Road
oil
55" x 28"

Emigrant Lake
oil
46" x 46 "

Oregon Coast #3
oil
28" x 55 "

Abbas Darabi

We are aware of our own existence and character.  We understand our nature based on experiencing our inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions through our work experiences in life.  My works of art are about my inner truths and an expression of  myself.  My paintings are memories of the past and places where I have lived.  I take photographs and draw sketches of different landscapes when the surroundings capture my interest.  These memories, photographs, and sketches have a special place in my mind.  I bring them back to life on my canvas.  My paintings are my impression of them. 

I was born in Tehran, Iran and moved to this country in my early 20’s.  Being new in this country was struggle and I spent my time learning about my new culture; painting was not a priority for many years.  Ten years ago, a friend reintroduced me to the world of art and I’ve been living in it ever since. I finished my Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with a focus on studio art and oil painting.  While I had many influential professors, I consider myself  a self-taught painter because I learn from the process of painting.  I discover things about colors, style and ways of painting.  I learn from my mistakes, which become a new beginning for me, not an end. 

My connection with nature and color is really important to my work.  Colors are crucial to every painter, but they are an essential part of oil paintings.  It’s important to understand how colors are improving the painting; without balanced colors and harmony in paintings you have nothing.

Darabi recently received his BFA in Studio Art, Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Idaho.  He is living in Ashland with his wife, who was born and raised here, and their kitties.  He is seriously pursuing his career in art, and should be considered an emerging artist for collectors.