1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Maleena. A visual artist. I do acrylic painting and linework art. I founded InkedbyHope in 2018; a business offering temporary body art services for weddings and other occasions using natural inks made from Henna leaves & Jagua fruits.
2) How have your life experiences influenced your aesthetic style?
I am a thalassophile so I love my colours to be as vibrant as the coral reefs, as unique as the sea creatures and as mysterious as the deep blue sea.
3) What did you have to develop, try or learn to create your works?
I like to have a rough sketch of an idea before painting but I rarely plan for the actual colours to use. I like to decide as I go and let intuitions be my guide. Working with acrylics spare me the worries of making painting mistakes, taking fears out of the equation and just let the art flow!
For linework art I love to use black marker pen on paper. I also draw on iPad with Procreate app. Eventually, my linework art evolved into a henna business.
I started making my own inks and draw on human canvases. I learned the chemistry of making great-staining products. I learned how henna stains the skin and on which part of the body it stains the darkest. YAY TO ART AND SCIENCE!
I want to make it my mission to spread the love for real and natural henna. Not only it is safe for skin, it is also wudhu-friendly! #halaltattoo
4) Describe your dream project?
I want to travel the world, see the oceans and get drowned with inspirations. I want to empower women through Henna Art and educate people on Natural Henna. I also want to venture into Islamic Arts and Calligraphy. And last but not least.. Ceramics!
5) What advice would you give to your younger self?
Never stop seeing the world through the eyes of a child. Keep seeking. Keep exploring. Keep learning. Keep creating. Do everything for the sake of Allah
