Aesthetics
Custom Painting
A symbolic painting created to celebrate the union of two cultures. Inspired by Persian miniature storytelling, the piece portrays two lovers meeting beside a river that flows between them — a living thread of love, continuity, and devotion.
Project details
Where the Story Begins
This project began with a conversation with Mahan about what she envisioned for the painting. She wanted a piece that would symbolize her marriage and relationship — something that honored both cultures that shape their story: her Persian heritage and Garrett’s Western background.
Rather than creating a purely decorative piece, the intention was to create something meaningful — a painting that would tell the story of their union through landscape, symbolism, and narrative.
The Vision
Shaping the Vision
To develop the concept, I turned to Persian miniature painting, a traditional art form known for its detailed storytelling and rich symbolism.
From there, I created an initial concept collage exploring the composition, colors, and atmosphere of the piece. This stage helped define the visual direction while also incorporating personal elements meaningful to Mahan.
These included references to her love of horses, as well as the inclusion of her dog Teddy. Once the overall direction was established and approved, I created a detailed sketch to map out the final composition before beginning the painting.
The Art
The Act of Painting
With the concept finalized, the painting process began.
Working in mixed media on canvas, the piece developed through layers of color, texture, and detail. Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Persian miniature art, each element of the scene was placed intentionally to contribute to the narrative of the piece
The landscape draws inspiration from the mountains of Iran in spring — a setting that reflects renewal, beauty, and the meeting of two worlds.
The Final Act
The Finished Work
Once the painting was complete, it was framed and accompanied by a written description explaining the meaning behind the piece.
At the center of the painting is a river flowing between two figures — a living thread that connects them. The river symbolizes love, continuity, and devotion, representing the life they will build together across cultures, landscapes, and traditions.
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