Artist Statement:

 Art is a manifestation of love, loving the nature around us and 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 is a powerful tool and a silent International language that can convey messages to the world reflecting culture, history and civilization. This language can speak up, announce, make known, unify, bring together, support, encourage, share, care for, show compassion and kind feelings toward all. In two words; Art is to LOVE.”

  Through arts, we express inner feelings and thoughts. We often  use  the  expressions  "the  art  of listening,  the art of teaching,  the art of communication,  and  the  art of writing - even the art of healing". When we really love what we do, we do it whole-souled and become professionals at it. It can become an art to us.  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 shadows that complement 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 to what we thought was there the first time.

   Having said that, realizing this is what led me to extend the realism style. My experiences traveling to different countries and cities, where I've learned about different cultures, has enabled me to widen my perspective on life and become easily intimate with the qualities of our natural world and the people it nourishes. In addition, I find that there is an infinite room for growth and development in my artwork and this is what will inspire me to go on reaching new levels of depth, beauty and diversity in my realism oil paintings. I've worked for over eight years, as a part-time Art Instructor.

   At present, I work as a full-time fine artist. I find refreshment in versatility and so I loved teaching because there was giving, helping and sharing whereas in painting, I silently speak to myself on how to improve my giving, helping and sharing in different ways. Presently, I focus on producing more Oil paintings.

I am pleased to display my artwork on this online Art Gallery and I welcome your comments and questions.

Mona Youssef