Today we’d like to introduce you to ILham Mahfouz.
Hi ILham, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Art and Music are my Passion , I went to Oakland Community college in farmington hills, Michigan , where I was fortunate to meet a great professor Mr: Robert Piepenburg He teaches ceramic , i was very fortunate to take his class , He encouraged all the students and guide each students to develop their own style , with His guidance I loved Ceramic he taught Me Raku firing , which is Jappanese style of glazing and firing for decorative ceramic . after I finished Oakland community college I went to Eastern Michigan University to study fine art , I had a privilege to learn from great professors Like Susan Stephesnson for Ceramic and Barry Avedan and Michael Zaratka for painting classes. and I graduated with B.F.A in double concentration Ceramic and painting and Minor in art History.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am married and had two children , I had to struggle to studdy and take care of my family , I didn’t have family here in the US at that time so I had to studdy and cook at night and drive my kids to their schools and go to the university while they were in school . later on I wanted to teach so I started looking for job to teach art , I was lucky my friend told me about pontiac art center so I went there to teach , Ceramic , painting and Mixed media , it was a blessing i care about the community so I did teach there for 22 years. I got to meet great wonderful students and their families.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love teaching , I got to help out students with diverse background , I had to get to know them and develop a great skills by teaching and learning from them as well. I had special challenged students mentally and Autistic children , I cared for them and helped them nurture and develop their creativities in art.
My artworks is Abstract in style for paintings and Mixed media , I work with Oil, Acrylic, watercolors as well as other Media . I like experimentaion in art , to think and create outside the Box , so I have done 3 D design paintings acrylic on canvas with variety of shapes and sizes that I keep on finding interesting venue to move forward and explore variety of technique and media.
What matters most to you?
Humanity .
I care about Humanity and people and everything to sustain and Help life to all , In art I reflect about Hunger , Homeless , war and peace .
we are all the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve , we are all one family we should always be kind and help each others to a better world to live in for generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artistilham.com
- Instagram: ilhamamahfouz
- Facebook: Ilham Badreddine Mahfouz gallery
- LinkedIn: Ilham Badreddine mahfouz
