When Sheri came here in 1978 she left behind her entire family and wouldn ’ t be allowed to see them again for fourteen years . She also had to face the challenges of school alone . In those early days of study Sheri ’ s English was minimal . She struggled to keep up . Originally she planned to become a doctor . Her lack of English , however , made courses in biology and other sciences impossible . She knew that she had to make a change and decided to follow her heart - much to the dismay of her parents .
“ After one semester I decided medicine was not for me and I switched my major to fine art . I always dreamt of being a painter … I know now , that my parents were very disappointed but I was determined . During my college years I worked very hard , long hours in the studio and finished college in three years .”
In those early years her artwork reflected the turmoil she felt thinking about the pain and suffering her family and the people in Iran were going through . She also felt the pain and of loneliness and separation as she worked to fit into a culture that was unfamiliar . Her art reflected her emotions . She created politically themed pieces in black and white . Most were etchings , pencil sketches , or prints .
Anyone familiar with Sheri ’ s work today knows that her art is nothing like it was in those early years . “ Now it is all in bright colors , images of women and couples
dancing and in love … Colors bring me happiness and I try to use bright and pure colors in my paintings ,” said Sheri .
She is widely known for her dramatic and emotional dancing figures . Her subjects are often women . This focus grew from the freedom she feels being here in the United States ; something she wishes for those back in Iran to experience someday .
“ My country Iran became a religious country , and women have to cover themselves in public and I try to paint woman in a way that exposes their souls ! I paint in acrylic on canvas . Since acrylic dries so quickly it gives me freedom of brush strokes and stops me from overworking my paintings .” Acrylic also gives her the ability to fill her work with vibrant pure color that radiates her excitement of artistic expression , something she willingly shares with others .
Sheri ’ s talent extends beyond her own work . For the last eighteen years she has taught private art lessons from her home in Morgan Hill . When asked why she became a teacher , Sheri said it was because of her son . “ When he was very young and at school , he would ask me to draw the cartoon characters for him and his friends . That is when I decided to teach them how to draw instead of drawing for them . I would teach on weekdays after school and clean up the room and get ready for the company for the weekend . My husband was very supportive and since my business was
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