A Dream Come True

I had the thrilling honor of painting an image for the poster of a film made by one of my all-time heroes of cinema: Mohsen Makhmalbaf. From childhood his movies helped shape my cultural identity & arrested my imagination with breathtaking scenes in films like Gabbeh.  Time magazine selected Makhmalbaf's 2001 film, Kandahar, as one of top 100 films of all time. 

His fascinating latest film "The Gardener" is now being released in the U.S. See the trailer & more at the official site: http://www.thegardenerfilm.com 

The image for this poster was painted entirely by hand. Bravo to KDK Factory & Saeed Jalili for lovely design & typography work!!

Meet Under The Pagoda

This parasol-wielding lady makes her way through a garden on a bright sunny day. A reflection on my recent travels in the far east; the ground is composed of a textured lemon yellow -inspired by the beauty of intricate Japanese paper- overlaid with translucent sakura blossoms in various delicate hues. 

This painting measures 80cm x 100cm, & is available FOR SALE. Don't be shy, all inquiries welcome at shirinsahba @ gmail.com.

Adventure Awaits

I've been traveling quite a bit & gathering inspiration from some exquisite countries...My latest favorite destination was Japan, with all of it's beautiful finery, blossoms & delicate details...It was breathtaking. This painting is of my two lovely muses (Jackie & Jay), & was inspired by Rothko's ethereal blending of reds & blues, as well as Monet's almost abstract renditions of his Japanese garden in Giverny; in which he also employs that curious combination of colours.

This painting measures at 30" x 50" & is SOLD.

Vignette + Monks

A little Spring vignette from my home/studio. The gaggle of prayerful monks keep me company...The giant trunk is a Chinese antique, but I like to refer to it as my Pandora's box.

Interview in The Friday Times

For those of you from Pakistan, I hope you got to see this interview with me in The Friday Times newspaper. See it online HERE. Or you can see Sonya Rehman's (the talented author) original version on her site HERE.

Mama

Yet again, it is that time of year when I remember my mama's absence so keenly. I remember when I smell blossoms, when I put brush to paper, when I hear a certain song, when I forget how to iron a shirt properly or how to cook a certain dish the right way, or when I glance at the phone forgetting she won't call. But she is so deeply ingrained in my very essence that I feel her close always.

When she was admitted to the hospital she insisted that I shouldn't stop painting. & so I painted her journey towards the light. In each painting she was traveling towards somewhere mysterious & wonderful..& I continue forever to paint this journey of life. I imagine she is smiling at us sweetly over her shoulder...& the view ahead is...magnificent.
*Thanks to my sweet brother Naysán for the photo of him with mama & my uncle Keyvan.

Flora + Fauna no.1

The ground of this painting is bursting into prismatic blooms & intricate colourful little birds signifying the coming of Spring at last! Our cycler is hurriedly whizzing towards her destination as her scarlet dress billows behind her against an aquamarine tinted sky. Where is she off to now?  Inspired by the detailed & delicate tapestries of India & Mexico.

This painting is available for sale SOLD. It is circular in shape & measures 31.5" inches.