Passion for Art

"Passion for art"

We always use, read or hear the common word “passion” for this and passion for that in particular passion for art. But what is the meaning of passion and from where was driven!? What does it mean having passion for something or to be passionate about something? Word passion has been driven from the Greek word “pathos” and has more than one meaning. It can mean something good or bad happens to us; in particular, bad thing that carries the meaning of suffering! Passion in Latin word is “passio” means suffering and the verb is “pati” means to suffer!

I definitely, do not wish to talk about suffering but about the passion for art in the optimistic sense. Our common understanding of word “passion” has been always as a fine quality to have. In a way yes, it is, for the fact that passion works as internal forces and as an inner agent to motivate oneself. It is inner feelings or personal needs to express oneself in different ways. Passion motivates us to have devotion, desire, deep interest, intense love and affection for what we wish to do or have.

When intense emotion exists usually become uncontrollable and stirs us to reach what has been foreseen from a distance. This deep feelings or needs create enthusiasm which leads to action, in turn, action will lead to success. So, we can say that Passion creates action and action creates result.

But how about the suffering part and why that was included in the original meaning of the word? When passion is left uncontrollable with no guided goals or constructive plans can cause the negative results and suffering. However, having self-discipline, strategy, clear vision and determination can result in the positive part of passion.

Now, what does all this have to do with artists having passion for art? In general artists, of all disciplines, have much passion for what they do. Yet, we have seen some artists have stopped creating art, why? Whether because of low sale or no sale at all or t\hey were dreaming too big and rushing results! This factor would induce artists to examine the inner motives and find out if they have enough passion for what they have chosen to do! Has the financial issue contributed to their decisions of quitting? Have they made enough research of how to promote their art? Have they inquired about how to turn art to business or even asked for professional assistance? Have they taken the necessary steps to reach the next step? Or have they discovered that art was not for them? When some millionaires were asked “what made them successful?” they stated that “when doing something you passionate about, the money will follow”!

Art career is one of the most difficult paths one can have to make living from. However, my fellow artists, I am not a dreamer neither I am encouraging you to be. But keeping your passion alive and passing the suffering part (the waiting period while working hard) is one of the most important ingredients to success.

And this I wish you all, not the suffering period but the successful experience.

Rest a creative Mind

“Rest a creative mind”

A creative mind needs a rest from time to time to refreshes and reenergizes itself. For the fact that a creative artist is not an automated machine that works 24 hours nonstop, and still produces same thing over and over every minute. Therefore, refreshing a creative mind is essential need for artist's creativity and productivity. That is why learning to reenergize the mind is a step toward the goal. Our surroundings of nature are available to provide what we need. Although, it is necessary for an artist's mind to slips in and out, of consciousness, to nourish their visions. Being absorbed by nature and capable of observing and meditating will inspire a creative mind for next step of improvement. When the brush keeps on moving all over the canvas, not knowing what to do, while the minds goes off somewhere else, it is the time to revive the focusing point. If your car is running out of gas, you will not be able to drive, for too long. If your brain is running out of protein and phosphors, surely do not expect to see matters clearly. If a person lacks good amount of sleep, what productivity can he/she expects next day! Yes, the brush will tend to drift and re-paint same areas with no result. Because of the mental drift as the case with beginners and less confident artists, so are the creative mind can experience same thing exactly, as if it had never painted before. In this stage, artists absolutely need to pause for reenergizing themselves. The sensitivity of a capable artist is a quality of perceiving and responding to external conditions and stimulation, absorbing lights, shapes, colors and reacting to other's feelings, attitudes and circumstances.

As far as how to reenergize oneself and for how long, this is where a personal experience fits in. Creative people gain knowledge of themselves as to how, when and where to get that craving for creating artwork and what dose influence their minds. Seeing, observing, reasoning, watching and feeling for, studying, meditating and listening to favorite music can make the big difference. Of course, self-discipline has a big role in this. These steps of nourishment would clear out the abstracts and the mind distractions. To produce the" instinctive painting" we need to be full of it and completely focused, at the moments of creating it, with no distractions. But how often can we accomplish that, with the intention of creating a new piece of art, while we might be apprehensive about other matters in life! It has been the struggle of many artists including professionals!

