When creative illustration becomes Lebanese!

When creative illustration becomes Lebanese!

My life will be the best illustration of all my work.

Hans Christian Andersen

“Abou Ras” and “Madmozel” are only a fraction of what illustrator Deborah Phares presents to the Lebanese public. Imaginative, humorous and lifelike are the words to describe her works. She chose this artistic track when she received her master’s degree from Academie Libanaise des Beaux Arts -ALBA, in advertising with emphasis on design and editing. Then shortly started teaching several courses at American University of Science and Technology (AUST), Lebanese University, ALBA and Université Antonine.

Deborah was the first in Lebanon to visually publish the Lebanese “slang” and playfulness of the country’s everyday words; bringing to life two comical characters: “Abou Ras” and “Madmozel” which translate literal language to graphic creations through minimalistic lines inspired by Osvaldo Cavandoli.

They appear in L’Orient Le Jour newspaper along with a description of the illustration and the origin of the tackled word or expression. Volume 1 of her book “Madmozel” is the French version or “Franjeh” where all the words derive from the French language; while volume 2 will be published soon under the English version or “m2anglaz”, combining more than 400 illustrations.

Deborah Phares wishes to pursue a career in the communication of politics, patriotism and propaganda. In addition to finding a position highlighting the dialogue between the orient and the occident, since coming from a mixed nationalities and multi-cultural family.  



Deborah Phares, Illustrator and instructor