Meet Weriem | Illustrations & Costume Design

We had the good fortune of connecting with Weriem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Weriem, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I like to remind myself “better done than perfect”! I’m a stubborn perfectionist and if I were only listening to my gut I’d rather go for “everything or nothing”. Sometimes this helps me to get things done rather than having a mind block because it’s not as good as I imagined it. In the same vein, a fellow artist once told me that the best versions of our projects are always going to be in our heads anyway. This also helps me deal with unattainable standards!

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’d say that what set me apart from other artists is that I lived on three different continents so I’m probably influenced by this without realizing it clearly myself (it seems more visible in someone else’s eyes). I also have a science background: I’m born into a family of engineers and I have a Ph.D. in biology. I don’t know if that influenced me, but I enjoy highly detailed illustrations. For instance, I can’t draw a costume rendering without drawing the hands, with fingers and nails, although it’s not necessary in this context. Being rather methodic and organized helped me in the costume design world where creativity is not the only important skill to have. It was not easy to switch from science to art but I was extremely motivated, hard working and probably an incurable dreamer. An important lesson that I’ve learned quite recently is that – although I always considered myself a social creature – I realized that, when it comes to work, I prefer being on my own, or at least not dependent on other people to progress on a project. In the past two years, with the creation of our online music school, I stepped into the small business world. Through this experience, I’ve learned that it’s not because I can do it that I should do it (hello burn out!), and that delegating is key. I learned also that not being creative several days in a row makes me miserable (while I often caught myself smiling when I’m drawing!). Being an illustrator was the first job I said I wanted to do when I was a kid. I remember my 4 year-old-self drawing and asking my dad to cut around my drawing (I couldn’t use scissors yet) so I could sell them! I’m grateful for being able to realize my childhood dream. I especially love drawing in black and white and I’m inspired by the Art Nouveau and Art Deco aesthetic.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Chicago and there is so much to do! I’ll focus only on my ultimate favorite spots. I’d begin by the Art Institute. It’s so big that we could go twice! At the very least, I’d make sure they see the Thorne Miniature Rooms and the incredible collection of impressionist paintings. If open, I’d suggest a coffee at the Palmer House hotel lobby (where Oscar Wilde, Sarah Bernhardt and many others stopped by) and a visit at the Studebaker Theater to use the manually-operated elevators, see the Art Nouveau murals and pop into some artists’ shops. Later, we’ll have a cocktail at Cindy’s, with the view of the Lake Michigan, Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate. The day after, we’d take a walking tour with the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and finish our day looking at the sunset from the Hancock Tower lounge. On another day, we’ll take a boat for a tour on the river and lake, to see the skyline and downtown from a different perspective. We’d have dinner at some point on Devon Avenue for Indian food and I’d bring them to my favorite thrift store that used to be an old theater (Brown Elephant in Andersonville). If we’re lucky, we’d be able to visit a few open artist studios in Ravenswood. In the same area, we’d probably go swinging at the Green Mill (Al Capone’s headquarters in Uptown). The next day, we’d drive south-west on Lake Shore drive to go look at the murals in Pilsen, stop by the giant fabric store on 21st street and eat the most delicious tres leches at Kristoffer’s. We might go further South and visit one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses in Hyde Park. Another day could also be dedicated to the architect’s studio and houses in Oak park, where we’d also visit Hemingway’s early childhood house (a Victorian house, in front of the Hemingway Museum). One morning, we’d have a continental breakfast at Kibbitznest (café-library), a swim in the lake and a picnic in Lincoln Park. We’d visit Wicker Park to see what’s new at Myopic books (a one of a kind tri-level used-book store), and probably stop to eat at Taxim, and have a drink on the terrace of the Robey Hotel (Art Deco building). If it were the summer, we would end the day at a concert in Grant Park or alternatively go to a “Movie in the Park.” If it’s the winter, call me when hibernation ends 😉

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There would be a lot of people to talk about! Mentors, sponsors, friends, colleagues, family members, etc. As the list can be very long, I’d like to dedicate my shootout to the closest person to me, another artist, Brandon Acker, who also happens to be my husband! We worked in the same niche (baroque operas, he as a musician and I as a costume designer), we founded an online music school together (Arpeggiato.com) and we work everyday in the same apartment (we’re trying not to turn lunches into work meetings!). Recently, he showed again that he’s my number one cheerleader when it comes to helping me develop a new branch in my career (I’m now focusing on illustrations more than ever!).

Website: http://weriem.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/weriem

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuiKVlNy_OiYcFGKjTmPjrA

Other: https://etsy.com/shop/weriem

Image Credits
Portrait by Will Nunally.