The Heartbeat That Caught Me: Why Do Arab Women Inspire My Art?

       Picsart potrait.

Today I want to share with you my illustrations of Arab women that I've portrayed, using different techniques: from vector art with clean lines, to the use of more organic digital brushes, and even experimenting with finger brushes in PicsArt.

The Beat That Caught Me: Why Do Arab Women Inspire My Art?

Hello everyone, and welcome to my first post! I'm Andrea, the creator of Proyarte 360, and today I want to share with you why, as a Venezuelan, I fell deeply in love with Arabic music and dance, and how this passion has become the main muse for my digital art.

An Unexpected Encounter with Rhythm and Grace

Since I was 6 years old, my mother always kept me active in dance. I started with nationalist dance, what we know in Venezuela as Folklore. But at 13, out of the blue, she asked me if I would like to try Arabic dance. Curious and somewhat skeptical, I said yes.

That's how I ended up at the academy. I remember being fascinated by so many spectacular women with incredible makeup and a passionate dance style, full of grace and strength. The first song that mesmerized me was Amr Diab's iconic "Habibi Ya Nour El Ain," and with that hypnotic beat, my heart went boom! That's how it all began. Today, at 28, I continue to dance independently and am deeply in love with this dance.

                    Picsart portrait.

Heart Connection: From Movement to Pixels

Five years ago, when I began studying Graphic Design, I delved into digital art. Since then, I've felt deeply called to portray cultures different from my own, searching for those stories and that beauty that transcends borders.

The women of Arab culture inspire me to portray not only because of the aesthetic beauty of their costumes and the glamour of Raqs Sharqi (belly dance), but because of what they represent.

For me, there's a visual richness to culture. From the patterns of telli (embroidery) to the accessories and dramatic makeup, everything has a purpose. In my illustrations, I seek to exaggerate that majesty, using vibrant colors and intricate details, whether in a portrait of a Middle Eastern woman wearing an elegant hijab.

            Maroccan muslim women.

             Egyp princces vector.

I hope my art conveys a little of the fascination I feel for this incredible culture. If you enjoyed this journey through my inspirations, don't forget to follow my Instagram to see the portraits and, of course, subscribe to Proyarte 360 ​​for more articles!