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In this charming interview with The Artist's Page the talented expressionist painter & mixed media artist Mina Hamidi tells us a little more about herself & her art.
- Interviewed by Lesley Wilkins
Q. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START CREATING ART?
After my graduation from Firdausi University. I started my art in Mashhad which is the second largest city of Iran.
Q. TELL US ABOUT THE FIRST, OR ONE OF THE FIRST PIECES, YOU WERE REALLY HAPPY WITH.
I had one of the greatest Iranian artist teachers. After two years of trying and practicing so hard, finally my teacher asked me to make a piece that has a woman and a glass in it. It was the first piece of art that I made and was really happy with. My teacher and me loved it, called "A lady with a glass".
Q. WHAT MEDIUM DO YOU WORK IN PRIMARILY, AND WHY?
My main medium is oil on canvas, I work with other mediums too, but I have a very strong feeling with oil...it's more challenging...more natural and more real to me, although I enjoy charcoal, acrylic, watercolor, & ink. I also love to mix different mediums and experience the beauty of all the materials. I chose the medium according to the subject or my feeling at the time of making any art.
Q. DO YOU HAVE FORMAL TRAINING?
After I finished that art school in Mashhad, when I moved back to Tehran, I attended great art masters classes like Mr Aydin Aghdashloo, Mr Yacob Amamehpich (for drawing) & Mr Samieeazar (art history). In Toronto I attended workshops with great Canadian artists Polin, and Garry Smith.
Q. WHAT DOES THE PROCESS OF MAKING ART DO FOR YOU? OR HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL?
Ah...art is my job, my joy of life and my medication. It's my identity. I cannot imagine what would I be without having the ability of making art.
Q. ARE THERE ANY RECURRING THEMES IN YOUR WORK?
Yes, my women......!
Q. HOW DO YOU GET INSPIRED TO START A NEW PIECE?
Rain...cloudy and cold weather...with a beautiful piece of opera...Oh I can"t stop myself of painting.
Q. WHERE HAS YOUR WORK BEEN SHOWN?
So far my work has been shown in Tehran, Mashhad, Vancouver...and some group shows in Toronto, but of course I'm always looking for more opportunities to show my works.
Q. WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?
In my own website www.minahamidi.com and in this beautiful website.
Q. ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR ART?
No, but I would love to hear how others feel about my art, and how they like my work.