Aminah Yaghmour is a female Saudi artist and a hyperactive, loyal follower of the modern arts trend. She believes innovation has no limits and that sceneries are the sum result of the feelings and expressions that motivate artists to paint. Aminah has an equation to explain her success as an artist, strong method plus rich feelings, equals good results. And even though she has a Bachelor degree in English and works as a translator, Aminah believes that the language she speaks best is art. Q: When did you first realize that you were meant to be an artist? A: Somehow, I started painting at the age of seven. When I turned 15, I took it more seriously, but I would say that the year 2000 was the year of my real artistic prominence. Q: What inspires you to paint? A: Painting for me is a way of conveying a message that comes spontaneously. It is an expression of an internal message; I can not paint without feeling. Q: When you feel like you're facing a dead end, working on one of your paintings, how do you react? A: When I paint, I paint, no matter what. Still, I take short breaks since concentration is essential when painting. Unless something important would draw my attention for a long time. Q: Did working as translator influence your career? A: Translation is a way of documenting cultures and knowledge among nations and across time and place. Thus it adds to my artistic background. Q: Were you influenced by other artists? A: In my opinion, artists should appreciate any piece of art regardless whose work it is. I have been influenced by many of our great artists, Saudi artist Dia' Aziz Dia' from the school of realism and culture. His immaculate work documents the most important aspects of traditions in Hejaz and the Holy Mosques. There is Also Zakia Binzaqr, whose work is a sufficient testimony of her artistic value. There are others as well, like Fowziah Abdullateef and in the modern school I'm influenced by Raddwi, Nawawi and Sabban along with many other great artists whom I admire. Q: How can artists be innovative when they are focusing on sales rather than art? A: In my opinion art stands for itself, you can not come up with new ways to sell your art apart from regular means such as exhibitions, web sites, etc. Admirers are always the best way of getting your works advertised. Q: What does English offer to you as an artist? A: English is a language among many other languages; it is understood and used only by those who speak it. As for art, it is the only international way of communication; you don't need a specific language to read or interpret a piece of art. Q: What can you tell us about your participations abroad? A: I participated in different countries such as: Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Norway and India. They were successful experiences; they broadened my perception about others' cultures and provided a great chance to meet new people. Still, being known in my country is my real achievement. Q: Can you tell us more about your latest works? A: My latest is a small modern art collection, which will be on display soon. Q: How can one make his way to being a distinguished and appreciated artist? A: Art is a communication tool as I said before, each artist has his own way to deliver his message. An artist is distinguished when he/she develops his own and unique traits, only then will he receive the appreciation he deserves. Q: Would you sell one of your paintings to someone that doesn't really appreciate fine art? A: I don't think any one would pay his money on buying a piece of art that he wouldn't appreciate. But in such cases, if I know in advance that a purchaser doesn't appreciate my work I wouldn't sell. But once it's sold, it's theirs and not mine any more. Q: Is it important for an artist to define his method and subject before actually painting? A: It depends. For example; feelings or subjects may come first. So all depends on the situation and what school of arts you are following. In other words, you may have a desire to paint first and then subjects will come later. Q: Academic training for an artist, is it an advantage or a disadvantage? A: No doubt it is an advantage, having a great effect on artists' careers. However, it is possible for an artist to become an innovator without actually having any academic training, but again academic training is beneficial to any artist for sure. Q: What do you enjoy most as an artist, working on a painting or having it on display? A: I enjoy both, but of course it is always nice to see and hear admirers' comments and positive criticism Q: How accurate are our critiques in reading art works in exhibitions? A: I really appreciate what they are doing; but we are in need of academic critiques. __
