CYNTHIA MERHEJ

2011-12-09T12:17:00.001+02:00

Drawings for a story written by the incredible Jenny Zhang for Rookie.

It is an online magazine for teenage girls, but it's so great that I find

myself reading it pretty much everyday. You can read her story here:

http://rookiemag.com/2011/12/evolution-of-my-brother/

2011-11-30T02:12:00.001+02:00

A private commission for a fellow shoe obsessive. The shoes: Prada, Pierre Hardy, and Prada.

2011-11-27T21:04:00.001+02:00

The story for my narrative project at the RCA is shaping up, here is a sneak peak!

2011-11-23T00:29:00.001+02:00

More drawings from natural forms class. I am surprised at how much I am enjoying

drawing plants! It is very meditative, and I love getting the chance to use colors.

On another note, episode 17 of the worst taste in music is out! You can download it here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?qrdqjg32yu5zy2e

2011-11-14T16:22:00.001+02:00

Personal drawings, the second one is based on a man I saw on the metro in the morning.

Just thought I would make his day more exciting without him knowing it by secretly

transforming him into the colorful maharajah of the underground.

2011-11-06T22:52:00.000+02:00

Some sketches from my natural forms class. The room was full of plants, shells, skulls

and other organic objects. It was so relaxing to hang out there for a few hours and draw.

Nature can always find an infinite amount of ways to keep us fascinated by it.

2011-10-31T18:02:00.001+02:00

I designed another poster and a new logo for Underrated, a group of DJs who throw

some super fun parties in Beirut.

This time it is a sci-fi theme, so I asked Spock to help me out on this one.

I usually DJ with these awesome people, but unfortunately I will be in London this time.

So, if you're in Beirut, make sure to pass by for a good good night of dancing!

More details are on the facebook event:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239565146098445

2011-10-27T14:14:00.001+03:00

More sketches for my first project at the RCA. We have to research acrobats, and I found myself quite interested in acrobatic duos and co-dependent relationships.

So cats, acrobats, and dysfunctional relationships. I can't wait to come up with a story for this.

2011-10-23T13:21:00.000+03:00

We just started our first project at the Royal College which is a narrative piece. I am not sure where it is leading yet, but all I know is it will involve a cat, the circus, and an interruption!

So here are my attempts of drawing cats, I am not sure whether I should confess this but I think I am slowly converting to a cat person. I should start giving more credit to our fat cat in Beirut, Mr.Big

On another note, my bi-weekly mix the worst taste in music is back after a hiatus.

Scroll down to get the old episodes or just click here for the latest one.

I hope you enjoy it!

2011-09-29T10:55:00.000+03:00

You only live once, so come down to EM Chill next Saturday.

Same great, great line-up playing music for you to dance to.

I got the idea for the poster at 6 in the morning and then couldn't sleep until I did it. I'm pretty

happy it turned out well since most of the ideas I come up with in my sleep suddenly don't

seem so great when you are awake and actually try them out (ever happened to you?)

2011-09-25T18:30:00.001+03:00

2011-09-08T16:53:00.000+03:00

One of the illustrations for ROOKIE for an article about how to get through a bad day.

2011-09-06T09:09:00.002+03:00

Since our old bar wasn't available anymore, J and I decided to find somewhere new to play.

If you are in town and feel like dancing make sure to pass by. This time its double the dance power since we have teamed up with Nicolas and Cyril of the Underrated, so get two pairs of shoes since the first will probably wear out.

For the poster I used a photo of myself looking like a piece of furniture in the 90's. Cute?

2011-09-01T20:38:00.002+03:00

Apologies for being a terrible blogger lately. I have been pretty busy with a few projects at the moment, and all are near completion so I can finally post something new on the blog.

First off, ROOKIE, the amazing online magazine founded and curated by the fashion blogger phenomenon Tavi.

For the last few months I have been working with the Rookie team, a group of incredibly smart and talented women (and man).

So look out for my illustrations and typography all over the site, which launches September 5!

www.rookiemag.com

2011-08-04T19:34:00.002+03:00

Researching on star clusters for a new commission.

2011-08-04T12:32:00.001+03:00

Photos from my last summer and Christmas in Beirut

It has been a crazy year, and I finally am off for a much needed break. It is back to Beirut for me, to float in the salty water and make up for the all the lost vitamin D.

2011-07-17T14:34:00.003+03:00

Sketches from St.Ali

Today morning led me to St.Ali, a great coffee shop in Clerkenwell, London.

I will try to describe this place as well as I can without making it sounds like an ad. The staff were

so friendly and attentive, food was fresh, and the best part is if you want somewhere to hang out

and draw, this is your place. There is a bar in the middle where you can sip your coffee while

covertly observing the people and shiny machines, and no one will bother you.

