We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samar Hussaini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samar below.
Samar, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
I’m happier as an artist. I spent fifteen years working as an associate creative director in New York City advertising agencies, building online brand campaigns for major pharmaceutical companies. It was a demanding, fast-paced environment, but it taught me a great deal — how to position and market myself, how to discuss my work with confidence, and how to think strategically about creative ideas.
Even though art comes with its challenges — like days when I’m in the studio struggling with a painting that just won’t come together, or when people connect deeply with my work but galleries don’t take notice — I never find myself wishing for a more conventional job. The frustrations and uncertainties of the artist’s life are real, but they’re far surpassed by the freedom, purpose, and deep fulfillment I feel in pursuing my creative vision. And I know that one day, the right gallery will see that too.
There’s something powerful about following my path, exploring without limits, and creating something unique. That’s a kind of purpose and freedom I never found in corporate life. Even in moments of doubt, I know this is where I belong. The skills I built in advertising still help me handle the business side of my art, but at the end of the day, this — the artist’s path — is what feels most true to me.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Picture a kid growing up in the 1970s in a house bursting with culture, history, art, and politics — the kind of place where stories were told over tea with mint, the news was always on in the background, and family meant everything. That was me, the daughter of Palestinian parents who passed down a fierce sense of pride and heritage. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a love of creative expression that refused to let go.
Fast forward to degrees in Studio Art and Art History from the University of Maryland, then an MS in Communication Design from Pratt Institute in New York City. After that, I jumped headfirst into the wild ride of NYC advertising, where I spent fifteen years as an associate creative director, crafting award-winning digital campaigns for big-name pharma brands. That experience sharpened my storytelling skills and taught me how to present my ideas with confidence — something I still lean on every day as an artist.
I’ve always been drawn to making things, inspired by the richness of my Palestinian roots and by all the incredible people I met growing up. I still remember stepping into the studio of Iraqi artist Leila Kubba Kawash as a teenager, completely mesmerized by how her work held movement, memory, and history in every stroke. That moment lit a spark in me. I knew then that I wanted to create art that honored my Palestinian American identity and radiated a sense of positivity and resilience.
Eventually, I left the advertising behind to follow what felt true: making work that is personal, layered, and authentic. These days, my practice combines painting, mixed media, and textile-inspired techniques, especially reimagining tatreez, traditional Palestinian embroidery, in a contemporary way. I build up layers with acrylic, ink, graphite, image transfers, and freehand machine embroidery, sometimes even turning my paintings into sculptural dresses based on the Palestinian dress called the thobe. The work explores resilience, memory, identity, and cultural continuity.
At its heart, my art tries to push back against cultural invisibility and erasure. It makes space for stories that rarely get told, celebrating a culture that holds beauty, strength, and pride even through hardship. Merging abstract contemporary painting with the symbolic language of tatreez lets me “stitch” together memory, history, and modern life into one visual conversation.
One of my proudest moments was exhibiting at the 59th Venice Biennale as part of From Palestine With Art, where I shared my layered, textile-inspired dress titled “Ahlan, With Open Arms” on a global stage alongside other visionary Palestinian artists. I’m equally proud of serving as Exhibition Chair for the National Association of Women Artists, supporting and uplifting other women’s creative voices. The best part is watching people connect with the work, finding hope, recognition, and maybe even a bit of healing.
Every piece I make is layered with intention. It’s not just about technique or style — it’s about preserving culture, honoring identity, and celebrating resilience. I hope my work sparks conversation, deepens empathy, and holds space for the stories of those who came before us.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most important part of being an artist is getting to tell the stories that too often get pushed aside — stories rooted in my Palestinian heritage, layered with memory, resilience, and pride. There’s nothing like taking all those experiences and turning them into something you can actually see and feel.
Whether I’m layering paint, stitching tatreez into a canvas, or transforming a piece into a sculptural dress, I feel like I’m honoring culture while shaking up old stereotypes and inviting people to look a little deeper. It’s amazing when someone connects with my work — maybe they see themselves in it, learn something new, or just pause for a moment to really think. That spark of connection, that “wait, tell me more” moment — that’s what makes this whole adventure so meaningful.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
It’s all about celebrating and protecting culture, holding space for stories and traditions that have survived so much, and sharing their beauty and resilience. Art has this amazing, transcendent power to bridge divides and build empathy, and I truly believe that what I’m making can help create a deeper understanding, appreciation, and compassion. I’m always pushing myself to create fresh, innovative work that pulls people in and makes them curious. If my art can get a conversation going, open hearts, or help someone see our culture in a new light, then I know I’m on the right track.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samardesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samardesignsandart/
