What you see in the picture above is one of the first Islamic geometric patterns I did back in 2017.

I’m showing you this to make sure you understand that everyone has to start from somewhere. I wasn’t born with miracle-creating hands or already-learned skills. So what’s my story and journey?

 

I’ve always loved art and everything that has to do with it.

When I was younger, I used to draw hands and people faces, but as a self-taught, I didn’t have the adequate skills for that. My drawings looked okay, but there was something that didn’t satisfy me, so I started drawing mandalas.

Drawing mandalas was funny, but freehand drawing was still a bit frustrating.

 

2017 WHAT A GREAT YEAR

In 2017 I got fired, so I took the whole year off in order to do all the things I didn’t have the time for while working. Somehow I found this 10£ Islamic geometry online course by Samira Mian. Little did I know that those 10£ would change my life.

Soon enough, I was craving for more information, so I bought all the books I could find about this topic and became self-taught.

Learning the basics has helped me to understand and construct complex geometry on my own while miniature drawing helped me to define my style. I love to scroll down my Instagram page and look how far I’ve come. 

 

THE FIRST IN-PERSON COURSE

But learning it all from books left me with the desire to take an in-person class with a skilled and trained teacher so, in 2018, I decided to attend the Art of Islamic Pattern course in Fez, and in 2019 I attended the Islamic geometry summer school in Alqueria des Rosales – Spain.

In the meantime, an increasing number of people got interested in my art, and I started to receive a lot of messages from followers seeking help on how to get started, demand for resources and tutorials.

I soon started to realise that there is a lot of interest in Islamic geometry, especially in complex geometry, but so little information out there. And this is why I’ve created this website.

 

THE BEAUTY AND THE PAIN

I know how it feels like to be a beginner. I know how it feels when you have to hold back your imagination because you don’t have the knowledge/skills to create what is in your mind.

And I don’t want you to give up on the artist in you only because you think you cannot do it or because you are afraid of failure.

Whenever I’m afraid or doubtful, I ask myself “what is the worst thing that could happen if I do that?” .

If the answer is “nothing” or if it sounds childish, then roll up your sleeves and work hard.

 

To help you get started with Islamic geometric patterns I’ve created a FAQ guide with E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G you need to know. You can download it here.