Hey, I’m Shirin Donia.
A full-time artist for more than 20 years. As a toddler, I’d lie on the floor for hours, painting.
Today I paint people. Big, colorful and often with a wink.
Not planned. It just happened.
I had my first exhibition at 19 and sold several paintings right away. After that, I simply kept painting, without worrying much about showing my work in public.
Three years later, the next exhibition request came along, all on its own. So I asked myself: if this happens without me doing anything, what might be possible if I gave art more room?
So I tried it. Soon I couldn’t paint as much as I could have sold. And as the mother of a little boy, I also found the freedom to shape my own life.
I never actually decided to become an artist. I already was one.
From the studio out into the world.
Over the years came more than 17 series, many exhibitions, portrait paintings, commissions and a few pretty special projects. My paintings have found their way into collections all over the world.
And still, every new piece starts just like it used to: with an idea and a blank canvas.
Everyone knows about art.
You don’t need a degree in art history to know whether a painting speaks to you. You don’t even have to like it. Sometimes it’s enough if it makes you curious, surprises you or simply won’t let you go.
Either it speaks to you. Or it doesn’t 😉
Away from the canvas.
And who am I when I’m not painting? Probably best answered with ten things that are pretty typical of me.
10 things about me.
I can’t dance. I do it anyway.
Every chance I get. Tables included. Zero talent, full conviction.
Part-time hippie, full-time doer.
Silly stuff explicitly included.
Hardware store over shopping mall.
My tool cabinet is bigger than my shoe cabinet. And if something doesn’t exist the way I picture it, I just build it myself.
I love stories. Especially the real ones.
I’m not just interested in what people show, but in what moves them.
Mom of three.
Two of them are already grown up. When exactly did that happen?
I can leave things as they are, too.
In theory. In practice, I find something to make prettier almost everywhere. And yes, three millimeters make a difference.
A woman of her word.
I can definitely say no. But when it matters, I’m there. And not just while it’s easy.
If something interests me, I go all in.
I don’t just want to know how something works. I’d rather be able to do it myself, right away.
Celebrate the moments as they come.
And sometimes they come on a Tuesday. Friends, family, young and old: my house is often a revolving door. And I love it.
I’m happy to be proven wrong.
I have clear ideas. But if someone has a better one, I’m the last person to cling to mine on principle.
Enough about me.
Let’s talk art.
Maybe your painting is already waiting. Or we’ll paint it together.
Browse my series, pick an original or let’s create something new together.