All the baristas have great hands as well, which they have to hold still for periods of time

while making the coffee, so it is also the perfect place to practice drawing hands.

http://stali.co.uk/uk/

2011-06-22T18:10:00.009+03:00

At last, after a year of trying to figure out what HTML even stands for, I caved in and asked

my friend Zoe Regoczy to make my website I'm really glad I did.

She is a fantastic illustrator, but an even better web designer who I would recommend

in a heartbeat. She is in the LINKS section of my website so make sure to check her out!

The shiny, new site has some exciting stuff for all. Stories, drawings, commissioned works,

and links to some great illustrators and designers.

The website will be updated every half year or so, and my main body of work is available

there. As for the blog, it will be used to keep you all up-to-date about any exhibitions,

new commissions and drawings, and what I have been up to or doing. I am hoping to use

this blog now less as a portfolio and as a more personal space where I can share

photos, sketches, and anything interesting.

SO please have a look and as always don't be shy to get in touch for any questions,

comments, collaborations or just a hello.

WWW.CYNTHIAMERHEJ.COM

2011-06-17T13:36:00.002+03:00

!! DEGREE SHOW TIME !!

Check out the CSM degree show in Shoreditch before June 22. My work, as well as that
of my super-talented colleagues is all on display. Make sure to pass by

the shop on your way out for some sweet products.

Have fun with the pink box on the website

2011-06-05T00:39:00.001+03:00

2011-05-13T20:19:00.003+03:00

2011-05-09T17:40:00.000+03:00

A sneaky sketch of my friend Shin-Hye Lee , designer and undercover illustrator

You can see her work here :

http://www.shinhyelee.com/index.php?/-/

2011-04-14T19:23:00.003+03:00

Inspired by the latest issue of POP magazine

2011-03-22T11:25:00.000+02:00

2011-02-17T12:06:00.003+02:00

I will be taking part in an exhibition held by Studio Between and Zurich University of the Arts.

We will be preparing works during a one day workshop to be exhibited the next day.

The show will be at the Studio B studios :

SAT.FEB.26

#2, 30 Calvin Street

London E1 6NW

Nearest tube is Shoreditch High Street, or you can take the bus 8 or 67. Pass by if you can!

http://www.between-between.com/

2011-02-04T18:27:00.000+02:00

Photo from Silent Stories by Marilyn Stafford

2011-01-25T11:23:00.002+02:00

2011-01-13T20:52:00.000+02:00

L'etranger

2011-01-08T20:33:00.002+02:00

Illustrating Albert Camus's novel

2010-12-04T14:51:00.003+02:00

2010-11-25T11:18:00.002+02:00

2010-11-19T05:12:00.003+02:00

An image for "Love long distance" by the Gossip

2010-11-15T18:57:00.003+02:00

Organized by a friend of mine, Nahla Tabaa, this exhibition will feature some of my work

as well of other amazing artists such as Timi Hayek and Omar al Z'obi.

If you are in Amman, Jordan, check it out!

2010-11-11T11:15:00.002+02:00

is it more terrible to want something or to need it?

2010-11-03T11:15:00.002+02:00

Hello, I am working on something secret at the moment which is why

I haven't been posting anything recently.

Keep checking this space though for some new things soon!

Meanwhile, Madonna and the amazing jacket:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRfz5f6HZW0&feature=related

x

CM

2010-10-05T22:57:00.002+03:00

2010-09-23T11:30:00.002+03:00

2010-09-03T19:15:00.000+03:00

2010-08-22T23:17:00.000+03:00

2010-07-27T03:14:00.003+03:00

2010-07-04T12:29:00.000+03:00

The original sketch, and the painted version, not sure which I prefer. This man was waiting for the

metro and I loved the mix of patterns and colors in his clothes.

2010-06-23T04:27:00.002+03:00

2010-06-22T12:48:00.002+03:00

See you there!

2010-06-07T11:03:00.004+03:00

2010-06-04T02:09:00.004+03:00

2010-05-27T03:40:00.003+03:00

2010-05-23T12:40:00.006+03:00

The poster for the Illustration and Moving Image exhibition at

Central Saint Martins, London, a collaboration with Sophie Westerlind.

You can see Sophie's great work at www.sophiewesterlind.com

See you there!

2010-05-16T16:27:00.003+03:00

2010-05-06T04:29:00.004+03:00

2010-04-29T23:23:00.002+03:00

2010-04-11T16:19:00.004+03:00

2010-04-01T01:53:00.002+03:00

Brixton Belles

2010-03-25T00:57:00.004+02:00

Reportage illustrations based on the afro-carribean salons in Brixton,

which culminated into this booklet.

You can see all the pages of the booklet on my Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cynthiamerhej/

MADE IN PECKHAM

2010-03-19T13:25:00.005+02:00

Prints for the "Made in Peckham" clothing label. The images are inspired by
traditional Ghanian fabrics, and are about Olu's hair salon in Peckham.

