Why Faceless Art?

Howdy friend! Welcome to Mariam Poppins blog! This is the place where we answer questions, share updates and keep you in the know with some of the latest happenings here at MP. I want to talk about why our art style is illustrations without facial features. 
​Have you been wondering what's the deal? Well wonder no more. 

For WEEKS now I’ve been messaged by several authors telling me that they love our art and everything is beautiful ماشاء الله 

Them: “we see your art is without facial features, is this your style?”

Confirming that this is INDEED my style. I lost SEVERAL illustration gigs. الحمد لله 

One ☝🏾 thing I know for sure is:  “My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me.”💛

I’ve been asked to tweak my style…

I can’t change my art style. 

This is how I draw. 

When you hire Mariam Poppins this is what you will get. 

I love our illustrations and apparently there are children who love the art too! 

I can’t say how many times Ive heard: 

“That looks like my daughter?” 

“I know a woman who looks like this?” 

“My son sees himself.”

 “Children can see themselves “

The connection to the art is not lost- children are engaged and adults love our art…our Etsy shop has reviews that show a connection (for adults) 
I’m not the first with this style (art without facial features)
There is an artist whose art I enjoy. Her name is Annie Lee. 
Who was she?
"Annie Frances Lee was an American artist. She is known for her depiction of African-American everyday life. Her work is characterized by images without facial features. She used body language to show emotion and expression in her work."

This is an old illustration I did December 1, 2018 (wow that was long ago).

Annie Lee "preferred to bring her illustrations into focus through the movement and body language of the characters. She did not want faces to interfere with the story she was painting through the body language of her characters. By painting without faces, she allowed her customers to project themselves or people that they knew into the painting."

So let’s recap….

1. Children and adults see themselves in our illustrations or someone they know.
2. ​ Adults and children have been able to connect with the art whether it's for children's books or our stationery that we sell and design.
3. Removing facial features from our illustrations allow children to use their imagination.
4. Some women due to religious reasons need illustrations without facial features.
5. Everyone can feel included and represented - because the illustrations can be of anyone. There is no ideal standard of beauty. Nobody feels excluded.
   

​ I'm thankful that the art has been well received. 

Thank you for reading this post and thank you for considering Mariam Poppins to be your illustrator.