At the early age of five, Mohammed Al Emadi knew he would be an artist. He recalls how his passion for drawing caused him to clean every single table in his classroom because he wanted to show his artwork to his classmates by drawing on their tables.
That was in 2005. Fast forward to 2016, Mohammed developed an interest in digital art. With a mouse that helped him draw on a computer, he was able to apply his skills while studying civil engineering at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, and in his current work as a junior architect.
Last month (November 2021), he made his first public appearance showcasing his artwork during the 'Geekdom' event. The ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team got in touch with the 21-year-old Qatari to get to know a little bit about him and his art. Let’s find out!
Mohammed: My name is Mohammed Al Emadi, I’m 21 years old with an engineering degree and currently training to be an architect. Being an artist and an engineer opened a door to creativity that combines artistic thinking with technical skills. This skill helped me design a footbridge for a university project.
For me, art is a way to express myself, an expression of my inner soul. Art can be emotions, ideas, letters, or even a story. I can call myself a digital artist.
Mohammed: Digital art is a huge world with various artists — some can be character designers, others can be comic creators, portrait creators, graphic designers, and even animators. I usually do digital painting or digital portraits, character designing and planning, and I also do graphic designs for branding or accounts identities.
I'm into digital art for about five years now, and I've been using Illustrator for brands and social media accounts for two years.
Mohammed: When I was about 17 years old, my first attempt was on an Autodesk sketchbook, and started painting on a PC using a mouse. And then I got an iPad with an Apple Pencil and started practicing.
Also, I would sketch a concept artwork on the iPad and then try to paint it on a canvas based on that sketch. There are no boundaries to digital art, and it's one of the best tools to unleash creativity.
Mohammed: I sell designs for social media accounts, and also for print materials like posters. In the social media business, the prices depend on the time and the client's requirements, while in the merchandise business the prices are standard.
Mohammed: My first involvement as an artist in public was at the Geekdom event in November 2021. It was a fulfilling experience as I was able to introduce my artwork, particularly 'Busnida'.
Who is Busnida? He is my artwork transformed into a figurine. There are people who want to have their own Busnida miniature that they display in their homes and offices.
I created Busnida as a character reflecting a Qatari citizen. He always strives to support his country and seeks excellence in various fields, while following Islamic empathy and the appropriate cultural behaviour. One of the objectives of this project is to inspire people, particularly the youth to preserve the Qatari identity. That's how I want people to see Busnida, and for them to be like Busnida.
Mohammed: I appreciate all of you supporting my artwork. Even if it's just on Instagram, a big thank you to everyone who appreciates my art. Keep dreaming everyone...always!
Cover image credit: Mohammed Al Emadi
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