Nisma Rafiq Saudi Gazette There are several ways to express inner thoughts and feelings. Some people prefer written words over spoken, whereas others choose music to put their message across. Many artists opt for creative ways to convey themselves through visual expressions. Visual expressions could include sketching, painting or drawing cartoons. Yes, Cartoons! Samah Hashim Hamza Kamil is a Jeddah-based artist and a student of Masters in King Abdul Aziz University. She is keenly interested in drawing cartoons or anime, and is doing her research study on Manga Art. What is Manga Art? Manga Art refers to a style of cartoons originating in Japan and the artist who draws Manga Art is known as Mangaka. They are published in magazine or comic books giving complete story with beginning, middle and the end. They could be a single comic strip or several pages long. “I draw in Manga style,” Samah Kamil talked about her interest. “I have extreme passion for Manga since I was a teenager, and I was and still am obsessed with it. I have made many painting and drawing in Manga art, while giving it my own artistic touch and style.” Born and raised in Jeddah, Samah Kamil had a very normal childhood. “My mother was an art teacher, and she used to give us art classes every weekend when we were kids. I loved it so much; I think I got my passion of art from her.” After completing her bachelor's degree in Islamic Art, she started her research on Manga art. “Islamic art was the only department of art in KAU, we studied everything about art on it, not only Islamic art- starting from the history of art, the old schools of art, basic of drawing perspective, coloring and shading, using another materials like fabric, pottery, wood and recycling materials,” she told Saudi Gazette. Samah Kamil added: “During the drawing and painting classes, I kept drawing and presented the project in Manga style; I couldn't resist adding my own Manga touches.” Samah Kamil's Manga Art was inspired by Pokemon Cartoon Series. “It was in late 2000 when Pokemon was aired on TV. I really loved it. I started to record the episodes only to check the character's poses and copy it later in my drawings.” Samah Kamil was good at what she did and received appreciation at the early age. “While doing bachelors, I had orders to draw Manga style stories for kids from publishers and different schools, and I used to make it for them.” She plans to introduce an Arabic touch to Manga art. “I like to make my Manga with Arab and Saudi characters and style. My painting ‘Limited Edition 3' in Alfuruseya Park Hayat was one of many examples which was also exhibited in Jeddah Art Week 2014,” she said. “I have also taken part in MEFCC (Middle East Film and Comic con Dubai) from April 3-5 recently. It's a big platform for all the geeks and nerds like me who love Manga, comics, movies and video games. I had my own table and space there to share and sell my artworks.” Samah Kamil has also participated in several other competitions of Manga art and cartoons, and has won 6th position at the Design Cartoon Characters' competition in Red Sea Mall, Jeddah 2012. She is yet to be a full time artist as she is currently busy with her master research. “But if there's an exhibition or an art competition I take time out for it and work hard on it,” she said enthusiastically. Samah is not only a Mangaka, but also has interests in others forms of art. “I draw portrait and pop art using mixed media. And when I have free time; I draw for myself and make accessories from recycled materials. The young artist is very optimistic about her future. “I want to be a professional Mangaka while drawing Arabic Manga stories for all ages, especially for adults,” she said, “And definitely I will not forget my artistic side, you will see more of my paintings in Manga style, and maybe one day I will arrange my own solo exhibition.”
