Introducing illustrator Anaëlle Myriam Chaaib

Anaëlle Myriam Chaaib is a French Moroccan artist and illustrator who, having grown up in France, now bases herself in Tangier in Northern Morocco. Her bright illustrative art is full of the joy and sunshine of the region, while documenting details of daily rituals and colourful corners.

Here, we chat with her about art, Morocco and exciting projects.

Can you tell us your backstory and how you got into the art world?

I am French Moroccan, I grew up in the countryside in the North of France where I was always drawing, creating with my hands and cooking. Although I grew up in France I have spent time in Morocco since I was a child, particularly the northern region of Morocco, as Chefchaouen and Tangier are the towns my parents are from. Since I was a child my dream has been to open a pastry shop but art has always been present in my life in some creative form or another.

Even when focussing on my business studies or concentrating on my pastry degree, I have always liked to draw, but it was only since I moved to North Morocco 3 years ago,  where part of my family is from, that I think I found my style and I really did it in a more meaningful way as I explored the beauty of life in northern Morocco.

Tell us a little about your technique and materials.

I use acrylic and gouache on paper and canvas, animation and collage. I love the tiny details, colourful compositions, I imagine stories or fairytales. Food is also a big inspiration and I love creating the details. I feel like I am playing as I create little household items, fruit, merchandise… I imagine what is happening in that house, with those people that I am drawing, the meal they are preparing – and I am in another world.

What influences your work?

The spontaneity and colours of northern Morocco, travels, food, naive art, figurative and illustration art, advertising, miniatures and children’s games are all themes running though my work.  This particular region of Morocco fascinates me as it is a face of Morocco that is little known  –  everyone thinks of the warm colours of Marrakech and camels, but the north is so different  – and Tangier  is a unique city with African and Western influences.

I like the road from Tangier to Chaouen which passes by the beach of Oued Laou, and I am fascinated by the limed houses, the light, the nature, donkeys, crafts … I observe the people of this region who seem from another time, I am moved by the women wearing traditional woven Mendil who carry wooden loads on their backs … I take inspiration from this cool and warm Morocco that rocked my childhood and which seems to be part of my future.

Are there any exhibitions or events you are planning? 

I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity for my first exhibition which was showing at Slaoui Museum in Casablanca earlier this year. I also hope that 2023 will see my dream project become a reality – my sister and I are planning to open “Maison Citron” – a pastry shop and salon de Thé in Marshan district of Tangier. And another beautiful collaboration is coming up this year that I can’t wait to share…

What is the best advice you received as an artist?

It’s not really advice but encouragement – encouragement from people that inspired me  as well as connecting with people that enjoy my painting. I think that positivity and support from those around you is the most powerful thing to encourage you continue painting and creating.