We recently had the chance to connect with Chaimae Oualid and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chaimae, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Energy. It’s what makes someone stand out, especially when it’s genuine. I connect with people based on their energy. I can tell when it’s off, and I try not to put up with that unless it’s someone I have to work with. I stay away because I’m not someone who can fake conversation, and I don’t like putting effort into pretending. It feels draining to me. In my personal life, I keep people around me who bring good energy. Integrity matters too, but I think real integrity comes from genuine energy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Chaimae Oualid. Born and raised in Morocco, I moved to the U.S. in 2014 to pursue my studies. I’ll be graduating from medical school this May and working toward a career in emergency medicine. Alongside that, I’m an artist. Since 2020, I’ve exhibited my work in Florida and abroad and have sold over 20 paintings.
Painting has always been how I reset mentally, in both my personal and professional life. During medical school, I would paint after every exam; it’s what helped me stay sane. My process is completely intuitive. I never start with a draft; I begin with a blank canvas and let each mark, whether a brushstroke, a line, or a shift in color, guide the next. Images and meaning appear as I move. Collectors often see things in my work that I don’t even notice myself, which makes it feel relatable beyond me. That’s what I think makes my work special. Everything comes from my imagination. I never copy. I can, but I find it boring and I don’t enjoy it.
I recently started taking commissions, which wasn’t something I planned to do at first because I don’t like being limited creatively, but I ended up enjoying it. Collectors usually share a few colors or art movements they love, and I interpret those freely. I also visit their homes beforehand to get a sense of their taste and how they live with art. That part of the process made me appreciate connection through creativity even more.
Right now, I’m balancing both worlds, medicine and art, and I think that’s what makes my story a little different. They seem unrelated, but they both come from the same place of observation and emotion.
I also work on creative collaborations. I have a parternship with Meeden Art, who sponsors me with high-quality art supplies. More recently, I’ve teamed up with Euroky, a vitality drink brand that combines wellness and creativity. The brand has been very supportive of artists, which is something I really value. I’m designing a limited-edition collection: we’re imagining Euroky’s 4-pack cartons as art. I am working on ten unique designs that bring together creativity, wellness, and sustainability.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to think I needed to have everything figured out, that there was a specific plan I was supposed to follow and that if I didn’t, I was somehow behind. With time, I realized life doesn’t really work like that. The best things that have happened to me came from moments I didn’t plan at all. I’ve learned to be comfortable with uncertainty, to do my best and trust that things will unfold the way they’re meant to. I don’t force what isn’t for me anymore. I believe in timing, and I believe in destiny. What’s meant for me will always find its way.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to sit with things instead of rushing to fix them. When you’re going through something hard, you can’t fast-forward it. You have to feel it and grow through it. Success gives confidence, but struggle gives depth. It makes you more observant and more understanding. I think that’s why my art carries so much emotion. It comes from everything I’ve felt and processed over the years. Those periods taught me to stay grounded and to trust that clarity always comes, even if it takes time.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Generosity. I was raised in Morocco, and generosity is deeply ingrained in our culture, not just in giving things but in how we treat people. I was taught to give and share more than I take. It’s about sharing what you have, making others feel welcome, and offering food, time, or help without expecting anything in return. I grew up seeing that everywhere, from how my parents hosted guests to how friends supported each other like family. Even now, living in the U.S., it’s something I carry with me. I love creating that same warmth around me. It’s one of the values that keeps me connected to where I come from.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Painting and being at the beach. When I paint, I can go for hours and completely disconnect from everything else. It feels like I’m in my own little world. I put on my AirPods, turn on music, and just move with it. Some DJs I love like Folamour, Dixon, Bedouin and Vander make me dance through the canvas. It’s a mix of energy and calm that I don’t find anywhere else. I also feel most at peace at the beach. That’s something I love about living in Florida, I can have a staycation anytime. When I feel overwhelmed, I go to the beach, listen to the waves, the birds, all of it. It makes me grateful for everything I have. There’s a unique calmness there that always brings me back to myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chaioart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chai.o.art/
