We were lucky to catch up with Maru Ghanem recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Maru thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My mom always encouraged any creative pursuit I was interested in. If I needed the supplies she would use the very little money she had to buy it for me. She would pick me up from art clubs and never say a negative thing about the art I made when I was a kid. To her it was always the most beautiful thing not because of what it was visually but because I made it and it had my heart in it. She fostered this creativity in me and without her support I wouldn’t have had the courage to start posting my art online. All the bright colors in my art are connected to the love I have for my mother.

Maru, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Nicaraguan- Egyptian Illustrator and Designer based in the US! I had always been an artist, since I was a young girl really, but I didn’t think I had the skill to pursue it in the traditional way. I didn’t know any alternative, so I decided to study Industrial Design in university. I would go on to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in 2020, but due to the pandemic, my career was put on hold. Not knowing what to do, I decided to take up illustration again, now equipped with the new knowledge I had in my arsenal.

What sets me apart from other artists is my unique style, a blend of design sketching and colorful illustration that has a dream like quality to it. I also have knowledge of the manufacturing and design process, so I’m very good at adapting to needs of clients. I have designed things I never imagined I’d get the chance to in my youth. I’ve done pet portraits, washi tape, children’s book covers, and even worked with DFTBA records to design tooth themed socks.

My biggest pride is that so many people feel joy when they see my characters. These were the imaginary friends my childself dreamed of and to see it be responded to with such warmth is something I keep close to my heart.

I want people to know that my work is the essence of my identity as an Nicaraguan -Egyptian. Two nations that have so much culture to offer, but it is only accepted in its most derivative form. My colors, my patterns, my work is all inspired by the ones I grew up surrounded by. When society has told me to tone down my character, I refuse and glow brighter through my craft.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Society must make Art and all its branches accessible! Art education should be valued and a necessity if we want a future generation to respect the work of a creative, instead of having us replaced with AI generators. I think materials should be accessible as well. How many crafts have people wanted to try but simply couldn’t afford ? Pottery, stained glass, jewelry making and so many other trades are extremely expensive to get into. Are we losing out on a renaissance because we simply don’t have access to the tools to birth one?

Accessibility to art from all walks of life is the way for a creative ecosystem to truly thrive. Respect and familiarity must introduced to us at our earliest stages. And we build forward from the bottom up.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I had many art account attempts throughout my career. But I’d continue to fail to gain traction. I was drawing mostly stuff I saw was popular online, the pintrest girls, fan art, and maybe some flowers from time to time. They weren’t really my favorite thing to draw but I did it cause I wanted people to notice my work. It wasn’t until late 2020 when I decided to start from scratch and post the things I wanted to make. I posted things that I saw as beautiful and what I wanted to see. And people who love that too will always find you and know your worth. I also took time to grow friendships with other artists, and we always uplifted each other. It’s never a competition, art is a community,not a race.

My advice is go in not trying to please others, do art for yourself. Make friends with other artists. Know that we lift each other up. People love authenticity

Contact Info:

• Website: maruillo.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/maru_illo
• Twitter: https://x.com/maru_illo
• Other: http://tumblr.com/maru-illo