Born and raised in Jeddah, Bogis graduated from King Abdulaziz University with a degree in biology.
“I studied science because my father pushed me to, but when I graduated I tried to convince him of my idea to study art because it was my dream,” he said. “When he finally approved it I traveled to Malaysia to peruse my dream."
In Malaysia, Bogis acquired a degree in illustration, but he says an artist's work is the only thing that can prove an artist's talent.
“Every artist has to have a taste in art, and this can be developed by practice because all artists want their work to speak out for them not for their studies,” he said. “I only took the course to help me develop my drawing skills and to learn new techniques. And when I came back to Saudi Arabia, I tried showing people my work not my certificate."
Social media and digital media is what helped Bogis market himself.
“I have to admit that Internet tools were the biggest help to why I am here now. I started posting my work on different websites until people started to know me and approach me,” he said. “I later applied to 77 Media aiming to start a career using my artistic skills, I showed them my work and they were very impressed."
Bogis sees that socializing with other Saudi artists in his field is essential.
“I lately tried to get in touch with other illustrators and animators in the Kingdom knowing that there aren’t many of them,” he said. “I find it very important to make friends with them to learn and teach. It’s even important to let them know my work and know me because it’s how an artist starts getting recognized."
Bogis finds his muses in nature, music, people, cartoons and computer games. “My signature character is Deeko which is my avatar because when I was young people used to call me Deek (Arabic for "rooster")," he said. "The character is hyper and friendly a lot like me because it’s a signature character that represents me.”
The Saudi illustrator uses different methods in drawing from just using a pencil and paper to digital drawings.
“I mainly use pencil because it’s easy and doesn’t take much time. I also use colored pencils to make my art piece more attractive and eye-catching,” he said. “I mostly use the digital drawings at work for clients."
“I cannot say that I have a specific tool to draw. I just grab whatever is in front of me and start drawing because I don’t like limiting myself to one type on one method,” he added.
Bogis aims to be a Saudi icon in the world of illustration in Saudi Arabia.
“There are almost no Saudi illustrators that I know off, I’ve been looking for them but I cannot find them, and if there aren’t any I want young Saudis too look at what I have made of myself and approach this profession,” he said. “I want young Saudis to follow their dreams if their dream is to be an artist of any kind."
Bogis says he is ready to "take my drawings to the next level."
"I want to increase my knowledge and experience by doing a series of drawing,” he said. “I will start doing this as soon as I get free time to start my fantasy stories that I already have in my head.”
Borgis also says he's planning on publishing a book and hosting an exhibition in the future, but for now he's focused on further developing his skills as one of Saudi Arabia's few professional illustrators.
