bio
I am an interdisciplinary artist whose work is inspired by my experiences and reflections on the world around me. My paintings serve as metaphors for moments in time within our natural and social landscapes. Through self-exploration, I examine the human condition—our moral constructs, prejudices, and aggression toward one another—and how these dynamics shape our collective existence. My creative challenge lies in translating these ideas through my chosen mediums, often working in series to explore a single subject from multiple perspectives.
Sometimes my work begins with a particular idea or energy, but through my engagement with the process, it evolves into something unexpected and revealing.
My multicultural background, activism, and extensive travels continue to influence my art. As an interdisciplinary artist, my practice encompasses abstract, representational, and three-dimensional forms. Working with watercolor, acrylic, and oil, I use color, line, and composition to capture fleeting moments in time. I also incorporate archival symbols, collage, found objects, and mixed media to reflect on the current political and social climate. My process is dynamic and physical—I paint with energy, layering and scraping pigment to create texture and depth, allowing each work to evoke emotion and tell a story.
I believe that art can be a catalyst for change and a means of seeing our complex world through new perspectives—inviting viewers to question and reimagine the status quo.
Samira Shaheen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University. She continued her artistic studies with painter Philip Malicoat in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and studied figure drawing with Jack Kramer. Samira is an active member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Artists, and the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society.
Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries throughout Pittsburgh, including the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh 106th Annual Exhibition, and the Radiant Gallery in California. She has also presented solo exhibitions in Nantucket and at the Spinning Plate Gallery.
Samira has served as Chair of Media for the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society and currently chairs Events for the Pittsburgh Society of Artists. She continues to actively pursue her art career and exhibit her work.
Contact & Studio Information
Email: sgirlbear@gmail.com
Website: SamiraShaheen.com
Instagram: @samirashaheen
Studio: Radiant Hall Susquehanna Studio
7800 Susquehanna Street, Homewood, PA 15208
(Viewing by appointment)