I grew up with two older siblings who were well into their teens when I was born. As the youngest child, I learned very early on what it was to value your space. Our home was a beautiful villa in Jeddah that allowed in all the sunlight my heart desired, and I found warm nooks and corners to hold me and my art. It felt like a revelation, the first time I sat down to color in a far-away corner of the house. It felt very much like having my own little world where my art could bloom.

Now, I feel the same way about my studio. It is the most cherished corner of the world for me. It is where I go to think and create, it houses all of my art. I feel as though it has become the most fundamental part of my craft – the space I work in. It has become evident that the space I create in has almost as much of an impact on my craft as the art itself. I like to keep the fabrics from my old projects, they stand like ornaments on my desk. And often, they are the inspiration for my new projects as well. They have created a sort of patchwork of my past projects, and they inspire me to keep going when I get restless. It is almost a testament to how far I’ve already come. And I often use little pieces of them in my newer pieces, it’s a little nod at the past. It is so comforting.

I feel, as well, that having a separate space for my craft shows devotion and allows me to be more dedicated and more devoted to my work. It allows for a space where only my craft is practiced, instead of when I would simply work at home where I did multiple other things. I think this sort of separation between art and personal life allows for a more serious approach to art, which can be useful especially when you’re devoting your career to it.