Born in Tehran, Iran, Shahla developed her passion for painting while studying Chemistry at university of Tehran and decided to minor in art. Shahla then worked under the private tutelage of two esteemed Persian artistes, Peyman and Fakhour for seven years; their expertise was to teach oil painting on canvas and classically detailed brush strokes.

In 1983, Shahla moved to San Diego, California ( where she still resides) with her family. There she continued and diversified her artistic education by enrolling in sketching classes at Mesa College. She soon moved on to San Diego State University for additional classes in life drawing, charcoal, human anatomy and jewelry design and became a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society. Shahla then met Jennifer Broomberg, and studied watercolor painting under her private instruction for three years. In addition, she attended numerous Watercolor Society workshops in watercolor painting.

Practicing  the art of painting for thirty two years has developed a confident hand with bold colorful strokes, focusing mainly on the face, eyes, and expressions, using tools Shahla learned through anatomy classes, she now creates artwork which visualizes emotion. Her paintings are done on canvas, wood, and payrus using multi-mediums such as charcoal watercolor, oil painting, acrylic, and pencil. Shahla is fluent in English, Farsi, Turkish, and German.

 She is a member of the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) artist Guild, San Diego Watercolor Society, market Street Group, and San Diego Institute of Art. Her work has been shown in Private Exhibition at Market Street Group, Persian Tea Room, Persian Cultural Center, Group Exhibition, San Diego Institute of Art Exhibition, and Spanish Village Exhibition in Balboa Park. In Fall of 2003, shahla was chosen to participate in the painting of the Mural for Peace, which is currently being shown throughout the world.

Shahla's work is currently being shown in the Museum of Living Artists for all to enjoy. She is actively painting and continues to share her talent with people across the wr

h Shahla Dorafshan
              

Email: Shahlaspainting@yahoo.com

Tel: 858-344-4852                                                                         

Professional Affiliations

MARKET STREET GROUP, San Diego, California                               Present

Full Time Member

SAN DIEGO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY, San Diego, California                       1989-1994

Volunteer Gallery Assistant

Membership with: San Diego Watercolor Society and Institute of Art in San Diego      Present

Education

SAN DIEGO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY, San Diego, California

Numerous workshops on watercolor painting

JENNIFER BROOMBERG, La Jolla, California

Three Years of Private Instruction

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, San Diego, California

40 Units in Life Drawing, Charcoal, Human Anatomy/Physiology, Sketching, Jewelry Design

2

PAYAM FAKHOUR, Tehran, Iran

Eight Years of Private Instruction

UNIVERSITY OF TEHRAN, Tehran, Iran

Bachelors of Science with a Major in Chemistry and Minor in Art