Born in Paris in 1985, studied arts at Damascus University and Illustrations at St. Martin’s College in London; Nadine Kaadan works in Children’s illustrations and books throughout the region and can truly be deemed one of a kind in her field of work in Syria.

What drew you to this field?
Since I was five years old I’ve always loved happily-ever-after tales and vibrant colors; I just live fairytales and believe in them, they are my passion and my life.

When did you professionally embark on this career?
I used to make a children’s magazine when I was ten and sell it for cheaper than the cost just to get it out there! Kidding aside, I was 18 and I designed Paris-themed postcards for the French embassy; then came my work with Tuteh Tuteh magazine; and later my first published book in Jordan when I was 22.

What are you working on currently?
Currently I’m drawing for the best script I’ve ever read in my life, “How Fa Minor arrived in Damascus.” The story starts with Chopin playing on an island until he loses his note, which is carried by the sea to an eight-year-old girl in Damascus. Then the story evolves into a fairytale revolving around the life of Chopin and the mesmerizing Damascene scene that the little child passages through to return Chopin’s note. It generally talks about Chopin and Damascus in a fairytale setting.
I’m also working on a movie about Damascus, in which I’m the art director. It will be released in two months. It is an Al-Jazeera documentary film talking about Damascene fairytales that had been long forgotten.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love it when kids come to me and tell me they loved my books. But in the process itself, my favorite part is reading the script then basing the characters on people I know from real life, real people inspire my fairytales; “everyman’s life is a fairytale written by god.”

What technique do you follow in drawing for a story, and which media?
I read the script and then imagine the whole story line and feel its mood, then I reflect on the emotions of the stories and try to look for colors that match it, like giving it a lonely gloomy color if it was in winter. Colors reflect emotions, and everybody has a mood and a color.
As for the media, I prefer using watercolors because they are transparent with layers, and honest. Sometimes I use other styles, but it depends on the mood of the story.

What advice would you give people who might consider pursuing a similar line of work?
You have to be happy to be in this field, and honest in dealing with fairytales and presenting them with love and passion, that spreads the concept of love to people and children.

What do you aspire for in the future?
I would like to win a book award, and that is the happily-ever-after in my fairytale.
Sadly, we don’t have a children’s books culture in Syria, and generally, no reading interest at all. Nonetheless, with the efforts of unique individuals such as Kaadan we hope more efforts will be set into building our children’s aptitude for books; build their capacities for their future, and ours.

The person who has impressed you throughout history: Gutav Klimt

The person who has impressed you in your personal life: My whole family

I value: Simple fun creativity

I’m fascinated by: Fairy tales

I would walk a thousand mile to: To get a chocolate ice cream

My favorite author: Milan Kundera

Book I’m reading now: Samarkand

Thing that make my smile: Kids innocent talks

My favorite quote: “Comedy is tragedy, plus time,” Woody Allen

Three traits I admire in people: Fun, intelligence, spontaneity

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• Sam Dalla: Was the Chinese model that good?

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