We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fatima Young a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Fatima, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I received degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology and C.W. Post University in New York. I knew then I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally back then.

My first job out of college was painting manikins, then designing wraps for telephone books and later illustrating catalogs for an MRI company. They were creative in their own ways, but didn’t pay enough for me to continue on that path.

I took a turn to write promotion for a publishing company which turned into managing an art department in that publishing company. Another turn came when I took a job as a salesperson in another magazine publishing company. It catapulted me to becoming an associate publisher in New York. I changed from a shy girl to an executive.

The height of my money making career came when I started my own magazine publishing representative firm which I had for 18 years while my son was growing up. Though I had free rein, I was missing the creative element in my life.

It’s not until I retired that I started my second company, Fatima Young Art. My husband at the time supported my efforts and my art career. Oil painting became my medium of choice and I worked hard to find my style. Whether it was taking workshops on Impressionism or traveling to Europe to sketch and paint, I found myself immersed in the journey. It was now not about the money, it was about the joy of honing my craft. It was finally where I was supposed to be in my creative endeavors.

Do I make enough money to live? No, just enough for supplies, workshops and travel for art.
Do I love my job? More than I could have imagined.

I think I had to work hard at other things in order to find myself and make this idyllic life I have now. Lately the love of the hiking and the outdoors draws me to Plein Air painting. I paint mostly countryside and water scenes. however still enjoying still life and portrait painting in my home studio on an island in the Northwest. Life is good.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born of Russian heritage in Europe. It’s no wonder I was drawn to the Russian artists like Nicolai Fechin and Sergei Bogart early on.

I received degrees from F.I.T. and C.W. Post University in New York. My first career was mostly in Magazine Publishing. My second career is my art…Fatima Young Art. I sell my oil paintings through galleries, shows, on-line, First Friday events and even home receptions. Marketing is key for me..

Studying nature and simplifying it is my goal in Plein Air painting. My aim is to capture the freshness and rhythm found in nature. I use the palette knife to bring out earth’s rich moods and I use bold chroma to bring out brighter contrasts. One could say…my paintings are distinctively Russian impressionism with a twist of the sublime.

What sets me apart is that I paint what I want, what comes to me naturally, not what others ask me to paint. I explore different types of landscapes but I don’t waiver from my medium, water soluble oils. .Every painting I sign comes from the heart. Bringing joy into this world is what it’s all about for me now and it took a lifetime to get here. You can view my work at FatimaYoungArt.com

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is opening up your heart not only on the canvas but to others who are creatives as well. It’s not an easy road but if you can have comradeship it makes everything doable.

Seven of us artists have collaborated on exhibits of friendship and Art. Here’s our story:

We first met and painted together at Winslow Art Center on Bainbridge Island. When Covid-19 restrictions limited our in-person gatherings, we turned to Zoom and weekly prompts to stay connected as a community of artists. Over time, the group has had various paint-outs and exhibitions. Each artist’s work is a truly unique expression of their individual journey, showcasing their personal growth and creative style. The hope is that our paintings will inspire and delight viewers. We appreciate those who support the Arts.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of my most life altering art accomplishments happened early on through a USA Projects grant and the generosity of sponsors.

I was able to develop a series of 13 oil paintings which included musical instruments commonly used to express the Russian soul. From the piano to the balalaika, from the violin to the mandolin, each have meaning associated with my heritage. My aim was to explore and capture on canvas, the “passion” Russians have for music.

This work showed how my ancestors’ lives were contoured through music. This vision, “The Magic of Convergence”, aimed to share what happens when musical folklore and personal heritage collide with Russian Impressionism. The Russian Cultural Center was stage for my work with an Opening Reception in 2013. It was a very successful event and considered a musical symphony in another art form.

This was the first event that showcased my art and the deciding factor to continue on my new art career trajectory.

Contact Info:

• Website: FatimaYoungArt.com
• Instagram: FatimaYoung

Image Credits
Joanne Onorato, Tannis Moore, Nora Masters, Wendy Armstrong, Gigi Godfrey and Diana Benjamin.