“Quarantine in Beirut, with three young kids to homeschool and keep profitably entertained, restricted time to myself and the scope for creative activity. I had been exploring the theme of the evil eye in Levantine culture, painting compulsively into the night, in the space I had left. Then the explosion. Recoil. A step back to reflect. To unwind. To overcome limitations. Then I leave to Riyadh. A new space to paint: outdoors. Not my studio or terrace. But a space that inspired me to work, surrounded by changing elements, light, colors and sounds of nature. It transcended my perspective and my way of painting. I couldn’t stop. I needed to express my response to my immediate surroundings, to push beyond the boundaries, to free myself, to share my positivity. What I learnt: I didn’t need a studio space to create; I didn’t need the usual tools to paint; I explored different textures and techniques. The eyes couldn’t restrain me. With confinement came liberation. I broke out of the mould; crashed through the self imposed barriers, and couldn’t hold back. Each painting developed from a sublime experience of the now. Each canvas evolved with a new language I was using to express myself. My surroundings made me rethink the way I paint and the language I use to paint. This is what my series of 'All Eyes Upon You’ reflects.”

"I have been spending my time in quarantine to really delve deeper and reflect on my wider practice. The past few years have been quite hectic for me, so this pause that we are all experiencing is something I am embracing and trying to not take for granted. I am spending this time finishing off some current projects while also thinking about future works that I have always wanted to do."

“I am here working as always in my studio. If anything I have become more concentrated, I don’t care much about time or prioritising my tasks. I am going through a phase that is delving deeper into my work at a much more slower and detailed phase, which brings me very nice results. There is no pressure with time constrains and this gives me a kind of satisfaction. In the beginning it was disturbing for me but now I found it very comfortable. I never cared about time when producing my work - and now even less!”

الابداع ليس مرتبط بفترة لانة موهبة من الله والأحداث تاتي وتزول والفنان يتعايش مع كل الظروف فهو قادر على أن يجعل من المواقف الصعبة شيء جميل من خلال لون أو من خلال لحظة فرح يعيشها مع ما يملكة من ابداع ...وذلك بالفكر الإيجابي حتى يبتعد عن الواقع المؤلم من حولة

فترة الحجر نتعامل معها كبقية الايام.... بالنسبة إلى الالهام الظروف تحتم ان يكون هناك موضوع لما نتعايش معة وهذة الظروف مفروضة على الجميع فى كل بقاع الأرض لذلك لها جزء من التفكير والفنان قادر على كيفية التعامل مع ما يحيط بة

يوميات كنت اسجلها لم تمنعني فترة الحجر من الاستمرار فيها

“I have always believed that words are the most ancient form of magic. Writing is my way to express myself and invite people into my inner world. I published two books so far, one in Arabic #قلم_في_يد_امرأة and one in English #acupofchaos.

When the pandemic hit I was in Oxford in the UK studying my MA in Creative Writing. I saw fear in people's eyes and it seeped into my poetry. I came back with a new understanding of how we need to connect through words, through stories, through solidarity. In this confinement we are forced to be alone with our thoughts, and if we don't know how to articulate them with compassion, our mental health will suffer. I created @content.bloom account to provide tips on writing and to organize writing workshops. We need every form of expression to go through the waves of emotions that are hitting us right now. So write, journal, create your own unique form of art and take care of yourself.”

“When I left my studio at Tashkeel, all I took was my watercolor material. I figured I would spend two or three weeks at home experiencing a technique more deeply. Before that, I was basically using oil paints. Usually, when you change a method entails a couple of challenges. My practice is all about getting out of my comfort zone. If something has become a formula, that is a sign I should try something different!

I'm lucky to have a daughter at University, her room became my studio. I'm focusing on my practice trying hard not to have any judgments or pressure. I'm also meditating and reading more.

We are all out of our comfort zones. We are being challenged by the universe. And I am grateful to have art to nurture my soul. “

“During the quarantine I have been actively busy at my studio working on a few projects for my next solo exhibition soon after the situation gets back to normal. I‘m working on a few traditional, cultural, portraits, landscapes of Dubai scenery and Dubai creek apart from my daily outdoor sketches. Nature is a part of me, I’m always inspired by this.”

“Being confined to our homes for so many months has come with its challenges and unexpected silver linings. As a mother of three young children, it became increasingly difficult for me to find space to be alone with my thoughts and creative process. However it has also granted me a lot of perspective, and made me appreciate the smallest, most mundane things in life that I once took for granted. There is a meditative beauty in slowing down – it creates an opportunity for introspection, reflection and growth.

I began working on a project very close to my heart a couple of months ago. The massive explosion in Beirut, on August 4th with its devastating aftermath and destruction shook me to my core. In addition to fighting the pandemic, Lebanon had been facing a crippling economic crisis, famine and political unrest. I really wanted to find a way to contribute and show my solidarity with the Lebanese people.

' قلبي في لبنان ' (Lebanon in My Heart/ Le Liban Dans Mon Cœur) is a limited edition series of hand-embroidered boxes, created to raise funds to help the people of Beirut in rebuilding their city. Designed with a reinterpretation of a vintage Lebanese stamp from 1989, the illustration depicts a cedar tree, a symbol of strength and resilience, with rays of light beaming from within - symbolizing hope. Each box is handmade and takes 18 hours to embroider. The net proceeds of the sales will be donated to @impact.lebanon to contribute towards their Disaster Relief Fundraiser for Beirut.

Lebanon, we have not forgotten you. You are always in our heart.”

“We all tend to be alone time to time. Honestly speaking, my only consideration during quarantine has been the fear of losing my beloved ones.

I like loneliness because it stimulates my mind to fly into my dreamland, where I like to reflect in its beauty and magic through my artist hands. This portrait is of my friend Ehya, she’s a painter too.

Despite my education in Civil Engineering I have always been drawing since I can recall and now I deeply believe that this is the path I should follow.”

“I never painted what I was planning for, I always find myself leaded by my art, and it's the only obedience I can handle. However, I still plan.”