How I combined business with schooling to excel in Arabic calligraphy – Amina

Amina Nasir Abdullahi is the CEO of “Calligraphy by Anaya” and also a graduate of medical imaging technology from the School of Health Technology, Kano. In this interview, the 20-year-old shares her story of discovering her love for calligraphy and how she balanced it with her studies. How did you get interested in calligraphy? I […]

Amina Nasir Abdullahi is the CEO of “Calligraphy by Anaya” and also a graduate of medical imaging technology from the School of Health Technology, Kano. In this interview, the 20-year-old shares her story of discovering her love for calligraphy and how she balanced it with her studies.

How did you get interested in calligraphy?

I started calligraphy as a hobby and never thought that it would turn into a career. I was bored after completing secondary school, before gaining admission into tertiary school so I decided to start making some Arabic writings in a rough book. My first inspiration to make meaningful and worth-selling Arabic calligraphy was when my aunt bought frames and kept them in our house. I kept practising until I got to where I am now.

So, I have always loved writing and drawing since I was a kid. In fact I used to copy the letters and words from books and magazines and try to re-write them and make them more beautiful. I also liked to decorate my notebooks and cards with different fonts and styles.

When I was in secondary school, I saw some videos on YouTube about calligraphy and how to write in different languages and scripts. I was fascinated by how elegant and artistic they looked. I decided to learn more about it and practice it myself. I bought some pens, brushes, and paper and started experimenting with different techniques and styles.

I also watched more tutorials and followed some calligraphy artists online. I fell in love with calligraphy and it has continued to remain my hobby and passion.

When did you start your calligraphy business and how did your family support you?

I started my calligraphy business in October 2020, before I gained admission into college. My family and friends were very supportive and encouraging of me. They helped me to promote my work and to find more customers.

They also gave me feedback and suggestions on how to improve my skills and products. In fact, they were very proud of me and happy for my creativity. They understood that calligraphy was not just a source of income but a hobby for me, and satisfaction. So they have always respected my decision and my passion.

How do you balance your studies with your business?

It is not easy, but I try to manage my time very well. I have a schedule that I follow every day. I dedicate some hours to my classes, assignments and exams. I also allocate some time for my calligraphy work, depending on the number and urgency of the orders I have. But I usually work on them at night or during the weekends.

Similarly, I make sure that I have some time for myself, of course to relax, have fun, and do other things that I enjoy.

What are the challenges you face as a calligraphy artist and medical student?

The biggest of the challenges I faced were lack of enough materials and how to cope between my studies and passion, and how our people (mutanen arewa) don’t know the worth of art. 

Some people do not appreciate or value my work. They think that calligraphy is easy and anyone can do it. They try to bargain or ask for discounts or freebies. They do not understand the amount of time, effort and creativity that goes into each piece.

How did you overcome these challenges and what motivated you to keep on going?

To be honest, I overcame these challenges by being confident and positive. I did not let the negative comments or opinions affect me or discourage me. I always focus on the positive feedback and the appreciation that I receive from my customers and my peers.

I also remind myself of why I chose calligraphy and medical imaging technology in the first place. I chose them because I love them and because they make me happy and fulfilled. I also chose them because I want to make a difference and an impact in the world with my work. I have always been motivated by my passion, my vision, and my goals. And I was equally motivated by the support and encouragement that I got from my family, my friends, and my mentors.

What are your future plans and goals?

My future plans and goals are to become a certified and competent medical scientist. I also want to continue and grow my calligraphy business and reach more customers and markets. I want to create more products and services that are unique and appealing.

I also want to learn more skills and techniques in calligraphy and other forms of art. And I want to inspire and teach others who are interested in calligraphy and art because I really want to make a positive impact and difference in the world with my work.

Usman Bello Balarabe