Thuraya, please introduce yourself.

I’m Thuraya Lynn, I’m 23 years young. I love spirals and lines, jazz culture and indie rock, I’m an undiscovered dream reader.

I’m currently a senior at Kuwait University (Literature major). It’s only been a year and half since I’ve seriously considered reforming my hobby into a career.

Childhood flashes.

Got a love hate relationship towards school.

Kids used to bully me around, they’d lock me in bathroom, make fun of how Asian I looked, the way I spoke broken Arabic. I spent a lot of my childhood and teenage years being alone. It wasn’t bad, if anything- I enjoyed being all by myself.

I was the type of kid who’d room outside the house and explore, I loved finding insects under rocks, trimming leaves into little people, making leaf-towns.

I was either outside the backyard, or simply minding my own business inside my room.

What inspired you to tap into who you are now?

I’ve been doing this since I was six. It was a natural transission- like growing a limp. I still remember the urge to draw everything on everything and for no apparent reason. The rush excited me, and I was always curious about how lines develop on paper. The realistic images gets cannibalised on paper, it’s pretty gruesome what a sketch can do to your face.

I took it seriously upon myself to improve my abilities when I was 16, all because of a cereal box cover. Remember those vampire-themed boxes, with the bat marshmellows in it? Mmm, I loved those~ The cover inspired me to make my own mini comic about a girl and her adventures in some monsterous land, it wasn’t original. But, it was a start.

What differs you from the rest of the competition out there?

I’ve got no competition to run when it’s a personal need. I’m bleeding my hands and killing brain cells- not to be the best, it’s just for me. Drawing has always been my antidote for self-discovery.

I have plenty of respect for creative folks who do it for the mere thrill of it, the humbling feeling that gets to you when you’re done with something. All pencil smudges on your fingers, paint all over your pajamas. Good stuff.

Trying to be the best against a million heads is exhausting and time-wasting.

What were the difficulties you faced and how did you overcome them?

We don’t have enough art support and understanding in Kuwait.

Especially when it comes to experimental art. My work isn’t mainstream, it’s heavily infleunced by my childhood exposure to Japanese art. To many here, it’s just “anime”.

The limited perception and comparison of my works to anime is what really strikes an angry-cord inside.

If it ain’t vieled, woman, realistic- it ain’t artsy enough.

Support system.

I wonder.

I suppose, my family thinks I’m wasting my time on this. It’s amazing how much they see it as a “phase” I’m going through.

As for my friends- bless them, they are very generous in their feedbacks. They’ve been absolutely awesometacular.

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

In my own apartment in midtown Tokyo, staring at people hanging their laundry every saturday.

I’d be a regular at a warm coffee shop and co-own a jazz bar- still, minding my own business.

I’m sure I’ll be doing this, drawing and drawing to my hearts content.

I’m not sure if I want to get a cat or dog, I haven’t decided yet.

Throw something for p0ach readers !

I’m horrible at giving advice.

Work on your mind. Draw dots, close your eyes often. Gently approach people. Brush your teeth. Believe in yourself.

See?