Meet our VISION illustrator: Razan Alshalan
Each month, CreativeMornings has a different theme for the talks given at our local chapter events around the world. It is our tradition to work with an artist in our community to create an illustration for each monthly theme.
Our theme for October is VISION.It was chosen by our Riyadh chapter in Saudi Arabia and illustrated by Razan Alshalan.
Razan is an acrylic, watercolor, and digital artist. We asked Razan to share her story..
I’m Razan, a 26-year-old Saudi artist and the founder of Elevenly Stationery.
My artistic journey began unexpectedly during quarantine, where long hours in isolation, attending online classes from my desk, led me to embark on a passion project. With just basic supplies, messy strokes, and a Pinterest obsession, I discovered solace in every canvas. Each brushstroke allowed me to unravel my thoughts, transforming blank canvases into vibrant reflections of my imagination. Over time, I expanded into various forms of art—watercolors, acrylics, pen doodles, and digital art—-to express myself differently.
Imagine long hours lost in painting sessions, my mind wandering through a canvas labyrinth, resolving my own internal debates with each stroke. And those moments of revelation when I realized that art wasn’t just about skill, but about expression and connection. It’s about letting your heart speak louder than your doubts. This principle applies not just to painting, but to any passion—whether it’s cooking, music, writing, or anything else that sets your soul on fire.
When 2021 rolled around, I took a leap of faith, displaying my art to the world, one bookmark at a time in a small flower shop at my university. This was followed by another leap of faith—silencing my self-doubts and building Elevenly Stationery from the ground up, a stationery brand with a specific propose of chasing your passions, fueled by my art. From DIY branding to teaching myself the intricacies of entrepreneurship, I did it all.
Once hesitant to call myself a true artist, I now find my passion and purpose deeply rooted in my art.
Your passion is your power, trust it.
Listen to how to pronounce Razan’s name.
Rasan had this to share about this month’s illustration:
When we think of the word VISION, we often picture images of our future selves—an individualized projection of who we aspire to become. This artwork vividly captures the diversity of these visions, portraying characters of various ages and professions, each intimately connected to their unique aspirations. Their determined focus, symbolized by their grasp on their visions, illustrates the unwavering belief in what they can achieve.
At the heart of the illustration lies a centrally placed eye, symbolizing vision in both a literal and metaphorical sense. The eye serves as a powerful reminder of how our ambitions keep us driven and centered on our goals.
This artwork encapsulates the essence of vision: the universal yet deeply personal drive that propels each of us toward our dreams, no matter how varied they may be.
You can see more of Razan’s work on Instagram at @razanalshalan and @elevenlystationery.
Selected Works