To keep the frame of mind, to maintain its freshness, to prolong the openness of learning new materials and to carry on the innocence of a child, creative people need to work with the subconscious mind, that has been previously, nourished, with spontaneous intention, true motives, passion and enjoyment. Watching creative children, we find that they are free from any fear, worries or calculations of matters. These factors do affect our freeness of expressing oneself whether in painting, performing, composing or any other form of art to create. In the harshness of not only the western society but in all societies, artists easily struggle, not only from many worries in making living but also, in living up to the speed of life. Freeing oneself from these factors, while crating artwork, is another struggle requires self-discipline. Liked the smell of your first medium, you will be eager to stay in your studio for long hours as when appreciating a word of wisdom, you will acquire more of it. Also, staying in a studio, for many hours, requires self-discipline. Observing Artists who started drawing and painting since childhood and probably were faced with oppositions from different ones to go in different direction, yet they have been painting still and will for the rest of their lives. Artists do not need to spare as of how to keep the innocence and the freshness in their minds for that is driven from within.

Artists brains are progressive gift where can be maturing in vision, imagination and widening out with flexibility. Hence, let us learn more about that marvelous gift was given to us, from God, learn how to use it and keep it in a healthy state.

©Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist

Is art accessory or necessity

Is art accessory or necessity?

To start with the leading answer; Artists continue creating art regardless of their economic, social, health or emotional states. Obviously, art nourishes our cognitive and aesthetic needs thus, it leads us to self-realization. Through self-assessment, we come to deeper understanding of our emotions and thoughts. It turns, this progression increases our self-awareness and grants us openness to new ideas and additional life experiences. Hence, creating or viewing art of all its forms improves the brain elasticity for better life management, tolerance and turns what we do to enjoyable tasks rather than merely duty or obligation.

Needlessly to mention the awe inspiring beauty in the universe with its infinite designs, shapes, colours, forms and even countless sounds! Apparently, art has existed even earlier than human and is extending our existences individually and collectively. And collectively, we see that art of all it forms, not merely transcends entertainment and beauty but also generates powerful emotions, serious influences and conceptual ideas which in turns become influential discoveries.

Countless evidence proved that art was not simply to communicate or to convey a message artistically. More importantly, art is to elicit an emotional response, to move and motivate us. Often times, we automatically and unconsciously use it as a tool for creative expression, advertising and tapping beyond the ordinary.

Who of you could imagine having colourless meals? Or listen to soundless music? Or watching colourless birds and flowers? These are few examples of how art gives meaning to our lives, enjoyment and helps us understand our world of which we are part.

Definitely, art is an essential element of our culture and works as barometer to measures levels of cultural sophistication. Thus, art is not accessory but necessity.

©Mona Youssef

Important Questions Artists need to ask!

Important Questions Artists need to ask.

Should Artists pay to enter competitions? Word competition is to compete first, contest for some prize or honor, then receive the award end of the tunnel. Should Artists pay to receive Awards and honor or these must be granted as recognition for their special skills and talents? Do Artists need to feel inferior to winners when they are not? Is this the proper investment on their artwork? You got my point! In addition, do truly competitions provide a peaceful atmosphere among competitors? Do Artists care to contribute to the spirit of peace or to the spirit of “Me first”?

• 1- Should artists pay to receive Awards? It has been brought to my attention, by some artists, asking me what do I think of invitations they received to pay fee and win Awards! Many times, a book can be read from its cover! In my opinion, given Awards is a recognition of good artwork that meet the main criteria when jury it. Should artists pay to receive Awards? If receiving Awards are ONLY for those who can afford the fee, I deeply sympathize with artists who can’t while deserving recognized Awards. Can I congratulate those who have been receiving unnumbered Awards because they can afford it? As a fair jurist, I wish I would but whom will I be deceiving or putting down?! You do the math. And whom will I be encouraging to continue their official deception to Artists? I think you got my point.

