Most mornings I scroll through Instagram with my coffee: liking, commenting, smiling . . . and every now again something new catches your eye.
The feed of @myriamaucitron was like a {much needed} breath of fresh Tangier air with a generous helping of Moroccan sunshine.
Happily she made the time to answer a few of our #MeetTheMaker questions!
#1 TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK
I am Myriam, a 25 year old French-Moroccan. I grew up in France but have been travelling to Morocco since I was a child, and particuarly the northern region of Morocco, as Chefchaouen and Tangier are the towns my parents are from. Drawing has been a passion since childhood. It has now been two years since I settled in Tangier. Since being in Tangier I took up drawing again and started this series of colourful illustrations inspired by Moroccan daily life.
#2 WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR DESIGNS?
The northern region of Morocco fascinates me, and it is a face of Morocco that is little known as the warm colors of Marrakech and camels are often the most common images. The north is so different … and Tangier is a unique city with African and Western influences. I like the road from Tangier to Chaouen which passes by the beach of Oued Laou, and I am fascinated by these limed houses, this light, this green and flowery nature, donkeys, crafts … I observe the mountaineers who seem out of time, I am moved by the women wearing Mendil who carry wooden loads on their backs … I take inspiration from this cool and warm Morocco that rocked my childhood and which seems to be part of my future.
#3 WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR YOU?
Every moment is exciting, making a sketch, inventing characters. I lose track of time and I love creating the little details. I feel like I am playing as I create little fruits, merchandise . . . I imagine what is happening in that house that I am drawing and I am in another world.
#4 DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE DESIGN?
I particularly like to draw rooms of houses, roof terraces, the kitchen (illustrating another interest – my culinary passion) I also like drawing the grocer and the trades. I like getting under the skin of the characters as if I am playing shop and I love the details, drawing and imagining things from everyday life.
#5 PLANS & DREAMS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD?
I created my Instagram account “myriamaucitron” to share my drawings recently, and I had the nice surprise to see that it appealed to a varied audience, of Moroccans and beyond. I also had some proposals for collaborations for Moroccan brands, I hope that this will continue and that these connections and collaborations will multiply.
#6 WHERE CAN PEOPLE BUY YOUR DESIGNS?
