Botanical & Fine Art Specialist
My name is Mona Shahani, a Persian artist born in 1987 in Tehran. From a young age, I’ve been captivated by colors and imagination, viewing the world as a blank canvas ready to be filled with creative magic. This passion led me to study both painting and architecture at university.
Throughout my artistic journey, I’ve gained extensive experience and, like all artists, encountered numerous trials and errors. Despite these challenges, the journey has always been and continues to be a source of joy and fulfillment for me.
I began my artistic career with painting, a love that has been with me since childhood. I experimented by painting on different materials like glass, wood, and fabric. I also worked as a linocut printmaker, painted on walls, and designed jewelry and accessories. and I have participated in several group painting and printmaking exhibitions.
After moving to Heidelberg around two years ago, in addition to painting, I have also focused on botanical monoprinting. I spent a lot of time exploring city and the forest, taking long walks, photographing my surroundings, and collecting plants that caught my eye. These natural elements were then used for botanical monoprinting, flat lays, and hammered prints. Nature and plants have always been a profound source of inspiration for me.
Despite my diverse artistic endeavors, painting remains my greatest passion. I continue to explore and express my artistic vision, creating works that celebrate the beauty of nature and the vividness of my imagination.
What I Do
I love creating special prints from the exquisite foliage I find on my walks. This process is called botanical monoprinting. I carefully pick, press, and print with the leaves and flowers to craft unique pieces of art. Walking in nature and collecting these plants is a significant part of the process, helping me slow down and appreciate the little details.
The term ‘botanical monoprinting’ describes the process of creating prints directly from plants collected in various habitats. First, I press and dry the plants. The pressing part takes some time, with some requiring 2-3 weeks due to their density and moisture, while thinner ones may only need a week. Sometimes, I use the plants freshly without pressing.
After pressing, I coat the plants in ink with a roller and press them onto paper, capturing the intricate details of nature. The method involves inking the plants, using them as unique stamps, choosing suitable paper, and employing hands or a pressing machine to craft personalized botanical prints in the studio. It’s a bit intricate, but the result is unique and special.
‘Botanical monoprinting’ highlights the creation of a single, special print because leaves and flowers are delicate. The ‘mono’ emphasizes the singular nature of each piece. Consequently, my works are genuinely unique; writing ‘1/1’ signifies that they don’t have any editions.
My Instagram: monartology
