Parin Heidari is a multidisciplinary artist based in Italy. She draws single-line portraits ambidextrously. Before creating NFT art full-time, Parin worked as a creative director and graphic designer for 10 years in The Netherlands, Italy, and Iran. Parin studied painting in Iran and holds a BA in Industrial Design and Visual Communication from the Polytechnic University of Turin. She has been a featured artist on the front page of Opensea and has recently been announced as one of 40 artists included in TIME Magazines “Build a Better Future” NFT drop.
How did you make your start in the world as an artist? Did it begin with drawing? Were you formally trained or self-taught?
I was born in Tehran in 1986. I have been an artist for 30 years. When I was three I started drawing and painting- and since then I have never stopped! I loved fantasy books and Sci-fi movies and I started going to art classes before going to school. I remember I loved telling stories full of robots and UFOs with my paintings. My mother’s cousin, who is an Iranian illustrator, was my first teacher- and when I was a kid, I always wanted to illustrate a children’s book like her. When I was 11 years old I continued my art journey by going to caricature courses and learned how to draw cartoons. I went to NODET (National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents) school in Tehran, Iran, which was a more scientific school. Almost all of the students were interested in science, but I always wanted to be an artist. Therefore I studied Fine Arts and later went on to study at Politecnico di Torino in Italy, graduating with a BA in Industrial Design and Visual Communication. I have lived a multicultural life which has always inspired my art.
There is a simplicity to your drawings although they are bold and very sophisticated. What is your process in achieving this unique aesthetic? How/where did you develop this style and how do you approach a single drawing versus a series of drawings?
My online drawing journey started when I was in high school. I carried my sketchbook with me and became very fond of drawing daily from my surroundings. One-line drawings for me were the quickest way to capture my environment and the people in it, whether I was at a cafe, or on the bus, or even at a party; I was recording. Sometimes the pieces that I worked more on became the ones that are 1 of 1, but I really wanted to give the opportunity for anyone who wanted to collect my pieces the chance to own these works as well by creating editions of my series. It’s a maturation process that can be hurtful as it consists of letting go of something which I have created. However, it is also very demanding as the minimalism of one-line art requires a certain level of perfection and precision. Every element must have its place and its own intrinsic beauty.
There is so much passion and life behind each line in your portraits. Can you speak to the role poetry and emotion play in how you capture a human likeness with your technique?
I use a single line with simple elements and colors to convey my own visualization of the deepest emotions we can feel as humans to make complex problems simple. The minimalist nature of a ‘one-line’ drawing requires a lot of precision and is a perfectionist’s nightmare. Every element has its own place and intrinsic visual authority within the image. Crafting a ‘one-line’ drawing is a visually rich and rather complex experience. It’s a process that can be painful sometimes though as I have to ultimately give something away that’s so close to my heart.
Who were some of your earlier influences and artists you admire now? Tell me how their work speaks to you and influenced yours?
Egon Schiele has been my biggest inspiration. I love the simplicity yet boldness in his drawings. Hamid Bahrami has always been a big inspiration to me, the technique and creativity of his pieces always surprises me. I love Chantel Martin’s work as well, she is great at showing the most meaningful concepts so simple yet stunning. Martin is a fellow one-liner and ambidextrous. I really like how delicate and strong his lines are. Donald Robertson is a great painter, I am amazed by the way he plays with colors and shapes. His humor and intelligence which can be seen both in his art and personal life is something that always amazes me. Heather Day is my other inspiration, she has an incredible approach to shapes and forms. I love the courage she has in the combination of colors, she never stops creating.
When you brought your work into the NFT space did you anticipate your work would be so well received? You were a trending artist on Opensea and I imagine that was very exciting!
[The] NFT space made me believe more in myself and my art. I have never experienced the potential of art, as I have seen in this space, it’s nothing like any other work experience. There’s no client work or deadlines. Because of the multicultural nature of NFTs, I have also connected with so many amazing artists from all over the world. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to be able to share the art they love and grow in it as well. I can finally be who I always wanted to be and I’ve finally become a full-time artist, and I’m so thankful for that.
What are you currently working on?
I am working on some new drops and collaborations with some amazing artists in the NFT space, and I am going to be included in the FOMOLAND exhibition in Switzerland in October and a couple of other huge projects that I will announcing very soon.
To learn more about Parin, check out all her NFTs on TryShowtime, visit her website and follow her online:
Instagram: @parindesigns
Twitter: @ParinHeidari
