Meet Sami Beh | Egyptian artist and writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sami Beh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sami, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
I believe that sound religious and moral education, in an understanding and understanding environment, is the most important thing. Also striving to educate my children, as this helps ensure a good future for them – God willing.
There is also an essential point that parents ignore, which is to be close to your children.
I play with my kids, we joke around, we hang out and we study together.. This is very important.
It is also important for them to look at you as a good example for them, and to see all your actions within a sound and correct framework, as parents are the first to influence children.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a comics and illustrator. I think I am one of the few artists who color comics with watercolors, after the world has turned to digital coloring.. I think that watercolors and brush strokes give a greater sense of life to paintings and drawings. And I think that I am proud of being the Egyptian comics artist who has been able to work globally, especially since I am presenting a series by American writer Max Hauser entitled Goddess about superheroes, based on the ancient Egyptian civilization (the Pharaohs).
My entry into art was as a hobby and love for drawing, and I started in 1996.. But I worked in journalism and literature all my life, until economic and social conditions occurred in Egypt, and my work stopped, so I returned to drawing in 2020 and have devoted myself completely to it until now.
The journey was not easy at all. During only two years, I worked on improving and developing my style, to suit what is required globally now, and working to provide quality that is close to what is available and a price that is less than what is offered, all of this amidst attempts to provide for my family, in light of bad economic conditions.
You should always see the new as much as possible, and understand what is required and what attracts others.
There are religious and moral obligations to which I am bound, which made me refuse many jobs, even though they are more valuable than others.
As for the lessons I’ve learned along the way, the most important one is that – unfortunately – the world does indeed operate in terms of self-interest.
I am from the peoples of the Mediterranean, and these people are emotional in the first place… For example, when I work with people for a period of time, I imagine that we have become friends, and that our interest is common.. At that time I make a great effort more than I should, and give up things that are my right for the sake of others .. But I am surprised that they abandon me as soon as their affairs settle down, as if everything I offered was of no value!.
There is only one person left that I have been working with for a while, and I hope I am not shocked by him either, but I decided to start dealing with the logic of interest as well.
I just hope that some will remember that there was once an Egyptian comics artist named Sami Bey, who presented good art that many enjoyed, without degradation or perversion.. Rather, his art was valuable and respected.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a difficult question, because I am from Egypt.. This means that one week will not be enough. Anyway, I think the first thing we’ll do is visit the pyramids.
Also the Egyptian Museum.
We will not forget to visit the Cairo Tower, where you can see Cairo and Giza from above, and sit in the revolve restaurant, to see all sides.
There are famous and delicious foods in Egypt.. I will take him to eat (fol) and (tameya) which is somewhat known now in the world as (Falafel).. but not in a restaurant, but from a street vendor.. This is the most delicious you can eat in the world.
I will host him in my house to eat (Molokhia).. There is nothing better than home-made Molokhia.
Another meal – and not the last one – is (koshari).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
With my parents, my wife comes.. She endured a difficult and arduous journey with me.. Without her support, I would not have been able to achieve much. There is also the famous deceased Egyptian writer, Nabil Farouk, who influenced me in a very positive way.. Likewise, the deceased Egyptian artist, my art teacher, is Abdel-Shafi Sayed.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samibeh.artist/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samibeh.artist/

Author credits:
Max Hauser
Shane Filer
Herschel Forge