Join us at La Jolie MLN boutique, Elmhurst, IL. Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 2:30-4:30pm to meet Mrs. Shiva Jaberi and her beautiful art. There will be gorgeous hand painted bookmarks, small art canvas, and various pieces. Mrs. Jaberi will be able to take special orders if you wish. Click HERE to view artwork designs. Event Details HERE…

Shiva’s Story

I was born in Iran in 1979, the year of the Iranian Revolution.

My family were members of the Baha’i faith, the second largest religion in Iran. The Baha’i people believe in democratic principles. They believe that education is a priority within families; particularly for women. In fact, they encourage the equality of women and men.

This is in stark contrast to the regime that took control of Iran following the revolution. My family was denied access to government-controlled schools and universities. While my sister and I were growing up, the Bahai community created their own education system.

Finding my path

I went to the Baha’i University and got a degree in Biology. I wanted to pursue my education further, but that would have been impossible in Iran, so I left the country and seek my future elsewhere. In 2007 I left Iran to Turkey in hope of being able to come to the United States.

Here's something you may not know about Turkey. The people are some of the kindest, most honest people in the world. They say, in Turkey, you can leave your purse on a table at an outdoor café, and when you come back to look for it hours later, it will still be there. I was blessed to spend 3 years there.

I experienced traumas growing up. My dad was lost in the war between Iran and Iraq when he was 28. We were told he was taken prisoner, but when the prisoners were released, he was not among them. We never saw him again.

I had always had an interest in drawing and painting, and found it to be an artistic way to escape from fear and stress. While in Turkey, I honed my art skills while waiting for my visa to be approved. This came true for me in 2010, and I left for the U.S. to study at Northeastern Illinois University.

Arriving in America

How to describe setting foot for the first time in a foreign country? I remember walking on the sidewalk, looking for a Starbucks. I needed to let my family know I was safe. I was alone with nothing more than my laptop and a suitcase. It was overwhelming.

Embracing change

While completing my degree in chemistry at Northeastern Illinois University I worked as a front desk agent at a nearby hotel. It was there that I met my husband. We married in 2016 and a year later had our daughter, Ayla. With a baby at home, it made sense to focus my attention on her. Throughout her first 5 years, I practiced my art and built a small business painting portraits of people’s homes. Word spread, and I had a nice little business.

My first love, however, is abstract art. Lately, I’ve been drawing inspiration from nature and my work reflects it. Thanks to Instagram, I have been able to grow my customer base and my business. When I met my friend Daisy, she took an interest in my artwork and I now am able to sell items at her retail store La Jolie MLN in Elmhurst, and on her website.

My hope is to be able to show my work one day in a gallery, and I am building my collection with that in mind. As for my roots in Iran, I speak with my mom every day. Even though I can’t risk going back to Iran, my whole family got together in Malaysia in 2019 and my family were able to meet my husband and daughter and I was able to reunite with my family. Today, I have a family in the U.S. as well. They all live in my heart, and in my art.

Paintings by Shiva

If interested in purchasing
Paintings by Shiva,
please e-mail support@lajolie-mln.com.
Bookmarks can be purchased on-line or in-store HERE.

Click to view painting details

La Jolie MLN: ”It’s our mission to give young ladies the lessons all of you can share with us. So, let’s share our experiences, strength and stories.

I cordially invite you to join a cohort of empowered women. Please send your stories to Blog@lajolie-mln.com