Today we’d like to introduce you to Freydoon Rassouli.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Freydoon. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in the circle of Sufis and was influenced by the mystics of the east. I studied architecture in New Mexico and developed a successful architectural practice in Los Angeles. Although I seemed to be well established on the outside, my inner feeling and emotion were telling me that I was not happy in my life. My love was painting and I knew to be a painter meant to be a starving artist.
My frustration finally reached to a point that one night I gathered everything that belonged to my architectural practice and put them on fire. Starting with the Masters of Architecture degree on to all my business contacts, legal and financial documents, photographs and publications, burnt them all and started a new life as a “starving artist.” It was very difficult and painful to live a life of starvation after having been a successful architect, but I had burnt out all the bridges behind me so I would know the only way to go was to go forward.
It took about five years of hardship and total dedication to my love for painting day and night until I was able to financially stand on my feet. From then on, I have been climbing the ladder of success as an artist, a writer, and a speaker, guiding people to live a happy life. I have painted two large public murals in Los Angeles, one on Washington Blvd. in Venice (Angel of Unity) and another in Downtown LA (Creation.)
Has it been a smooth road?
I used to be the owner of successful architectural practice in Los Angeles. Although I seemed to be well established on the outside, my inner feeling and emotion were telling me that I was not happy in my life. My love was painting and I knew to be a painter meant to be a starving artist.
My frustration finally reached to a point that one night, I gathered everything that belonged to my architectural practice and put them on fire. Starting with the Masters of Architecture degree on to all my business contacts, legal and financial documents, photographs and publications, burnt them all and started a new life as a “starving artist.” It was very difficult and painful to live a life of starvation after having been a successful architect, but I had burnt out all the bridges behind me so I would know the only way to go was to go forward.
It took about five years of hardship and total dedication to my love for painting day and night until I was able to financially stand on my feet. From then on, I have been climbing the ladder of success as an artist,
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Rassouli Art Studio story. Tell us more about it.
I would consider myself an artist of life, one who lives and expresses whatever he does from his heart. I describe myself as an ogler and a libertine, as one who sees beneath the surface, one who is free to express what he sees and feels and imagines! Whoever you thought I was yesterday, you can be sure I will bring something fresh and new to today, and I will surely come up with something fun for tomorrow.
So far, I have authored 18 books on art, on poetry, on painting and on mysticism. I have spoken about creative process in person, in my retreats, through talks to groups, on the radio, in videos, and in films, but nowhere I can do it more magically than through my paintings. I throw rules to the winds and dive into the moment and savor it. My excitement for the process affects and stimulates everyone around me to do the same!
I paint with rags, with my hands, and use my favorite brushes when I feel moved to enhance what is happening on the canvas. I begin with a canvas primed with black paint and bring the light of vision to it, developing a relationship with the emerging image as I progress.
So who am I? I have been called a delight, a troublemaker, a rascal, a rogue, a legend, a messenger, a visionary, and an artist, but the description that endears me to those who know me is that of true friend of the heart. Those who are around me feel inspired, feel real and alive, and feel free to remember joy.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
As an artist, my canvases would remain around not only within the next 5-10 years but will be in this world forever as works of art. Change will take place in the form of having more followers and collectors, years after I am gone.
Today’s world is been becoming more and more fear-based, but this will not last forever. It will take a shift toward Hope Based, hopefully in the near future. My paintings, writings and discussions are a part of massive positive energy that will cause making the shift.
Pricing:
- Original artworks from $ 2,500 to $ 35,000
- Mixed Media on Canvas from $ 1,600 to $ 5,000.
- Limited Editions on canvas from $400 to $ 1, 200.
- Books from $10 to $50
- Oracle Cards around $20 to $ 25.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4642 Louise Ave. Encino, CA 91316 (with appointments only)
- Website: www.Rassouli.com www.NewDawnCollections.com www.AvatarFineArts.com www.FreydoonRassouli.com
- Phone: 8189950726
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/rassouliart/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Artist.Rassouli
- Twitter: twitter.com/hashtag/rassouli?lang=en
- Other: http://blogs.dailynews.com/arts/category/fusion-art/
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Image Credit:
Freydoon Rassouli
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