Interview with Enzie Shahmiri by Adam P. Kennnedy
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Berlin, Germany. Soon after my birth, my parents wisked me off to Tehran Iran, where they lived at the time. From then on we moved a great deal, which led to living in Vienna, Berlin and Tehran at different stages of my life.
Where are you living now?
Laguna Hills, CA.
When did you start painting?
I drew and painted as a child, always filling my notebooks with art. It was not until 1999 that I realized I might be able to make a living doing what I love.
Was there someone or something that inspired you to paint?
I am drawn to faces like a moth to a light. This urge to capture an individual on paper or canvas has always been with me as far back as I can remember.
Did painting come naturally?
Since I have always painted, I knew some of the fundamentals and had a good eye for observation. When I decided to paint like the Old Masters of 19th century France though, I had to unlearn a lot of bad painting habits and really study the proper way of paint application to create convincing portraits.
Did you take a lot of art classes?
I studied art in college, but learned the most about portrait painting by taking repeated workshops with my mentor Mr. Marvin Mattelson. It is not the amount of classes you take that is important as is the quality of education that the artist receives. To assume that learning ever ceases for a realist painter is another misconception. The beauty of being an artist is to learn to conquer new challenges and grow with each piece that is created.
What are your inspirations for you subjects in your paintings?
Through my paintings I celebrate life, cultural diversity and the uniqueness of each individual whether young or old.
Your subject matters seem to revolve around people and cultures what is your inspiration for this?
I am very outgoing and love to approach people through conversations. The people I meet are all so interesting and have so much to share about themselves and their backgrounds which I find just fascinating. Through my encounters, I often learn about stories of others and when they involve a photograph of yet another interesting person, I am there to claim it for a painting.
As a classically trained painter do you only use these techniques in your paintings or do you include new techniques or different forms of painting?
I sometimes venture into unfamiliar territory just to give myself a break from the exactitude needed for commissioned portraiture or to try out a new approach just for the fun of it. To achieve the results that I admire in the master painters of the past, it is necessary for me to follow the same time honored practices to assure the highest quality and longevity.
You paint in black and white as well as color do you have a preference? And if so why?
Each and every painting I create starts out in black and white, also known as grisaille. It is a way to develop an under painting for future paint application. Over time I have found that some paintings just have a greater impact if they are kept in black and white.
When you have a commissioned painting do you work from photographs or life or both?
I work from both, but prefer to work from life, whenever possible. It allows me to get to know my Photographs are actually much harder to work with, since they always lack a lot of information a portrait artist needs. But with clients scattered around different parts of the USA and overseas and little children who cannot hold still, one quickly learns to make the best of even the worst reference photo.
How long typically does it take for you to paint one of your pieces?
It varies greatly on size, amount of detail involved and technique applied. When I receive a commission with a short notice and a fast approaching deadline, I work nonstop for very long hours and through weekends to finish the project. This means that I have finished small paintings in a week and larger ones in a month. Two months for a midsize painting with moderate detail and four for a larger scale with a lot of detail would be the norm.
Do you have a favorite subject you love to paint?
People who have beautiful eyes. Eyes are the gateway to the soul and I love nothing more than to see a set of eyes staring back at me from an otherwise unfinished canvas.
How do you balance the business end of painting with the creative?
I have full control over the creative end. My clients like my work, because I go the extra step to create not just portraits, but paintings that become a piece of art in their own right. I love to tell a narrative and spend a great time presenting my ideas to the clients before I ever put brush to canvas. Online marketing and handling other aspects of the business end, brings me in contact with so many people. This turns these chores more into social events, which I absolutely love.
Who are your favorite painters, either current or deceased?
The academic painters of the 19th century such as William Adolphe Bouguereau , Jean Léone Gérôme, Ludwig Deutsch and Gustav Bauernfeind rate the highest for their use of color and attention to detail, which is just breathtaking.
What advice would you give to young artists?
Learn to draw with exactitude and then find a mentor whose work you greatly admire and concentrate on learning all you can from that one individual.
Do you think that today’s preteens, teens are exposed enough to the world of art?
No. Constant budget cuts in schools have seriously deteriorated the art education for the young. As an artist, it is important to reach out to the younger generation and get them involved in the arts, through frequent museum visits, and events that promote the development of young artists.
Finally, is there any topic that you would like to comment on?
Yes, future goals. I believe that as a professional artist, we have to set goals. These goals can vary from gallery representation, increasing sales and achieving fame to helping others through our work by conducting fundraisers for special causes. In various degree of importance, I set these goals for myself and aim to increase the contributions I can make to people in need through my work.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity for this interview.