While Sheikha Al Habshi is still quite young, she is an already prolific artist and illustrator. She started with a fashion collection and stumbled onto illustration in 2018 and hasn’t looked back since. The outspoken feminist’s unmistakeable style is bold, colorful and very relatable.

For her, art is a source of comfort and connection. She graduated this year after studying Interior Architecture because she wanted a creatively fulfilling degree. And while she still loves it, she wonders if she should have considered Visual Communications instead.

Yet, Sheikha uses her medium and message to communicate the things she feels strongly about. Her illustrations might look happy and bright but there are always powerful underlying themes behind them.

“Well I guess in a way it was just filling a space that I felt didn’t exist previously, I felt like the Arab girl experience was hidden out of mainstream media and a huge part of that experience centers around identity. I started out on this journey slowly discussing issues that affected me personally such as talking about the way I felt about my body and my relationships. This opened up a forum for other people to talk about their issues too.” Sheikha told us.

Her unique style is instantly recognizable, and she believes that it was just a natural progression of her work. She keeps a log of color palettes and combinations that work well together that she sees in her everyday life and the environment around her. She believes that constant practice and a genuine desire to constantly do better pushes her art to evolve and improve.

As horrible as the pandemic has been, it gave her the break she really needed to level up her art work and finally launch her online shop, YouTube channel and newsletter.

“There were a few prominent changes with my work, firstly with technique. I think due to the lack of time I had with university, I never gave myself the chance to really dedicate to art but this extra time at home has allowed me to really focus on different illustration techniques and raising the quality of work. Secondly, I’ve been given the chance to really discover what I want my key messages to be throughout the work that I post online which is surrounding feminism, self care and inclusivity,” Sheikha recounts her lock down experience.

Leveling up allowed her to open an art shop, which stocks stickers and print t-shirts to other various digital products that feature her designs. Quarantine was a blessing in-disguise for her, because she used the time working and improving her skills to a point where she felt ready to share it with the world as marketable products.

She is quite picky about the things she adds there, “Well, since my art centers around feminism, mental health and well me, I try to create art around those topics and to constantly bring it back to that sense of comfort and security that I want to create through my art,” she explains.

She already has plans to add more handmade products, like clay pins in her next shop update in October. And if you are a stationery and tote bag collector you are in luck because she will be launching tote bags, postcards and much more stationery products.

Sheikha is trying to start a conversation using her art, and her newsletter started off with her wanting to create a more personal connection with the people that have been following her artwork on instagram. It is about community, “I follow a lot of creatives and getting to know them as creatives on a more personal level allows me to appreciate their work even more.”

The last few months offered Sheikha a completely new opportunity, a physical exhibition. Until then, her work was mostly online and she felt liberated to be able to be seen through her art.

“It was also very affirming to my abilities as an artist, a lot of the time it’s hard to call yourself an artist when you’re not actively showing your work in physical spaces, so being able to do that and being funded by an organization really helped me develop my skills further. I learnt to take chances and trust your art; that the answer will always be “no” if you never take the opportunities that you want!” says Sheikha, describing her experience.

She doesn’t have a five-year plan but she does know that she wants to grow her shop and to work with more clients who align with her values and beliefs. To aspiring artists she says “Never give up even if you feel like your work sucks, I know that sounds so cliche but it’s true. There’s a reason that you’re drawn into the arts, TRUST THAT! I think as women we’re constantly made to doubt ourselves and our views, but just trust yourself and your artistic taste and your skills will follow!”

TRUTH OR DARE

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Helpful.

How would you describe your mother in one word?

Kind.

What is the most ridiculous question you’ve ever been asked?

I’ve been asked before where I got my art from whilst they saw me working on it.

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?

I’m a very organized person so i don’t usually ever do anything spontaneously (that makes me sound kind of tragic)

What is your theme song?

“Young hearts run free” by Candi Straton.

What word in the English or Arabic language do you wish you had invented?

Nova Scotia, it’s a province in Canada but I love the way it sounds

Where would you like to live?

Paris, as cheesy as that is.

What is your dream retirement location?

Anywhere in the countryside.

What is the first famous quote that comes to your mind?

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid – Audre Lorde.

Which animal best describes your perfect partner, be it in business, or in life?

A butterfly.

Do you miss anything from your childhood and if so, what is it?

We used to go to the chalet every weekend with my whole family when I was younger, that sense of closeness is what I miss.

If you could change your name, what would you change it?

I’d never want to change my name.

How would you describe your handshake, in one word?

Not as firm as it should be.

What is the toughest part of your character?

The toughest part of my character would be my unwillingness to give up on something I genuinely believe in.

Who is your favorite historical figure?

Maya Angelou.

What in the world do you least desire?

Doing any form of math.

What do you think is lacking in the world, which [if there were more of it] would make the world a better place?

Our lack of empathy and understanding to what other people are going through.

Why do you think most people who do, like you?

I think my constant need to be open and transparent about who I am and what I’m thinking.

Finish this sentence: “Happiness is…”

a clear blue sky.

Visit Sheikha’s website coffeeandcastoffs.com to see her art and subscribe to her newsletter and follow her on Instagram @coffeeandcastoffs for a sneak peek and behind the scenes look into her process.