THE ARTEAST QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, Volume 12, Issue 1, page 5, January 2005
FEATURED MEMBER: MONA YOUSSEF
My love of arts and of painting has been within me for as long as I can
remember. At about age seven, I had locked myself out on the balcony and
started to draw. I had no idea of what I wanted to draw at the moment, but was
aware of a great need to draw. I used to spend my allowance to buy art
supplies (even though what I wanted was chocolates). In comparison however,
painting was my ultimate joy and more valuable to me than any amount of
chocolate.
I remember my first water color painting I did in school caused me tears
because I couldn’t get the fine details I had in mind. Since then, it has been
my goal and my challenge to paint in a realism style. You are invited to
read my article on my website? Born Talented or taught to be an Artist?.
Persisting with art, I was overjoyed when my mother presented me with a whole
set of oil colors, including brushes and canvases, at age of twelve. I
immediately started my first oil painting. It was of a country scene from my
imagination and my family fell in love with the final result. When my mother
took it in for framing, I was surprised when she returned home without it and
announced that she had sold it to the shop owner who offered for a good price.
My mother was happy for me, but I had mixed feelings. I missed my painting
very much and as a result, I didn’t want to sell anymore of my paintings for a
long time.
During my schooling, I was pleased to received ongoing recognition and awards
for my art and my goal was to go to the University of Fine Arts in Cairo. I
did eventually go there, but didn’t go into visual art section but rather; I
majored in interior and exterior design. I knew that selling paintings would
not be the right path for me at the time because of how attached I became to
my work.
Over the years, my work experience has had rewarding variety. I had a
successful career in interior and exterior design and later became involved in
architectural drafting and perspective presentations. In 1982, while working
as a graphic artist for a Toronto firm, I was thrilled to be chosen to create
a painting to celebrate the repatriation of the Canadian Constitution. The
"Canadian Constitution Act" was presented to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.
Recognition in the Toronto Star and Mr. Trudeau's letter of thanks and
appreciation are still among my most treasured memorabilia.
Further broadening my training, I took courses in "Commercial Arts", "Desktop
Publishing" and Digital Media which led me to rewarding work as a layout
artist for Sears Canada Inc Catalogues and as a freelancer graphic designer.
Completing a diploma in Business Administration gave me the opportunity to
work at Canada Post. Later on, with shrinking job markets and competition
resulting from downsizing in both the public and private sectors, I had the
unique experience to become involved in a Mechanical drafting job, with good
success.
Throughout this period, I was still painting in my free time and enjoying
those additions to my walls. From time to time, I sold, did works on
commission and contributed works to raise funds for the Canadian Opera
Company.
Since then, I have been participating in exhibitions all over the National
Capital Region and other in other cities.
Art, in my opinion, is a manifestation of love. We love the nature around us,
the people we share our world with. When we truly love what we do, we do it
whole-souled and become professionals at it. Art has taught me that there is
always light somewhere, even when things may seem dark. In my paintings, I
focus on the importance of light along with the shadow that complements its
beautiful counterpart. By using different subtle tones and applying many fine
layers to create depth and soft contrast, I emphasize perspective and
composition. Through painting, I've learned that what we see, for the first
time, is not always or exactly what we initially perceive to be there. Having
a second and a third look at subjects or matters can reveal more depth, value
and beauty. This study is what leads me to pursue the realistic style. In
addition, I have been able to realize the potential for growth and development
in my work and this is what will inspire me to go on reaching new levels of
depth, beauty and diversity in my paintings.
Presently, I work as a part-time private Art instructor and the rest of my
time is spent painting. I find refreshment in versatility and so I love to
teach because there is giving, helping and sharing whereas in painting, I
silently speak to myself on how to improve my giving, helping and sharing in
the art field. I find availability to freely support those who have thirst for
learning art. So, my fellow artists please feel free to contact me, should you
find that I can assist in any way. I can be reached through my website:
Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist
