Hello everyone
My name is Salem (also known as the Rain Walker). I come from a small country on the Mediterranean Sea called Lebanon.
I’m a self-taught artist who never had a chance to go to art school due to financial issues and family issues. Art wasn’t much appreciated back when I finished school in early 2000’s and it was looked down upon as a career. I had to draw for many years in secret while doing a mundane job and taking courses in Architecture and Graphic design.
In 2009, I had some health issues that lead me to the ER with a troubled heart. I remember when I was on the hospital bed thinking about my life and what I really want out of life, the only thing that came to mind is I want to be an Artist. It’s all I ever wanted.
That day I came home, and I decided to take a leap of faith and go all in. This was my first drawing.
I knew it was a long way to go to become a pro artist. But I was determined to do it no matter what. Life is too short to not be able to do what you love. Art is a blessing and a curse, a blessing in that it will change your life and make it better, and a curse that no matter how far you try to escape it, it will always hunt you down and get you back to it.
2009 to 2011 I only did pencil portraits
2011 to 2014 I was doing oil painting exclusively.
And since 2015 I went full digital, started my Youtube channel (/c/SalemShanouha) and my Facebook page (/salemshanouha/).
7 years after that day, I still have a boring day job, but once I get back home, I work on my art. Studying, researching and developing my skills as an artist with the help of the art community online. Even though I never had a chance to go to an art school, with the help of some amazing artists out there I was able to advance my skills and do some pieces that I’m proud of.
I found out 2 days ago about Steemit, and it was really interesting for me to try it out. I will post some of my work here, along with videos when I have them.
Hope you like what I have to offer and I would appreciate all the feedback from the wonderful community of Steemit.
See you around :)