In this thought-provoking interview, Hayam Elsayed reflects on a life shaped by a deep passion for fine art and an enduring pursuit of creative growth. From an early fascination with art to advanced studies in Florence, Elsayed’s journey has been a testament to how inspiration and dedication can transform artistic expression. Through encounters with diverse artistic movements and the influence of the Renaissance masters, a profound appreciation for emotion and technique has emerged. Elsayed’s work captures the essence of human connection, exploring how emotions resonate through brushstrokes, colors, and textures.

Throughout the conversation, Elsayed delves into the balance between raw talent and the skills refined through education and practice, sharing insights into the challenges and rewards of a creative career. With a focus on authenticity, persistence, and passion, this interview reveals the philosophy and strategies behind Elsayed’s approach to art, offering valuable lessons for artists and art enthusiasts alike.

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How has your upbringing and cultural background influenced your artistic journey and creative expression?

Fine art has been my passion since I was young.  As I grew up, I realised how beautiful art is. As time passed, I saw a lot of different art pieces and I started to get inspired. I learned more, while studying in Florence, and I was thrilled by all the art I saw around me. I could feel the painting, the colours, and the strokes of the brush that were clearly seen on the portrait itself. Looking back at my life, before art, I see how my perspective on art has completely changed. In all factors of life, inspiration is a seminal tool for creation and I saw that art is an expression.. an expression of feelings and emotions. The more I expressed myself through my art, the more I realised that a soul gets touched by a painting. If you look closely, you feel so many emotions running through you.

Discuss the balance between innate creativity and the skills honed through education and practice.

For any artist to grow in this career, there are two main factors: dedication and passion. Passion is the driving force that will fuel your dedication and motivate you to pursue your art calling. When you paint with love, your talent and skills will always seek abundance and ever settle in one place. That love will lead you to the right places and tools that will enhance you as an artist and intensify your art message. 

Share your thoughts on pursuing a creative career, despite potential risks, versus more conventional career paths.

Pursuing a career as a painter, carries a unique blend of rewards and risks. The allure of being a painter lies in the freedom to express your inner vision, to create works that resonate with others, and to contribute to culture in a deeply personal way. However, these benefits often come with significant uncertainty and challenges. While the journey can be tough, building a network of fellow artists, curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts can lead to unexpected opportunities. Over time,  I gained recognition within artistic communities, leading to exhibitions, collaborations, and a deeper connection with the wider world of art. Pursuing a career as a painter requires a great deal of passion, perseverance, and tolerance for uncertainty. It’s not a path for those seeking stability or predictability.

However, for those who are driven by a deep love for the creative process, the possibility of making a lasting impact, and the joy of artistic expression, the rewards of a painting career can be profound and fulfilling. At the end of the day a  more conventional career might be appealing if you prioritize financial stability. These careers provide a clearer trajectory and often come with tangible rewards. that allows for a more predictable lifestyle. Yet, they may not offer the same level of personal satisfaction, fulfillment, or sense of meaning that many find in a career in the arts. 

Discuss your strategies for staying motivated and continually finding inspiration in your artistic practice.

Staying curious and keeping an open mind helps me break comfortable patterns. Exposing myself to new things either through travel or reading or seeing theater or just talking with others and hearing their stories all these things, and more, helps to stimulate and feed my mind. My inspiration comes from distinct features on a person; their face, the way they laugh, cry, and all reactions that they go through a human’s face. Studying in Florence, I was thrilled by all the art I saw around me. I could feel the painting, the colors, and the strokes of the brush that were clearly seen on the portrait itself. 

Elaborate on the creative process: is it an outpouring of the soul, a free flow ofthe mind, or a combination of both?

The creative process involves developing new ideas and addressing challenges. Creativity can help you contribute inventive ideas to your initiatives, achieve short and long-term goals, solve everyday problems and enrich your life. Understanding this innovative and artistic process, its stages, the benefits of the process and how to make the most of it can help you realise the significance of creativity in your everyday life.

Describe your quest for uniqueness in your art. How do you distinguish your work from others?

I believe that all artists have their own unique idenity that makes them standout. However, if I am going to speak specfically of what makes me standout, I would say that it’s my presistance to paint what I am passionate about rather than painting what’s familair. At the beginning of my career, I was advised from many individuals in the art scene to not limit myself to portraits, however it was my heart’s calling and the reason for my growth as an artist.

