“We eat watermelon, upcycle, recycle and relove” – Alleine Nadal Khalifa

A freelance Art Director at the Film House, a former Al Jazeera English Media Manager, wife and mother to two gorgeous little girls.

All the way from Cavite- Phillipines.  Alleine  has a BA in Mass Communications and a string of other qualifications in Fine Arts and Art Directing in Film , she moved to Qatar in 2006 to join Al Jazeera English where she remained for almost 10 years.

Tree of Knowledge – an art installation consisting of 102 second hand novels and wires

The Chairwoman – an abandoned chair from a sidewalk, given a new lease of life, now a quirky piece of functional art

mosaic art on a scavenged sink

US: Do you come from an artistic family?

AK: Indeed I do, both my parents are equally artistic and my sibling is also in the news/film industry here in Qatar.

US: How has art impacted your life?

AK: Art has manifested in my life from as early as I can recall –  my parents have  contributed a big part of who and what I am today.

My fairy house – walls are covered entirely with antique and vintage plates

Decoupage and handpainted oud burners

yogarana – dolls broken limbs and hand painted modelling clay make a creative accessories holder

US: Who is your inspiration?

AK: My husband, a film director/producer Omar Khalifa is the greatest part of my inspiration. He’s my number one supporter.

Their passion for the arts has led them to start their company Watermelon Ink.

US: Tell us a little bit about Watermelon Ink.

Why Watermelon?

AK: We love everything watermelon. And in the spirit of such a flexible fruit, we want to bring you just as many diverse, fun and appealing products, so, we eat watermelon, upcycle, recycle and relove.

Our eclectic brains are sprinkled with a passion for the arts. We paint and make films in our day jobs, which keeps us keen to be colourful and curious with our endeavours.

We love to make things, repurposing by using salvaged chairs to side-road pallet wood, or empty baby milk cans to second-hand trinkets from the souq. The result is a varied range of carefully crafted products that will hopefully put a big watermelon smile on your face.

From our craft shop, you can find DIY projects to make your own spaces more creative, vibrant and memorable for the whole family.

One of our main objectives is to help and  collaborate, in particular, with other expats in Qatar from all walks of life. So know that the riyals you spend with Watermelon Ink go to the people who need it most.

We welcome any collaboration opportunities here in Qatar and abroad.

For those of you who don’t know Alleine, she offers the following workshops:

For more information on Watermelon Ink.

Website: alleinenadalkhalifa.com

Email: alleine.khalifa@gmail.com

IG: alleinenadalkhalifa

IG: watermelonink_qatar

FB: Watermelon ink.