Heather Shirin, Fine ArtistAbout Heather Shirin
Heather Shirin is a creative mixed media painter. Shirin is pronounced 'sure-een'- it is Persian شيرين meaning "sweet, gentle and kind"... it is her middle name. She is named after her aunt, another talented artist, Shirin Rhyno (known as, Sherry Rhyno - since Shirin is usually mispronounced).
Heather works out of her home studio having attained her BFA in painting in 1997. She occasionally teaches a Collage & Mixed Media Workshop at the River's Edge and 301 Art Gallery.
Her current work is acrylic painted directly on deep wood birch panels, purposely allowing the wood grain to come thru. She is drawn to portraits of women, and is fascinated with Art Nouveau style. The goal is to capture emotion and beauty.... to make the viewer stop and reflect upon their own feelings when reviewing the work.
Her mixed media collage pieces use fine art paper, stamps, sheet music, photos, vintage ephemera, jewelry beads, buttons, old letters, poetry and acrylic paint. She paints in a layered collage style that usually has no preset outcome.
Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville NC.
"Each piece becomes my favorite as I create it, and each time I make a beautiful painting come to life - something inside me feels alive. This making of art - the process alone is what makes my heart sing."
Heather is happily married to the love of her life, designer and guitar builder Paul J. Neff of Laurelwood Guitars. They love living outside of Asheville NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in a small farm area called Mills River.
They moved in 2009 from Boston - leaving the snow, traffic and the hectic pace behind. They now live in an area surrounded by natural beauty, with a view of the Milky Way. They have three beautiful cats, who all love being in the studio. They have never been happier being artisans in an area that celebrates art and music.
The artists that have influenced her recent work include Gustav Klimt, and contemporary artists such as Kelly Rae Roberts, Audrey Kawasaki, Sabrina Ward Harrison and Amy Sol.
She illustrated a children's book, “Alex and the Amazing Recurring Nose Goblins”, and continues to sketch before each painting.
Heather is interested in group exhibitions, selling her line of note cards, magnets and prints and being represented in national galleries. If you are interested in learning more about Heather Shirin's work or would like to carry her line of art please contact Heather.
"Painting is my love, my passion....being in the studio just makes me happy."
Fine Artist - Wood Panel Paintings and Mixed Media Collage
