I am an artist and illustrator, whose primary means of expression is drawing.
To me, drawing is both observation and experimentation. It’s about being curious and open to textures, rhythm and movement.
I have published several children’s books in French and Arabic, and while the stories are all very different from each other, what unites them is my effort to look at the world through a child’s eyes and connect with them on an emotional plane.
I have also worked with brands and companies which came to me in a search for unique images that spoke to the viewer.
Finally, I am exploring the decorative realm, using objects from nature and bringing them to life through painting and sculpture.
For fifteen years, I have taught a visual exploration course at university, guiding advanced illustration students through an experimental journey.
I am a mother of two, based in Cyprus with availability to travel.
Drop me a line: joelleachkar84@gmail.com
My journey
I am French and Lebanese, I grew up in the Gulf, surrounded by identical houses and square-trimmed trees. Art was where I found freedom, and I drew inspiration from the wild and vibrant natural world that I witnessed during family visits to chaotic Lebanon.
In 2007, I completed my Master’s degree in comic art and illustration at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA).
Art and illustration have opened up multiple avenues since — finding work in children’s books, advertising, teaching and the decorative arts.
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2012 - 2024:Graphic expression lab, School of decorative Arts, Illustrations and Comics. Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA), Beirut, Lebanon
2009 - 2015: Visual Literacy, Interior Architecture and Design Department. Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA), Beirut, Lebanon
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Etisalat Award for Children’s Literature, Best Illustration Award for the book Fairuz Fatal el Ramana, Rania Zbib Daher, Academia Publishing, 2014
Children’s Book of the Year, Beirut Book Fair, 2010, for the book El Dajaja Bak Beek, Rania Zbib Daher, Kalimat Editions, February 2009
Best Book Award of the IBBY Lebanon (International Book Board for the Young) and Beirut World Book Capital (Ministry of culture), 2010, for the book Tannourti, by the author Fatima Sharafeddine, Assala publishing,
2010 Accolades Award Program for District Two of CaSe, Honorable Mention Prize in the category of Visual Design and Cover Illustration, LAU Magazine, Editor-in-Chief: Todd Dorman, Spring 2009, Vol. 11
Silex,a cultural association supporting young talents in Lebanon, selected my illustrated book Faits et Méfaits as their top choice in 2008
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Bienneal of Aix en Provence, 9th Art Meeting, Beyrouth ya Beyrouth, Group Exhibition, Aix-en-Provence, July 2024
Beit Beirut, Haneen, Group Exhibition, UNICEF Lebanon, BEYOND Association, Beirut, February 2018
Orient 499 Boutique and Workshop, Pierres silencieuses:illustrated pebbles, Beirut, 2013-2019
Beit El Madina, Everything is Design, Chababik Zarka: Group Exhibition, FloukArt, Arts & Culture Association, Rola Osseiran, Tyre, October 2015
Beirut Art Center, Bac Design, Beirutkon:Illustrations on various products designed by three Lebanese designers, Beirut, July 2013
Centre Culturel Francais de Beyrouth, Exhibition and signing of the illustrated book Faits et Méfaits, co-published by L’Orient-Le Jour-ALBA, February 2008
UNESCO Palace, Lebanese-German Exhibition, the enchanted world of picture books, Exhibition of illustrations by German and Lebanese illustrators. Beirut, Lebanon, April 2008
Salon du dessin de presse et de la caricature,Saint-Just-le-Martel, France, 2007
UNESCO Garden and Fossil Museum, Group Exhibition of photographs Byblos portrait(s) de ville. Byblos, Lebanon, June 2006
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La nuit des idées at the French Cultural Center in Beirut: drawing performance to the music of DJ AHMZ, May 2024
World Book Week, in collaboration with AEFE and La Phénicie bookstore, Beirut: workshop on my book La valse folle de Sol Bémol, Collège Protestant Français de Beyrouth, April 2024
Month of Francophonie in collaboration with the French Institute of Jounieh, Lebanon, Jesus and Mary School, March 2024
Drawing Workshop, learning to recognise, observe and draw our six major emotions, Louise Wegmann School, Lebanon, February 2024
Workshop on my book Petit Shoe de Boutville, Louise Wegmann School, Lebanon, December 2023
Workshop at the French Institute of Jounieh, Lebanon, on my children's book La Valse Folle de Sol Bémol. December 2023
Beyrouth Livres 2022 festival, at the French Cultural Centre in Beirut, Gemmayzé, sur nos murs, drawing a mural in the Samir Éditeur bookstore, October 2022
Environment Day workshop, Grand Lycée Franco-Libanais de Beyrouth, June 2022
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Une petite note en liberté, L’Orient Littéraire, Interview by Ralph Doumit, January 4, 2024.
La valse folle de Sol Bémol, L’Agenda Culturel, December 18, 2023.
Winners for the Young People’s Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature Announced, Khaleej Times, Afkar Abdullah, November 6, 2014.
Le bonheur est dans le «Petit Shoe de Boutville», L’Orient-Le Jour, Interview by Colette Khalaf, December 4, 2010.
RENCONTRE: Pour son DESS en publicité et illustration/BD à l’ALBA, Les faits et méfaits de «L’Orient-Le Jour» inspirent Joëlle Achkar. Interview by Carla Henoud, July 24, 2007.
EXPOSITION - Vernissage et signature, ce soir au CCF, de l’ouvrage d’illustrations de Joëlle Achkar Les « Faits et méfaits » de « L’Orient-Le Jour » L’Orient le jour, February 28, 2008
Faits et méfaits معرضٌ وكتاب جويل أشقر تحوز جائزة Silex للمتفوقين الشباب, Salima Chahine, February 28, 2008