Meet Menna Attia | Arabic calligraphy artist & Dentist

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

Hi Menna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since I was young I always loved staring at Arabic calligraphy wall art. It was very beautiful to look at and soon it has become my own passion. I always practiced doing calligraphy on various surfaces and also designed it for digital prints . the undeniable mesmerizing balance of the Arabic alphabet added elegancy to the designs I created and soon gained popularity among my little community. I decided to open an Etsy store and an instagram page to embrace, celebrate and style Arabic calligraphy by adding it to -not only- canvas but also clothes and house hold items.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I mainly do Arabic calligraphy art. Arabic calligraphy is the Art based on the unique shape of the Arabic Alphabets. The geometric balance of the alphabet with every curve and dot are all artistic tools that can elaborate magnificent designs from simple Arabic scripts. It was sure something I loved watching and I knew I wanted to practice it. Art usually had no rules and it is free like Picasso once said. But Arabic calligraphy is a different story. Every single curve and dot had a strict rule and angel that can’t be changed .The clever calligrapher is the one who can use these strict rules and turn it in to unique work or art.

It was challenging for me to combine the colors of the back ground and the calligraphed script and make a harmonious wall art that it pleasant to the eye.
I can never call myself a professional Arabic calligrapher. I still have a lot to learn in the magnificent Art.

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.
DFW is a unique area that combines a interesting mix of nationalities and cultures. One thing I would love to show to a friend who visits is this unique variety of the taste and culture. The shops at legacy is a lovely place to take a walk and enjoy the scenery. We can have a southern lunch at bbq restaurant , then enjoy seeing and shopping unique middle eastern antiques at a Turkish antiques store. We can also shop for high end clothes and may be have a taco later in an authentic Mexican restaurant! A lovely international mix that you can only enjoy in DFW area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Husband! He is my soulmate, partner and motivator. He has always called me “Artist” . He knows I love that ! Through my hardest times he kept reminding me of my abilities and my talents. And whenever I doubt myself, he is surprisingly so sure of my success.

One day, he surprised me by opening an Etsy store and instagram page to encourage me to start me own business. He even chose the name for it. He added the first two letters of his name to my first name. And here we go “WeMenna” . And that is how it all started . I can’t thank him enough for his love and support.

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/wemenna

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wemenna_2020

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/wemenna