Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ali Ghassan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ali , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Of course, but the process was a challenge. It came through sincere hard work in order to achieve it. I had to have patience, perseverance, persistence, and adherence to achieving the dream. It was not like that from the beginning. Since I am from Iraq and Iraq was under an economic blockade, people think about bread and not about luxury things such as art. That comes after a country’s situation is economically and politically stable, that is.
I did not find ideal conditions and did not find encouragement from everyone. Some people thought that I was living in an imaginary world, but because of my absolute belief in what I wanted to do and my strong adherence to that dream, the difficulties were easy for me to see past. In other words, I was able to dissolve the difficulties with a focused effort.
My experience was that of “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence”.
I hope my story can be inspiring for people to show them how I was able to achieve something great, as if I lived in one of the premier art centers of the world. Because of my persistence and perseverance, I have been able to overcome difficulties, live my dream, and focus on the life I want, while always insisting on providing the best. It would have been easier if I had been living in the United States from the beginning and had known a clear path, so what I aim to do now is guide my students to help them achieve their dream faster and provide the direction I did not have access to.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Ali has been named a “Living Master” by the prestigious Art Renewal Center. Few people in the world have achieved this distinction. Born in Babel, Iraq, Ali earned a master’s degree in Fine Arts at Babel University, studied in Italy and Russia, and was an internationally award-winning, professional artist before becoming a professor of Fine Arts at Babel University in 2008. Ali has taught art and sculpting for nearly 20 years. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions around the world and has earned him first-place awards in Iraq, France and the United States. Ali and his wife immigrated to the United States in 2014 and worked together to share their passion for teaching and restoration of the Masters’ art techniques. Through word of mouth, Colorado students found Ali and his commitment to ARC’s teaching philosophy, which ultimately gave rise to The REAL Academy of Art Colorado.

The REAL Academy of Art Colorado teaches the fundamentals of drawing, painting and sculpting using methods that have withstood the test of time. Based in Denver, RAAC is Colorado’s first and only art school certified by the Art Renewal Center (ARC), one of the world’s most respected fine art organizations. ARC is the foremost authority and evaluator of representational art schools. Schools earning its highly coveted seal of approval provide not only art instructors and teaching curricula of outstanding quality — but also nurture students whose artwork demonstrates mastery of fundamental skills.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The best reward is for people to know that I strive and struggle a lot with difficulties in order to reach my dreams and develop experiences. When people know how difficult it has been for me and recognize and appreciate the art that came from a very difficult and tiring path. With regard to students, I hope they appreciate what I do in order to make them successful. I strive desperately to provide the best for them and to be the best guide for them on the path to success.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Certainly, I hope to produce beauty that inspires many and educates human souls in order to elevate them to the best forms of humanity, in order to sing of the divine beauty that we have become aware of through everything around us. I also hope that I have been able to do something in this life that will be of benefit to those after me, through the enjoyment of the art that I have created or the educational services that I give to my students.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://realacademyartco.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realacademyofart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REALAcademyofArt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSRJtxZds-kqy06d4J2sptQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/real-academy-of-art-denver

Image Credits
Main Picture – Ali Ghassan – Founder, Creative Director Image 7 – James Myers – Instructor