• 2-Sould Artists pay to get published in misleading publications? There are some publications that use masterful titles to satisfy Artists egos, such as Top 100 artists or Top Masters of the world etc. If Top 100 were chosen ten years ago, are there still different top 100 every year! If it is yearly publication, why it is published often? Are the top 100 truly the ONLY Top 100 artists in the world? If so, why the world did not hear about them prior to that publication was issued? I have looked at some of these publications, and as a jurist, I was hoping to review different artwork. Artists, should you choose to publish your artwork in any publication/magazine, inquire first; how many copies are printed? To whom are distributed? What is the sale price for each copy” this is another revenue for the editors in addition to collecting the fees to publish your artwork! Another essential point, your artwork is sold in high resolution to the public and can be reprinted, reproduced or copied by different parties for different reasons, are you aware of that? If you are offering prints of your artwork, do you know what that mean? Think it over.

• 3-Should Artists pay to enter competitions? Word competition is to compete first, contest for some prize or honor, then receive the award end of the tunnel. Do Artists pay to receive Awards and honor or these must be granted as recognitions for their special skills and talents? Do Artists need to feel interior to winners when they are not? Is this the proper investment on their artwork? You got my point! In addition, do truly competitions provide a peaceful atmosphere among competitors? Do Artists care to contribute to the spirit of peace or to the spirit of “Me first”?

• 4-Should Artists pay fee to exhibit? Please read this article and hope will help. https://www.monayoussefgallery.com/articles/should-artists-pay-fees-to-exhibit

The above are some of questions artists have asked me in private messages and these are my open and honest opinion. As always, I speak my mind and do not work in hid and seek games. I do hope that these points will add some lights to your decisions and I am always happy to help.

©Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist

Philanthropy and being an Artist

It made my day when an Artist, whom I’ve selected to participate in Florence Biennale 2019, said to me” You are not only an artist or jurist but in my opinion, you are a philanthropist!

Elaborating on the definition of philanthropist, it is the person who makes an active effort to promote human welfare, a person who practices and involved in goodwill for his/her fellow members of humanity. Shouldn’t we all carry ourselves in such manners? How beautiful life could be if we did? Is it something to brag about or feel happy that we can be? “There is always more happiness in given than is in receiving”. No wonder why the Creator is the greatest Artist!

Searching further for examples of the word “Philanthropy”, I came across the following:

• Among his converts was Arthur Tappan, a New York textile merchant and philanthropist who sheltered and guided the development of the antislavery movement through its long early years by dint of sheer openhandedness. —Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005

• John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way. —Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002

• You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender in sectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000

• A hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. —Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991

• For many years, Microsoft has used corporate philanthropy to bring technology to people who can't get it otherwise, donating more than $3 billion in cash and software to try to bridge the digital divide. —Bill Gates, Time, 11 Aug. 2008.

• Cooper, born in New York City in 1791, was himself an inventor and a hands-on industrialist, whose fortune got its start in the glue business, greatly expanded in the iron industry, eventually included more than half the telegraph lines in the United States, and was significantly invested in philanthropy and the cause of public education. —John Updike, New York Review of Books, 10 Aug. 2006

• In conditions of anarchy, a crude and violent order, based upon brute force and psychopathic ruthlessness, soon establishes itself, which regards philanthropy not as a friend but as an enemy and a threat. —Theodore Dalrymple, National Review, 26 Sept. 2005

• The family's philanthropy made it possible to build the public library. among the industrialist's philanthropies was a college scholarship fund for deserving students from the inner city.

Should Artists pay Fees to Exhibit

It has been almost the case for Artists; paying fees to exhibit their artwork. At times, Artists end up carrying the artwork back and forth with no happy results. Frustration is the common feeling. That is why, number of Artists have cut down on such exhibitions for the high cost and some galleries have closed down as a result. Different Artists learned different lessons and the resilient ones remain. Some Artists had to find second jobs to make the ends meet. Even though, the art-market is like a growing giant yet, some Artists have given up.

No denial that artists are the main feeders for art organizations. However, those art organizations open the ways for artists to be seen for potential sales. Having said that, the question is; should/should not artists pay fees to exhibit their artwork? Yes and No. When we pay an amount of money anywhere is to receive certain services. With the same token, paying fee to exhibit artwork is to receive all the potentials of promotion, exposure and possible sales as the normal expectations. That is said, sale of artwork can’t be guaranteed in any exhibition. Factors are many, think about it.

