Maha Baeshen is a distinguished Saudi Woman artist, influenced to a great extent by the works of legendary artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Pablo Picasso. One thing is sure about Baeshen; she is a very busy woman. In addition to being an artist, she is also a writer, a poet and a TV host on the Lebanese station, LBC. She describes herself as a follower of the Modern school, which concentrates on light and abstract. Baeshen is always searching for something new. Her ambitions know no limits; faith and patience are her most powerful weapons in the face of despair. Unlike many of her countrywomen, her hobbies are various. She likes horse riding and diving, she also enjoys sight seeing and visiting historical sites. Q: When did you first realize that you were destined to be an artist? A: After my graduation from university, I started painting things accurately. I was getting better every time, adding more details. After my graduation, I had plenty of time so I took training courses in Jeddah and Britain. Q: What inspires you to paint? A: I have always admired the works of great classic artists like da Vinci and Picasso. I particularly liked tableaus that featured a classical reality. Q: Working in four different jobs: an artist, a writer, a poet and a TV host, How has that enabled you to develop? A: It took me to four different worlds, or dimensions, each of which complements the other. Q: Which one would you consider your full-time Job? A: I have no full-time job as most of my time is evenly divided between fine arts, writing, poetry and TV producing. Q: When you feel like you're facing a dead end while working on one of your paintings, how do you react? A: I keep my cool and I overcome it at the end. We are all susceptible to both failure and success. So, it's always better to be patient and have faith. Q: Were you influenced by any other artists, writers, poets or TV anchors? A: I always try to take the best from everything and everyone rather than follow someone's steps; the only person I wish to be is myself. Q: How can artists be innovative when they focus on sales rather than art? A: If the sole purpose of an artist is making money, his work will be empty, since it's nothing more than a business to him, while those who get emotionally involved in their work usually end up with quality material. Q: What can you tell us about your latest works? A: I participated in events inside and outside the Kingdom. We had a group exhibition last Ramadan at Ibda' Gallery, Jeddah. I also took part in the Exhibit organized in Cairo by the Saudi Embassy there. As for writing, I published a collection of 12 short stories in Cairo, in addition to a prose-poetry book titled “A Woman from the East”, which I published in Beirut. And of course, I'm hosting a show on LBC channel. Q: How do you see the progress of fine art in the Kingdom? A: There is an outstanding progress in the art movement here; the demand on arts is really high, which was not the case in the past. Q: would you sell your paintings to someone who doesn't possess enough artistic insight? A: When I paint a tableau and put or print my imagination on it, I feel satisfied. And after finishing it, I feel that couldn't have done any better. So, I wouldn't sell any of my paintings to any one that doesn't apprehend them. Still, if any one is willing to spend a large amount of money to buy a painting, that means he appreciates it and will make sure it will be preserved and kept as it should, it would probably be more like jewelry to such a buyer. Q: How can an artist make his/her way in the world? A: An artist must stand first on firm ground, to be recognized / succeed locally before thinking of his/her way into the world and no doubt this is a dream which all artists have. Q: Do you care to attend exhibitions in the Kingdom? A: I can'nt attend all the exhibitions that I would like to attend, since I have a very busy life. However, I try my best to do so. Q: Do you have any advice for beginners? A: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I would say: Stick to your own style, be your self, patience is really important, and so is the search for something new. __
