December 8, 2005

Art through women’s eyes

First-time exhibit brings throngs to Almaden

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Georgia O’Keefe said “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

Haleh Mahbod was thrilled with the turnout at the “Art Through Women’s Eyes” exhibit. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

No truer words could be quoted for the first show of a local group of artists entitled “Art Through Women’s Eyes.” The collective artists are Victoria S. Ghahremani, Haleh Mahbod, Ida Samardar, Dokhi Faye Shehabi and Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar. The congenial, attractive women are all related.

But that’s where the similarity ends. Each artist presents a unique approach to her craft, but they all portray a calm and beautiful view of life by capturing a moment in time that creates a sense of relaxation. The expression of their art was displayed in more than 60 paintings of oil, acrylics and watercolor, pencil drawings, ceramic tile mosaics, pottery pieces and textiles. And they range from the age of 5-years-old to 70.

“Art Through Women’s Eyes” is a grassroots effort to promote women artists to exhibit and present their work in a supportive environment,” said Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar at her Almaden home where the artists’ work was displayed in her studio. “The show was really a collaborative idea. Women see art differently. We bring a calm and relaxing feeling to every day life.”

Victoria
A perfect pencil drawing of a Russian princess is hung high above landscapes, portraits and other colorful moments caught on canvas and paper. It is the 55-year-old work of Victoria Ghahremani, matriarch of Mahbod and Yaghmai-Samardar, grandmother to Ida. Her daughters credit her with their passion for creating art from a young age.

Ghahremani’s passions center on flowers and plants painted in oil, watercolor and acrylics with soothing strokes of color. But she is as effective with soulful portraitures and Lake Tahoe landscapes. At 13, she began studying oil painting with Iranian painter, Reza Samimi. She recently retired as a doctor and enjoys gardening in her backyard sanctuary where she finds much of her inspiration.

A patron visits with Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar and her husband, Mehran at the entrance to the “Art Through Women’s Eyes” exhibit.

“I am so proud of my daughters for starting this,” said Ghahremani.

Avideh
Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar’s display is a running history of her artistic pursuits whether moody pomegranates, fruit in a bowl ceramic tiles or individuals caught in time in watercolor.

“I enjoy the most simple things in life and try to capture them in my art,” said Yaghmai-Samardar. “Be it a watercolor painting of green apples scattered on the counter, or the blue color of the midnight sky used as a glaze on my ceramic pieces.”

The self-taught artist has displayed her paintings, glass art, ceramics and photographs in various individual and group shows since 1987. She works as a senior center director and also finds time to teach art at her daughter’s school, Simonds Elementary School. She has also created numerous commissioned ceramic mosaic murals and paintings as well as personalized decorative tile pieces.

Ida
Five-year-old Ida Samardar began painting when she was 1 and enjoys watercolor, tempera and acrylics, which she uses to create abstracts. Her new medium is clay, experimenting with various glazes in pleasing freeform shapes. She and her sister can often be found in their mother’s studio creating.

“I love to use colors,” said Ida. “And I paint my colorful dreams. I title them “Dream about a Field,” “Dream about a Playground” and “Running in Flowers.”

Haleh
Haleh Mahbod’s art captures special moments in landscapes, people or a “fascinating moment,” which she captures in acrylics and photography. Mahbod’s absorbing work was no doubt influenced from her mother, Victoria S. Ghahremani.

Dokhie Faye Shehabi’s painting of fellow artist Ida Samardar was painted three years ago.

“My work is just my way of telling a story through color and light,” said Mahbod. “Art is a way of capturing a special moment to tell forever. It does not have to be perfect as long as it tells a story.”

Dokhie
All of Dokhie Faye Shehabi’s art are from life experiences. Her romantic realism is captured is soft renditions of landscapes and portraiture. There is even one displayed of a wide eyed child. It is fellow artist Ida captured three years ago.

She was born in Iran and early in life developed an eye for drawing. She is now studying at the Grand View Art School in Saratoga. She is related by marriage to the other artists in the exhibit.

“Art has always been a part of my life as far back as I can remember,” said Shehabi. “They capture an inner vision of my passion for life and love of painting.”

During the “Art Through Women’s Eyes” exhibit, a steady flow of patrons admired the artists’ visions. They came from as far away as San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Danville and Santa Cruz.

Sales are brisk, the show a success.

“We are very excited about the exhibit,” said Avideh’s husband and supporter, Mehran. “We should have done it much earlier.”

“The time wasn’t right,” said Avideh. “Now it is.” Spoken like a true artist who knows you cannot hurry art.