Sabrina Albusaidi and Sheikha Sakina have come together to create illustrations of women from across the world depicted in a non traditional way. Since the project begun, difficulties came through and we decided to alter our path with this project while still wanting to portray the amazing work to the world.

“When Sheikha came to me with this project I was at a point in my life where so much change was happening. I had just moved to the US, I had just gotten married, it was our first time living together. I was coming from “home”, a place that is both loving and painful to be in.

I never learnt how to deal with big feelings. I was completely dissociated from having to squish my wings back into a box that other people could understand, and experience. I didn’t know who I was anymore. My story is not unique. We have all in one way or another been taught to dim our lights and silence our voices.

These illustrations have guided me towards myself. The process of making them was a test in speaking my truth. Which required listening to intuition. Which required trusting that intuition.

I couldn’t have asked for a better person to be working on this with, Sheikha pushed the boundaries of what I know and challenged what I believe. Our conversations on what it means to be a woman, sharing our experiences with each other and being held and seen by one another, has been so healing. Each one of these images encapsulates a moment, a lesson, an understanding that we shared.

These illustrations offered a way to look back and reflect as I navigate the in-between, not quite a maiden anymore and not quite a mother yet either. Perhaps in preparation for motherhood? I’ve come to understand that in order to birth a world that is loving, nurturing, and expansive, I had to reflect on the lessons I learned and as well as those I have yet to learn. By embracing the cyclical nature of life, my own and the natural world. I gained the ability to recognize when familiar foes bring their heads round the corner again, and an awareness of the places in which change has occurred and where it has not.

The creative process is intimate, it requires vulnerability, courage, humility, and curiosity but most of all presence. From all parties involved. No one talks about what was required of the caterpillar, to turn into a butterfly. The cocoon is not a luxury hammock, no.
It is the arena. It is the mirror. It is the place in which you dismantle everything that your ego holds dear, and you trust that come spring a newness will exist. One that is new yet somehow familiar.

I hope these illustrations remind you of the magic you carry within.
I hope they remind you that your connection to your heart is your most valuable one.
I hope they remind you that the journey is long and winding and that you are strong and capable.

With love,
Sabrina”