a positive way.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the connection you are able to build with others that transcends language. I remember vividly at one of my gallery shows, a woman comes up to me in tears and tells me that one of my pieces has moved her greatly, and she is not often moved by art like this. This piece was based off of a song written/sung in Arabic, yet she was able to empathize with the subject and understand the emotion, and story without ever having to hear the song. I love that with art, you are able to touch and connect with others without having to say a single word or even be in the same room. It makes the pursuit worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://marinaibrahimillustration.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/msi.illustration
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-ibrahim-illustration/