Oh Baby!

We are very excited about a tiny future baby arrival! I'm nearly halfway there. I have been busier than ever painting away, feeling more inspired than ever & plan to keep painting after baby arrives. We took this photo this weekend with a little nod to the album cover from the real "The Mamas & The Papas".

A Day with Mama

A mama is fetching water to take home across a calm landscape, while her little one pitter patters hurriedly behind her; intent on helping her as best she can. The soft blue textured sky melts into a warm glow, while the varying shades of cyans, indigos & vivid red pattern in the ground dance playfully. Inspired by my adorable nieces & their amazing mamas, & the beautiful & intricate textiles of both India & Mali. 

This painting measures 31.5" (inches) in diameter, & is available SOLD.

Vroom Vroom

Hurtling down a beautiful road on a lovely day, off on yet another adventure....Inspired by a dear friend who really really adores his very fast automobiles, & his beautiful little family! (I wonder if he would approve of my affinity for mint condition vintage Fiat 500 cars?)....
This painting is 27" x 27" & is SOLD.

Bold as Love

                           

She is hurriedly floating through the prismatic landscape on this gorgeous glowing day, adorned in her favorite caftan. The pattern in the ground gently unravels in an intricate flurry of petals & cypress trees, overtop washes of vibrant colours. Inspired by the enchanting light of the Mediterranean & the purity of Indian textile patterns.

This painting is 30" x 30" & is available for sale  SOLD.

The Party

A triptych honouring the seasons that turn & turn...I often take the beauty of each one for granted. I grew up with the cool Mediterranean winters with their majestic calm & beauty, with all their promise of sweaters, coats & hot choco. I hope you're keeping warm this winter. & remember, there is always the hope of spring after a long bitter winter...

These paintings are each 36 x 36" & are available for sale SOLD.

The Wandering Maharajah

One can't help but wonder why he is aimlessly wandering the blue city upon his best elephant, contemplating a single crimson bloom grasped delicately by his fingertips. Perhaps he is in love? Overhead is a yellow sky melting into tangerine, & the ground is laden with cobalt blue flowers with soft pink detailing. Inspired by the blues of Jaipur & the elaborate details of royal Mughal jewelry & clothing. 

This painting is 30" x 30" in size, & is available For Sale SOLD. 

Always, Mama

Where you are there is no time & space, but another earthly birthday of yours has arrived, & I'm thinking of you mama. I remember how you used to coo the words "my sweetheart", or how you'd call your eldest "sunny". You have granddaughters now that have the same sparkle you had in your eye...But you already know that. Please continue to weave your silver thread of light into the fabric of our every day lives. Happy Birthday mama! I love you.

A Grander Giveaway!

Hi lovely people: I promised I would do another international giveaway this year, so here it is. This time I'm giving away, not a print, but an original painting. It's titled Raindrops & measures 40 cm x 40 centimeters. I worked with overlapping colours & even some shimmering silvers so to mimic raindrops catching multi-coloured lights on a cool day.

This giveaway IS NOW CLOSED. 

The Cavalier Swimmer

She has spontaneously decided to take a swim amongst the phosphorescent fish, darting through the bright mediterranean waters, while her red dress floats effervescently around her. Her companion watches on quite amused... The sky reflects the hues of sunset in luminescent peaches, pinks, yellows & tangerines. I have recently become enamored with a new line of colours by the company that creates my paints, as they are unparalleled in vibrancy & I just adore how this painting glows in different lights. A special homage to Miró, one of my favorite artists.

Please click on images to enlarge. This painting measures 30" x 40" & is available FOR SALE SOLD. 

Casaviva

 Oh wow! Our home is featured in the September issue of design magazine Casaviva. 

Brazil Dreaming

I'm back from an Italian (gelato-filled) summer, & I feel very inspired by all that sunshine & beauty. Here is a painting dedicated to a darling gentleman I knew from Brazil while growing up, whose cockatiel "Rizi" I would sometimes bird-sit. You can see the cockatiels scattered in the ground amongst the multicoloured foliage.

This painting is 31.5 " in diameter & is available for sale SOLD.

Anniversary!

8 years of marriage with this guy! 

The Falconer

On this beautiful summer day, a lesson in falconry is taking place near a tangerine-hued ornate little temple. The delicate sunset sky creates a multicoloured glow while the ground is laden with detailed azure foliage & bluebirds. Inspired by the incredibly intricate illuminated manuscripts of the Mughal empire. 

This painting is circular in shape & measures 39" inches (100cm, larger than usual) in diameter & is available for sale SOLD.

La Dolce Vita: The Orient

 I can't believe it's been four years since our move to the far east. I have found so much inspiration in the rich heritage that can be found in every beautiful detail, whether simple or intricate. I've had a really visually rich year; travels to Tokyo, London, Shanghai, Italy & Israel have inundated me with beauty from every side, & I'm bursting at the seams with curious new ideas for paintings. Can't wait for the next adventure!

Charmed, I'm sure.

On this fragrant Mediterranean evening, with all the grace of a ballerina; she is carefully picking orange-blossoms. Across the way a little bird perched on a cypress tree introduces himself to a curious observer. The delicate & intricate pattern of leaves, blossoms & birds in the ground is directly inspired by antique Chinese techniques of mother-of-pearl inlaid in black/wine lacquer. The multi-hued flowers glint & glimmer while catching the light. The sky consists of vivid gem-hues of turquoise fading into ultramarine blues. 

This painting is circular in shape & measures 31.5" inches & is available FOR SALE SOLD. 

Flora + Fauna no.3

A barefoot woman is riding her regal horse across a field of delicate petals & leaves in different shades of lapis, cobalt & turquoise; set against the backdrop of a luminous sunset in brilliant shades of vermillion, garnet & magenta. This horse is painted in the style of ancient Mughal empire miniatures found in the pages of illuminated manuscripts. 

This painting measures 31.5" inches in diameter, & is 
SOLD. 

Flora + Fauna no.2

An elegant mama & son are making their journey through a menagerie of exotic blooms, foliage, birds & animals. The vivid sky is set aglow in shifting hues of delicious aquamarines & limes. The pattern is inspired by the delicate tapestries of India & bold embroidery of Mexico.

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

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 SOLD. 

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.