ABOUT FILALI STUDIOS
Hello there, assalamu alaikum (peace be upon you). I’m Sara Filali, a Moroccan-American Muslim artist and writer. I create art and write stories that resonate with my soul by portraying elements of my culture and religion. My goal is to create artistic representation for Muslim, MENA (Middle-Eastern/North-African), and BIPOC women, as well as guide young creatives to live their most authentic and creative lifestyles.
Here’s how my art business, Filali Studios, began:
In 2016, I had no intention of starting an art business. I was a broke college kid posting pages from my sketchbook and a friend messaged me one day offering to buy something custom-made. After I finished that piece a stranger offered to buy my art as well. Then another. And another. And that was the start to an accidental side-hustle of creating art for clients. I discovered that there was a demand for art that authentically expressed culture and spirituality, which just so happened to be my creative niche.
For the next 3 years, I was busy hustling with my art business and trying to grow my audience on social media. The journey of developing Filali Studios led to some pretty cool projects, from doing creative collaborations with photographers, shipping my art all over the country (and some international destinations as well), starting a personal art shop with stickers, pins, and prints, and displaying my pieces at some local galleries.
In 2019, I went through a lot of life changes. I got married, graduated college, moved into a new home, and started a full-time job as an English teacher. All of these events led to a decrease in art-making, and I ultimately hit an artists’ block. Then 2020 happened, and I don’t need to go into detail about how the pandemic negatively affected everyone…
In 2021, my husband and I moved across the country from Florida to Colorado. Being in a new state and surrounded by nature led to a wonderful change of pace, and I started to feel inspired again. Now I’m back to relaunching Filali Studios, but this time with a broader focus on creativity and lifestyle rather than just hijabi-art. There will be a relaunch of my online shop with some exciting new products soon, but in the meantime, enjoy perusing my online gallery and reading my blog.
Overall, this space used to be where I sold my original art prints and took commissions, but now it’s expanded to sharing moments of my life and thoughts. Here you will find content about creativity, exploring Colorado, marriage life, Moroccan culture, home decor, and a few things in between. In other words, it’s about expressing the (he)art of a daughter of diaspora. I pray you find some sort of solace in my words and feel inspired to live your own creative and authentic lifestyle.
To see my latest interview, click on the video below:
Official bio for publication purposes:
Sara Filali, a Moroccan-American artist and writer, recently debuted her book, "Hajeetek Majeetek: My Grandmother's North African Folktales," on October 1, 2023. This captivating collection translates her grandmother's legacy into a celebration of North African culture and storytelling.
Known for her dynamic art series portraying Muslim women, Sara's work challenges stereotypes and emphasizes the individuality of Muslim and MENA women. Her art serves as a compelling response to orientalism, offering nuanced perspectives.
Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara explores the scenic landscapes of Colorado with her husband, Rayan, and actively engages in community-building initiatives. Believing in the transformative power of storytelling, she envisions a world where art reshapes narratives and honors our humanity. Join her journey on Instagram @sara_filali or visit www.filalistudios.com.