CYN X TIMI x TUGCAN X KELLY

2010-03-10T14:22:00.008+02:00

Timi Hayek, Tugcan Dokmen, and Momo Wong, all student on the Fashion Print course
at Central Saint Martins created all the amazing clothes in these photos.

Timi, Tugcan and Kelly Huang modeled the outfits, and they did a pretty beautiful job.

It was a great shoot, a very fun day with some very talented and lovely friends!

2010-02-28T15:55:00.003+02:00

Life drawing at the Fashion Print studios,
Central Saint Martins.

2010-02-23T23:14:00.002+02:00

We had to create a quick sketch based on a photo for a workshop at college.

2010-02-18T13:20:00.006+02:00

The final story. The brief was to create a fixed point narrative,
and my story was based on the Native American myth of
TABALDAK, the creator of existence.

Drawn with bic pens and ink.

2010-02-15T02:24:00.002+02:00

From the Sartorialist.

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

2010-02-15T02:22:00.001+02:00

Character study for my latest project , TABALDAK . It is a short comic based on a Native American myth.

2010-02-10T12:34:00.001+02:00

Mirwais was stuck in my head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_7QQV4QbJ8

2010-02-01T19:34:00.001+02:00

2010-01-26T00:26:00.004+02:00

2010-01-24T03:48:00.001+02:00

2010-01-13T15:46:00.005+02:00

2010-01-12T01:32:00.002+02:00

Inspired by The Sartorialist

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com

2010-01-10T17:26:00.000+02:00

2010-01-07T22:57:00.002+02:00

2010-01-01T20:28:00.004+02:00

The time that remains by Elia Sulieman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS58zVmbKK4&feature=related

Excellent remix in the trailer by Y.A.S

2009-12-24T19:36:00.001+02:00

2009-12-19T04:21:00.001+02:00

Doodles of people in my class

2009-12-13T20:46:00.002+02:00

Sorry Helena.

From V Magazine Swimsuit Issue

and old drawing i found

2009-12-07T02:06:00.000+02:00

2009-11-29T17:43:00.005+02:00

Response to a college brief about "Hidden Histories".

My theme was male sexual issues.

The final three images were centered around a man revisiting his

Oedipal complex, and based on the theories of Jacques Lacan.

The top is image is one of the final three, and these are

the original drawn images before I chose three and colored them.

2009-11-22T20:06:00.003+02:00

Some Cuban characters for a collaboration at college with Havana Club Rum.

Listen to some Celia Cruz for the full experience.

Acrylic on paper.

2009-10-30T11:01:00.001+02:00

2009-10-27T01:25:00.001+02:00

2009-10-21T14:07:00.000+03:00

2009-10-17T23:00:00.000+03:00

2009-10-12T19:29:00.004+03:00

2009-10-09T02:45:00.002+03:00

2009-07-12T20:04:00.001+03:00

MONDANITE SERIES

2009-07-04T14:40:00.006+03:00

First sketches for a series I plan to work on based

on the Lebanese society magazine, Mondanite.

2009-06-25T01:03:00.000+03:00

2009-06-22T01:15:00.001+03:00

Unfinished drawing

2009-06-19T14:52:00.004+03:00

++++ ZINES AT SELFRIDGES ++++

We have been working on little zines at college, and our work has paid off!

You now purchase the zines created by Central Saint Martins students at

Selfridges department store in London!

The zines will be on sale from June 27 in the basement.

I will be selling a zine for "The Difference Between" and

another called "Funny-Happy Sci Fi" which features the work

of many talented fellows.

The zines will range from 3-20 pounds, pretty decent for

the amazing artwork that you will be getting in return!

Check out the link below for more information about Selfridges :

http://www.selfridges.com/

2009-06-10T01:34:00.001+03:00

NEW

2009-05-22T03:11:00.003+03:00

2009-04-28T19:43:00.001+03:00

2009-04-16T02:11:00.002+03:00

"When you ask a question, it means you are ready to face the answer" - Marite Labaki

Traumatisme

2009-04-14T04:01:00.005+03:00

The whole family seems to be very fascinated with the condition of my skin...

(please excuse the spelling mistakes in the drawing!)

Fortuneteller

2009-03-17T14:21:00.003+02:00

From the sketchbook.

2009-03-13T18:42:00.002+02:00

Goodnight dreamer

2009-02-18T17:54:00.001+02:00

Ours

2008-12-12T05:13:00.002+02:00

2008-10-29T14:20:00.004+02:00

++++ GIVE (BLIP) A CHANCE ++++

So finally, all that stuff i've been working on with fellow illustrator/photographer/artist whatever you want to call him, Jo Baaklini, has made it to the internet.

Check out the official blog : http://blippedblog.blogspot.com

It features collab work, including sketchbooks, illustrations,

shoes and other objects, and some of the photography we have been up to.

Its a very interesting combination, so if you like the work on this page,

you should give (BLIP) a chance.