Crafting a Cultural Legacy: The Illustrations for ‘Beautiful Bangladesh in Brief’

The journey to create a children’s book that beautifully captures the rich culture and history of Bangladesh was a true labor of love. As a Houston portrait artist and illustrator, I was honored to bring this project to life. ‘Beautiful Bangladesh in Brief’ is a book born from a personal desire to share our heritage, and the illustrations, crafted with my skills as a watercolor artist, were a key part of that story.

The Inspiration:

The idea for this unique cultural book began with my husband and I searching for a resource for our daughter. We wanted a book that would vividly describe the culture, climate, and lifestyle of our home country for a new generation. When we couldn’t find exactly what we were looking for, we decided to create it ourselves. My husband, Syed, took on the challenge of authoring the manuscript, a two-year journey of dedication and research.

Bringing the Story to Life:

It was then my turn to start drawing again after a ten-year hiatus. In just two months, I created all of the book’s illustrations, including the front and back cover art. This project allowed me to use my skills as a Houston watercolor artist to create a visual journey that complements the powerful text. Published in 2018, the ninety-two-page book is a comprehensive guide to Bangladesh’s history, geography, culture, food, and people. It serves as an accessible resource for the second generation of Bangladeshis living abroad and for anyone interested in learning about our country.