is a renowned artist who has exhibited all over the world. Quite an accomplishment for an economist who took a risk on herself and her art. "Back then it wasn't acceptable to just study art," reminiscences Madkour. She worked her way through the political economy academia to obtain her masters from the American University in Cairo (AUC) and proceeded to work successfully in the development field. But the artistic streak wouldn't leave her. "I took art classes simultaneously with my masters studies," she says, "it was wonderful." In 1981, she decided to focus on her art. "It was a bold decision," she explains "but my husband was quite supportive despite the fact that our household income was cut in half when I resigned from my job at the Industrial Development Center for Arab States." As the years passed, Madkour was able to prove herself to the extent that she was asked to do a number of illustrations to go with the livre d'artiste, "Arabian Nights and Days" of the late Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz , published by the Limited Editions Club, NY in 2005. The illustrations have a special place in her heart. However, Madkour stresses the fact that while being appreciated is an amazing sensation, "true pleasure is manifested while painting." Nonetheless, "it takes real discipline to become a painter," she vehemently explains. "I work in my studio for at least six hours everyday and through this routine I am able to produce." She added that Naguib Mahfouz used to hold a pen and a paper and try to write even if he "was not inspired". Madkour is a big advocate of mixing different schools of art as it gives her a sense of freedom. "One should never obsess with just one form of art, but rather experiment to avoid becoming mundane. Known for her landscapes and ethereal paintings, Madkour is presenting a new edge in her work with her coming exhibition: faces of women. "I have painted around 16 canvases showing the inner feelings of women." As for the artistic environment in Egypt, Madkour sees an active commotion on the field with all the new emerging artists and the increase in buying art. However the sensitive spirit of the artist in Madkour seems to be bruised by the overall harsh reality in Egypt. "I am not very optimistic about our country," she sighs, "creativity needs to be nurtured by freedom of thought. Something that's, unfortunately, missing in our society." Madkour currently exhibits faces of women at Safar Khan Gallery from 8-28 March
