portrait . 2025 |
i've had this blog since 2010, and have been actively updating it ever since. i'm really proud of keeping it going for this long. but maybe it's also time to reintroduce myself on here, especially to any new followers who might've stumbled onto this page in recent years. here we go!
- hello! i'm khalid mezaina, and artist from the united arab emirates (i'm also half-egyptian), based in dubai.
- i'm an illustrator, and also make textile works when the opportunity arises.
- i'm an alum of the rhode island school of design, the american university of sharjah, and saint mary's catholic high school dubai!
- i've been a freelancer for over ten years. prior to that, i worked in art institutions like the sharjah art foundation and tashkeel as a graphic designer and projects coordinator.
- i've worked on some really cool projects through the years, and really proud of my portfolio so far. please have a look through the blog to see examples. it's great to be able to do what i love as a job. admittedly, it's probably the only thing i'm good at!
- i have a love/hate relationship with the industry i'm in.
- i have a love/(mostly) hate relationship with human beings!
- my biggest influences have been comic books and music videos. i also think i acquired a lot of my interests and tastes growing up around my three older sisters.
- books, coffee and music are probably the three things i can't live without.
- i have an extensive collection of t-shirts, mostly themed around music and pop queens!
- i'm the original kylieji – the kylie minogue fandom is very real!
- three all-time favourite tv shows: absolutely fabulous, buffy the vampire slayer and gargoyles.
- since 2020, i've been a lover of cats.
- just like everyone, i make mistakes and come with flaws and all. it's a work in progress, probably best resolved away from social media and my screen.
- london is always a good idea – it's my favourite city to visit.
- i'm happiest on the dance floor, under the disco ball, losing myself to some good music...