Hi guys! It's been more than a month since my last blog post - eeek, how time flies! If you've been following me on Instagram then you'll know that I have been away taking part in this year's Middle East Film and Comic Con! Honestly, Dubai is beginning to feel like a 3rd home to me now with how comfortable I feel there every time I visit. So I was super, super grateful that I was able to come back for this year's Comic Con to exhibit and sell my work.
I arrived in Dubai on the 31st of March - a week before Comic Con, which gave me time to just chill and explore bits of the city that I didn't get to see in previous years. My fourth year now and you'd think that I've done the desert safari but nope! I have yet to do any sand boarding or dune bashing or see silhouettes of a caravan of camels in the desert against a sunset sky!! *facepalm* Next time I come back, someone please take me!
Back to topic, MEFCC was held on the 6th-8th April and this being my 3rd time exhibiting, I felt I was more prepared and at ease. My favourite thing about MEFCC in particular is seeing everyone, no matter where you're from or what you look like, come together to enjoy the things we all have in common - a love for film, comics, games and art! It's an inspiring atmosphere!
Through MEFCC I have also made a bunch of new friends - students, professionals and even those from the industry! I am SO grateful for each and everyone of you who have given me and my work a lot of love and support. I feel incredibly lucky and humbled to be able to do what I love as a career.
This year, to give back to those who have stood by me from the very beginning and as a way of saying thank you, I decided to raise money with a selection of my art for our Syrian brothers and sisters who are struggling without even the necessity to survive and build better lives. Because everybody deserves a chance!
By the end of the con we raised an amazing 650AED + 50Riyal (£150) which I donated to Hand in Hand for Syria. I was so touched that a number of you donated even without taking anything from the box!
Overall, a very fun and productive vacation. Every year, I leave feeling more confident of my work and ability and this is all thanks to those who took their time to talk to me! You guys keep me motivated - thank you for helping me get this far!!