art – Khadeja Ali draws

Updates!

Here’s a short update for my lovely blog visitors 🙂

It’s been a topsy-turvy month since I last wrote. The Artist’s Alley went splendidly, and so I’ve been ramping up my presence online. Here are some of the things going on:

1. I’ve been doing Inktober! Check out my twitter profile (@khadejalidraw) to see how it’s been going. Spoiler alert: really, really well! I can’t wait to share it all in one place (here) once I’ve completed it. 🙂

2. I started an Etsy store! Yeah! You can find it here! If you buy something, make sure to let me know you read my blog and I’ll throw in something just for you. *wink wink*

3. I created a ko-fi page. I have a link to it on the side, but here’s another one!

Thank you for reading and learning about me through my art. I have some more for you to discover in the coming weeks.

Before I leave, let me tell you something about the drawing I posted above! I didn’t just do it for the sake of it. I absolutely love this season; my art definitely fits in! This is an older drawing I made based on some witchy and autumn themes. It’s cool to see some of my older patterns; they exist, but in more evolved forms.

One-legged Darling

stylistic drawing of a bird-like creature with only one leg in black ink pen signed KAM 2019

Today I leave you with another monster. This beast is a little lopsided, a little unusual in shape, but that’s what makes her a beauty! She’s half a creature, in a way – or at least, that’s what I was going for.

Absolutely inspired by the simurgh tales, I’ve always wanted to be good at drawing birds or bird-like creatures (as well as animals in general). I’m not interested in ‘good’ as in ‘realistic,’ but ‘good’ as in ‘I’m proud of this.’ This is one step towards that goal.

I am thrilled to say that I also see a little of Shel Silverstein’s influence in this drawing, although it was purely subconscious during its creation. ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ influenced my sense of humour for life! It’s great, and also intriguing, to see how the things you love leak into your artwork.

Resilient Hero

Video games. I play them a lot. I’m reluctantly close to the end of Spider-Man and I’m already thinking about what I’m going to play next.

Something that comes up over and over in video games, often very tediously, is the story of the hero. I get it for the most part, even if this narrative and character can seem repetitive in game after game.

No matter what I say though, I can’t deny how drawn (full pun intended) I am to the hero and their journey, just like everyone else.

So here’s my hero:

black pen drawing of abstract shapes filled in with patterns that come together to depict a hero character balancing on a platform, surrounded by intimidating shapes that surround the hero. — Obviously, platformers are on my mind

Sexless, abstract, colourless. Yep, that’s my hero!

I specifically thought about games like Ninja Gaiden (FULL DISCLOSURE: never played it, only watched) and Risk of Rain (played the ever-loving crap out of it) where you are stuck in between all these enemies and obstacles, and you die over and over trying to get past them.

For this drawing, I chose not to have a clear path for the hero to traverse, which is common in the type of game I’m thinking of. Instead, we see a paused image of them defending themselves stoically against all kinds of nameless terrors.

We all have heroic qualities that we are drawn to, and mine is resilience. That’s what I tried to get across. The hero is reaching out between what is thrown at them to show that they recognise an opening – and they won’t be surrounded by all this crap for much longer.

It might be one of my more empowering works!

Cosmic portrait

abstract art depicting a face with two eyes, nose, mouth, neck and chest made up of different geometric shapes, patterns, and miniature drawings of space, planets, the Earth, stars, moons, waves, and threads.

I gave myself a challenge to draw something based on the word “universe” and as I drew, I came up with the shapes that made up this face. The universe as a face isn’t something I’ve thought of before, but since seeing the universe in someone’s face is a romantic notion (and I’m a sucka for that), I went with it. And I’m happy with how it came out!

I don’t like overly explaining my imagery. However, I feel comfortable saying that a lot of what makes up this face are small portrayals of the universe from the Earth, through the atmosphere, all the way to space.

Something I enjoyed doing was hiding little “surprises” here and there; little drawings within drawings. Every time I found a place for one, I went for it. There’s something special about knowing that people out there will find them, you know?

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one, I was really excited for a chance to share it!

Cave altar

As those of you who have checked out my other posts (thank you!) notice, I’ve been drawing more places. It comes so easily! This work started as nothing but a pile of flat squares and turned into a peacefully inviting place very organically. This truly ended up being a version of a place where I would feel comfortable and at peace.

It’s somewhat wild, but still protected. Not dark, with a hint at candlelight (which I consider to be very warm light). Remnants of others who came before me. A little creature to keep me company…

However, this peaceful solitude isn’t all I’m about. “Peace” is personal, and complicated. When I’m searching for peace, I’m not always looking for the same thing for every situation. Sometimes I want silence and being alone, but at other times peace is found while cuddling in front of a TV, or listening to some dope music…

When I create art, I’m showing facets of myself. I’m sure I’ve said that before in one of my other posts, or something like it. This drawing is a perfect example of a part of me.

Sun Emperor

abstract pencil drawing that shows cloud-like figure with abstract crown, laying with the sun as a backdrop

So I made this pencil drawing a while ago, and I don’t exactly remember my thought process. What I do remember is contemplating, at some point before this was made, how many historical leaders and deities are associated with the Sun. It’s a perfect symbol for power and greatness, so no surprise – but I think the fact that this association has remained through literal millennium is pretty cool.

As I drew this Emperor, I kept them non corporeal, with limited shape and form, to represent how the sun is a spherical shape even as it is constantly undulating. I also remember thinking I wanted the figure to be read as either male or female, leaving it to the viewer.

I’d work on more creatures of the Sun in the future if it continues to inspire me. It’s certainly an interesting theme!