Nevertheless, when exhibiting in a physical Gallery, Galleries must have their own clients and are aware of what their clients normally purchase. It is the gallery’s homework to build up good clients, art buyers and have a list of permanent buyers to invite. Accordingly, they accept certain Artists with certain styles to exhibit their artwork. Such galleries only select artists who are already and successfully selling and accepting to pay, in turn, a good percentage of the sales price between 45%-80%. If the sale is poor or there is no sale at all, obviously, galleries will not keep such artists. Most likely, those galleries are focusing only on collecting fees with their minimum advertising and least cost. In general, galleries barely invest the amount of money needed on promoting an exhibition. Simply, they count on the list of clients they have. In addition, they do not want their artists to be taken away from the. Thus, they hock them in a contract of five years for example where artists are not allowed to exhibit anywhere else. With their limited number of clients/art buyers who might or might not fall in love with the artwork or might/might not agree with the sale prices, chances of Artists are slim.

In comparison, exhibiting in reputable international exhibitions usually targets thousands of guests including art collectors which is worth the investment for artists. These Art Organizations set measurable budgets on promoting the exhibitions internationally and dedicate thousands of hours preparing for such huge exhibitions. In this case, it is worth the investment for artists to paying fee. Even though, sale still will not be guaranteed yet, artists will have a wider exposure and the opportunities to widen out their communications on international level. As far as sale goes, it will depend on your artwork, who will like it, find it valuable, appreciate the quality, captured by the subject, impressed by your authentic biography, and agree with prices to invest. You will direct contact with visitors and potential buyers.

Artists however, need to keep in mind that they will be competing with hundreds of other artists exhibiting there. In case of lack of sales, you will still get your artwork seen by hundreds if not thousands of visitors who seriously, interested in art. You might be contacted later on, whereas when exhibiting in a physical gallery, they is hold on the direct communication with you by the buyer.

In addition to the benefits of exhibiting in a renowned international exhibitions, it will look good on your biographies as where your art was seen and by whom.

Some artists prefer to pay percentage 45%, 60% or even 80% to physical galleries and be controlled and others prefer to pay fee in known international exhibitions to have full control of their artwork and to receive the full sale price, it is a personal choice.

In either case, there are questions Artists need to ask before deciding which direction to choose: 1-Reputation: Is the exhibition has a good reputation? Is it well known and to whom? 2-Location: Will the exhibition be held in a well-known location with which the public is familiar? 3-Visitors: what kind of visitors/guests usually attend such exhibition and how many? 4-Promotion: What kind of promotion is offered and how professional? How many will see it such promotion? And what is the budget spent for the promotion? 5-Recognition: Is the organizer well documented, expert and has extended connections? 6-Timing: Will the exhibition take place at a time of an active season of that city/country? 7-Well written agreement: Does art organizer invite artists with a legal Agreement stating clearly, all Terms and Conditions? 8-Application fee: Does organizer collect fees to submit the application or artwork? Artists, pay attention to that request. There is difference between paying to apply and paying the exhibit. The first is far from professional/ 9-Reasonable cooperation: Does art organizer cooperate well and gratify all your questions? 10-Goal: Are art Organizers working only for themselves or for you as well? 11-Question to ask yourself: Will I feel proud to say “I have exhibited there”? 12-Exhibiting in a gallery: aside from the above questions, What promotions will artists receive? Will the promotion be included in the written Agreement?

Regardless of the above, Art is playing a big role in the world’s industry. This what moves massive amounts of currency around worldwide. Some Artists’ names and artworks are priced highly because of such massive market monitored by large business campaigns. Such efforts mostly, are behind artist’s success and mind blowing prices.

When artists have outstanding talents, they need to be professionally visible, promoted, and get discovered by the right audience. Such exposure can’t happen inside your studios, unless you exhibit in selected exhibitions or have personal strategy to get you there alone.

While the international competition is huge yet, artists need sometimes to take the risks. Complaining more than doing something will not get you anywhere. Thus, make the decisions for yourselves and be responsible for the results. We all do invest on what we believe in doing. Expecting free service is unheard of. Should Artists chooses to only pay fee, then count the cost and think about all the pros and the cons.

Should you be able to build you own collectors where there is no need for galleries or for art organizers, congratulations.