Press Release and Publications:

□  2010  "Art Shopping" catalog, Carousal Du Louvre, Paris, France

□ 2009 "Biennale Chianciano Catalogue" Italy, Chianciano Terme (SI)

□ 2009 "The Sounds of Art" Catalog Copenhagen, Denmark.

□ 2008-2009 & 2010-2011 "Who's Who in Visual Art" vol. WORLD, Germany, Leipzig

□ 2007 Florence Biennale for Contemporary Art Catalog, Italy, Page 821

□ 2007 Aug/Sep News of Eastern Ottawa " Chamber of Commerce Courier", Page 9, Canada

2006 Ottawa Arts East, Volume 20, No. 1, Page 9, Ottawa, CA

Feature Member by Arteast Quarterly Newsletter 

January 2005 THE ARTEAST QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, Volume 12, Issue 1, page 5

FEATURED MEMBER: MONA YOUSSEF

My love for arts and for 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 Catalogs 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:

http://www.mona-gallery.com

Portrait of an artist Mona Youssef by Jacqueline Easby

"Arts in / a Gloucester & Cumberland", volume15, number2, March2001

  When Mona first began to paint, she lived in the warm climate of Cairo. The first painting she sold (albeit by accident) was of a village scene "There were woman carrying a water pot on her head and walking under palm trees, clay building,and a path disappearing into the distance. I still remember it clearly. My mother took it to a framer who promptly bought it, and I haven't seen it since" She did find painting from about the same time, however. It shows a tree in winter, in a landscape of snow- a quintessentially Canadian scene. Mona says" I always liked the feeling of snow in that painting"

  Today, Mona lives in Ottawa and is part of the snowy scenes she so loves. She is also a part of history. In 1982, she was commissioned to commemorate the signing of the Canadian Constitution Act. The oil painting, which shows the Parliament Hill on the occasion of signing of the Constitution, was presented to Pierre Trudeau on his retirement. In 1999, shortly before Mr. Trudeau became ill, Mona and her husband visited his home in Montreal to have the painting photographed. She received a personal note from Mr. Trudeau on this occasion, telling her how proud he was to have it hanging in his home. It is one of her most precious keepsakes.

  While Mona was in Toronto during the 90s, she completed a Certificate in Applied Arts and Technology at George Brown College, and an Accounting and office Systems Diploma From Heritage College in Hull Ottawa. "I thought that making a living from painting was, perhaps, not the most practical thing." She laughs, but she hasn't used those diplomas and certificates much. In 1996, at an exhibition in aid of the Women's Opera Committee, At the O'Keeffe Center, she sold two out of three paintings, and decided that perhaps she could make a living out of art.

  Today, Mona is a full-time visual artist and a private art instructor, teaching seven to ten students. She finds great joy in painting and loves to teach art. "It lets me give something back, and has shown me the power of art to restore the soul." She herself constantly paints in oil-polar bears, moose, bobcats, birds, flowers....and trees. A glade of tall trees in summer with ironically, a path disappearing into the distance, sites on her easel.

  Mona's work can be seen at the Ottawa Little theater, and will be exhibited at the Gloucester Arts Council offices in March and April.

 □ 1982 Toronto Star News Papers, Toronto, CA