For me, painting is about freedom.  It is a joyful escape from reality in to the boundless world of creativity.  Born and raised in Iran, in a strict and religious country, I developed the desire to rebel against restrictions early on in my life.  Also, having experienced war and hardship made me long for freedom and security.  My search for freedom led me to America and eventually to the realm of art.  I found painting to be a very liberating experience and it gave me the opportunity to express myself in a very creative and special way.  Although I received accademic training, I broke away from tradition and escaped to the free land of abstraction.  The only realistic element that found it's way into my work is the universal symbol of freedom, the Bird. 

Shakiba