My Art Journey Story...

self portrait.jpg
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.
start.jpg

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
hana f.jpg

2011 to 2014 I was doing oil painting exclusively.
painting 15n.jpg

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 :)

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h1sprywtg
Hello @rainwalker

You have been upvoted and resteemed by @art-trail as one of the top artistic picks of the day. Your post will be submitted to be considered by the SteemTrail community for their upvote and to earn Trail Coin.

For more information about joining the Art-Trail and SteemTrail community, join us on discord.

oh wow, thanks guys I appreciate it :)

Hello @RainWalker,

Congratulations! Your post has been chosen by the communities of SteemTrail as one of our top picks today.

Also, as a selection for being a top pick today, you have been awarded a TRAIL token for your participation on our innovative platform...STEEM.
Please visit SteemTrail to get instructions on how to claim your TRAIL token today.

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Happy TRAIL!

Wow this is outstanding... thank you so much guys I didnt see this coming. What a welcoming community you have here i love it :)

Hello Salem, welcome to Steem! :-)

Thank you ^_^

Welcome once again! Thanks for the verification on Twitter. You have some great work. Do keep posting your latest work on Steemit :)

Thank you for the suggestion @liberosist. Happy to learn how things works here and will post my work on Steemit from now on. Its such a warm and welcoming place :)

Welcome to steemit @rainwalker great words of wisdom. thanks for sharing your story and beautiful art pieces you have there...

Thank you @dreamland. Glad to be in this warm and welcoming place ^_^

Welcome to steemit @rainwalker ! Nice to see you around, looking forward your work =) Best wishes.

Welcome to steemit @rainwalker. Fantastic name. You will do very well here.

@gringalicious Thank you. People are so nice here. I like it already :)

Welcome to Steemit! :) Beautiful artwork and very inspiring story!

Thank you @nikolina I really appreciate your kind words :)

hi @rainwalker welcome to steemit

Thanks @mars9 :) glad to be here

you are welcome

wow fina foto thanks

This post has been ranked within the top 50 most undervalued posts in the first half of Feb 27. We estimate that this post is undervalued by $5.33 as compared to a scenario in which every voter had an equal say.

See the full rankings and details in The Daily Tribune: Feb 27 - Part I. You can also read about some of our methodology, data analysis and technical details in our initial post.

If you are the author and would prefer not to receive these comments, simply reply "Stop" to this comment.

Welcome to Steemit as a new artist in this community.

Thank you @kalemandra glad to see other artists here :)

Amazing work! You mentioned you found out about Steemit a couple of days ago - how did you hear about it?

I saw a comment on Facebook, someone shared a blog post and it was from Steemit so i got carious :)

Cool thanks:)

Soul_Eater_43 The Cryptofiend tweeted @ 27 Feb 2017 - 14:23 UTC

My #Art Journey Story... — @Steemit steemit.com/introduceyours…

#newusers

Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.

You've inspired me, thank you for telling your story and welcome to Steemit!

Thank you @elementm hearing that really cheered me up ^_^ thank you

I'm glad, I'll be looking out for your posts :) !

Welcome to Steemit-- I hope you will enjoy your time here, it is a nice community, and a good place for creative expression. Inspiring story-- your artwork is quite beautiful!

Thank you @denmarkguy, by the way i just checked your blog, 2 posts in and i followed right away. Such inspiring posts with beautiful photos.. Looking forward to reading the rest :)

A warm welcome to the creative Steemit community I look forward to seeing your posts.

Thank you @arthuradamson Glad to meet other artists here :) followed

Steemit is a great platform for artists as they are highly appreciated here. I think you will do well. Good luck.

I was delighted with the reception its absolutely heartwarming :)

Talent, originality and integrity are valued highly here on the Steemit platform. Just be yourself and you will be welcomed with open arms. Welcome to the real internet. Here is like no other place on the web.
Well you will soon discover that your self.
I will follow you so that your posts come into my feed.
Again, welcome.

Followed back, love to see your work as well and thank you for the advice i will keep it in mind :)

Welcome on the Steem, @rainwalker. We love to have artists on the Steem. Do you need help?
Here you are, a FAQ for Steemit.
Minnows, Dolphins and Whales
Including Images In Your Post
Password and Keys
Please feel free to ask if you have questions. Happy steemin.

Thank you :) I actually was looking for a way to include a youtube link.. but sometimes when i open a new post i just cant find the editor button to include a link. Other times I do. and can i include a link after posting ? or images?

I never added a video but try this:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@maryanok/how-to-add-video-from-youtube-on-steemit
After posting you are able to edit the posting. You can edit, whatever you want to. Just click „Edit“ below the article.

Thats the problem.. the "Editor" doesnt show up for me neither before nor after for some reason

What happens when you click in the upper right part of the window on „Submit a Story“? You should get the editor then.

Starting a new post yes it shows up but the min i write even a letter it disappears and never comes back

Stunning art work! Welcome Rainwalker! (;

Thank you ^_^ glad to be here

Editor disappeares:
Hi @rainwalker. I had to open a new reply–chain because it is still limited to 6 replies. In a few days this reply–issue will be solved. There will be a software update and the reply limitation will have gone.

Regarding your editor–problems I have no idea. Never heard before editor disappears with the first letter. Check your browser. Make a refresh. Use another browser. The mistake is somewhere in your equipment.

Hmm i tried it on different browsers it worked .. just not chrome
Thank u for all ur help :)

You are welcome, @rainwalker. Ask, if you want to know… Steemit is not an easy thing. A lot of traps. But we help each other.

Thank you for all ur help :) i know im way over my head with the whole power ups, voting system and steem thingies.. but hopefully i will learn as i go on .. hopefully :D

You are welcome. Steem slowly. Step by step. First read, what attracts you. The main thing for beginners is to read, vote what you like and write comments. Then think about your first posting. The Steem is for bloggers. They earn Steem. The Steem ist for readers. They earn Steem by commenting. Interact with the guys you've read and buid up your preferred community (followers). Take time for this. No reason for any hurry. Do not overvote! 40/24h is the limit. Here you will find your upvote–counter. Just plug in your avatar's name in the upper left field and wait, till the red number in the upper right disappears. Then you know your recent upvote–quote. Every question is welcome, @rainwalker. We get paied Steem for conversation as well!

Thank you you have been a great help :)

Welcome to Steemit! :))

Whoah! Welcome to Steemit. We hope you are successful here.

@darthnava Thank you ^_^ I like what im seeing already. beautiful community

Hey there, Salem! Welcome to Steemit!
Your art is beautiful, I look forward to see more.

Oh i just saw and upvoted your tooth fairy i loved it. thats a nice concordance ^_^ thank you and looking forward to see more of your art as well

Hey cool! I'm glad you liked it. :)

you have immense artistic ability!