About Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Middle Eastern food illustrations, illustrated kitchen utensils and tools, illustrated North African jewellery and pottery, illustrated Mediterranean food culture
About The Artist - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Hand lettering, botanical emblem illustration, pen and ink illustration, watercolour and ink illustration

About the artist & illustrator

My name is Ruba Saqr and I am a Jordanian food and travel artist and illustrator, who loves to explore the folk, tribal and native cultures of the Mediterranean region – and beyond. I am also a multidisciplinary creative who has worn multiple hats, including: Opinion writer and columnist, editor, reporter, PR director and singer-songwriter.

Illustrated Food Ingredients - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Italian Lemons pen & ink illustration, wash & ink illustration, watercolour illustration

An infatuation with cultural illustration and art

My illustrations and paintings often delve into the lifestyle traditions and culinary cultures of the Arab, Berber and European parts of the Mediterranean region, with a special attention to Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria.

Food traditions, cultural travel, and folkloric fashion are the kinds of topics that fascinate me as an illustrator and artist.

That is why I approach art and illustration with an eye toward “documenting” the authentic dishes of the Mediterranean region, its handcrafts, traditional costumes and architectural landmarks – all through the lens of identity and belonging.

My inclination to chronicle the different facets of the Levantine and Mediterranean cultures – through illustration and art – comes from having worked as a reporter, opinion writer, and editor in a previous life.

As a result, I illustrate food stories, maps, traditional jewellery, and more, with an illustration style that reflects my vision and individual taste as an artist. I also create fine art pieces in oil, acrylic and gouache on paper, depicting the Levantine and Mediterranean gastronomic heritage, food rituals, and impressive repository of craftsmanship.

In addition to my infatuation with Mediterranean cultures, I am also very interested in the arts and crafts of South Asia, especially the rich heritage of the Indian subcontinent and the enduring legacy of the Mughal empire.

Makdous jar - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Illustrated Middle Eastern pantry food, stuffed aubergines
Tunisian ceramics - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Illustrated red pot, North African ceramics illustration
Balgha Moroccan slippers - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Illustrated North African footwear

More about my cultural and artistic influences

Storytelling
Growing up, storytelling was an important part of my close relationship with my grandmother. In fact, her recollections about our Sufi ancestors and their travels across the Levant and North Africa have helped shape my world-view as a young girl.

But it was her bedtime stories – about the exquisite feasts and fantastical characters and creatures from the tales of “1001 Nights” – that fuelled my imagination and captivation with the cultural diversity of our region.

Artistic inspiration
Visiting art galleries and meeting artists, painters and sculptors from different countries and origins was a normal part of my childhood.

However, my appreciation for craftsmanship came from growing up around antique kilims, artisanal Tunisian and Moroccan ceramics, handmade Syrian glass, and Lebanese handicrafts in a house filled with art and literature.
All of these memories and details come to mind when I hold a pen to illustrate or a brush to paint.

Quick Tour

Illustration Portfolio - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Pens and pencils illustration, stationery illustration, illustration tools, pen and ink illustration, watercolour and ink illustration, Uniball Eye pen illustration, Micron ink pen illustration

Illustration Portfolio

Pen-and-ink, watercolour, gouache, alcohol markers and digital brushes are some of the materials I use to complete my illustrations. Curious about my illustration style, process and client commissions?

Art Portfolio - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Paint tube illustration, pen and ink illustration, watercolour and ink illustration

Art Portfolio

I like to celebrate the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food heritage with art pieces on both canvas and paper, using oil, acrylic, ink, watercolour and gouache.

Illustration Blog - Ruba Saqr Art & Illustration | Laptop illustration, pen and ink illustration, watercolour and ink illustration

Illustration Blog

Check out my latest personal projects, where I share my illustrations in a blog centred around storytelling, inspired by the places I’ve been to and the recipes I’ve tried.

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROJECT

Do you have an illustration project that requires a cultural mindset? Drop me a line and let’s discuss the possibilities.