Share an experience of discouragement and its impact on your creative output.

Self-doubt definitely plays a role, but it can be empowering to know that not everyone is going to love your technique or subject, and that is ok. It means you are getting at something interesting and something different. As an artist, it isn’t my  job to sell the most mass-produced canvases at Target. My job is to say something. 

How do you think social media platforms influence the way art is created and perceived today.

One thing is clear, social media is redefining how the art world does business. In the past year, over 80% of art buyers bought fine art online, with almost half of online buyers using Instagram for art-related purposes. Never before has an artist had the power to get into a conversation directly with their audience. This power comes in the form of Facebook and Instagram, and I don’t think it’ll be changing anytime soon.

Curbing traditional means of communication, social media allows you to speak with your followers about who you are and what you are making. Someone can inquire about a piece, and in an instant, it’s sold. And, with one fateful “follow,” the respected eyes in the industry can consider your work on a daily basis.

In what ways do you find art to be therapeutic, either for you as the creator or for your audience?

Art is healing because it forces you to forge a connection between your mind and your body. Art-making accesses both mind and body to promote healing. Every time you sit down to  paint a picture, you’re using mental processes in a physically engaging activity.

Offer five pieces of advice to artists who are experiencing discouragement orcreative blocks.

✧ Never be afraid to work in public and always work from life whenever possible. Painting from life teaches you how to see, you become more adept at discerning values, color and composition. Working from photos, particularly if you are a beginner, can stunt your creative growth.

✧ Avoid competitions, contests and measuring yourself by how many shows you've gotten into or awards you've won.  Seek validation internally, you will never please everyone.

✧ Paint only that which interests you in the way you choose to paint it.  Don't change your approach to gain sales, popularity or acceptance. You will never do your best work if you do.

✧ Give up comparisons. You are always going to be better at some things than other people, and worse at other things. Dwelling on either isn’t going to get you anywhere. It can stifle your creativity as an emerging artist to compare yourself to someone who is twenty years into their career, and it can stunt your growth to compare your work to someone who is just starting out.

✧ Instead of focusing on how you stack up next to someone else, invest that energy into comparing your recent work with the work you made six months ago, a year ago and five years ago. Have you grown? And where do you want to see yourself six months, a year, and five years in the future?

If you could experience life in a different artistic era, which one would you choose and why?

It’s hard to say because of the wide variety of periods and how every one of them started something special, for me I would say that I appreciate the Renaissance just because it was the rebirth in Europe after the dark ages and many great musicians/artists came under the light. Impressionism was beautiful too, bringing a whole new perspective to the playground. It was an incredible time of beauty, blossoming with creativity and curiosity. The Renaissance era also witnessed the discovery, and the inventions of such as paper and printing.  The period saw remarkable advancements in art, with figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael introducing techniques such as perspective, chiaroscuro,  and anatomical accuracy.

What are some upcoming projects or plans you are excited about?

I am working on my solo show. My current project aims to represent the fleeting beauty of emotions and how a moment in time becomes a fractured image or memory which flickers on the edge of your mind. By using light effects.  

What superpower would you choose that aligns with your artistic endeavours and why?

If I could choose a superpower to align with my artistic endeavors, it would be the ability to instantly manifest any idea into reality. This superpower would allow for immediate translation of abstract concepts into tangible creations, removing barriers between thought and execution. It would encourage a seamless flow of creativity, enabling both artists and audiences to experience ideas in their purest form, unencumbered by technical constraints or limitations. This could spark a new wave of artistic innovation, where imagination is the only boundary.

How would you like to be remembered in the art world?

If  I were to be remembered in the art world, I’d hope to be seen as a catalyst for creativity and exploration—someone who sparked new ways of thinking, collaborating, and experimenting with ideas. Whether through facilitating creative dialogue, offering inspiration, or challenging conventional boundaries, my goal would be to encourage artists to push the limits of what’s possible and find deeper connections with their own work and with others.

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Hayam Elsayed’s artistic philosophy highlights the power of art as a tool for expression, healing, and connection. By embracing both the risks and rewards of a creative career, Elsayed demonstrates the importance of staying true to personal passions while continually pushing boundaries. The emphasis on honesty, persistence, and the willingness to experiment has not only shaped a unique artistic voice but also fostered a deep engagement with the art world.