ArtDayMe: Vesta Color and Mojdeh Art Gallery's collaborative effort aims to foster artistic talent and create a new artistic ecosystem that promotes art development.

Kiarash Yaghoubi, a calligrapher and calligraphy painter born in 1978 in Tehran, is involved in this project and has submitted a piece to Vesta Color. His piece, "Boundless 3" from the "Third Line" series, was made by blending elements on a 100 by 100 cm canvas with vesta colors.

For this reason, we have spoken with Yaghoubi; please read:

Tell us about your artistic background, please.

Kiarash Yaghoubi: I graduated from the Iran Calligraphers Association with a master's degree. But in middle school, about 1990, I began calligraphy on my own. I spent a lot of time practicing Ataei and Amirkhani orthography. Of course, even though I spent years writing calligraphy without a teacher, I continued to practice theory before performing. However, I came to the conclusion that I most certainly needed to interact with teachers. I got to know Master Mehdi Fallah in 1997 while traveling to the Tochal mountain area. We had a lengthy conversation. We decided that once a month I would show him my work. When I arrived for the first session, he informed me, "There is no need for a class; just show up whenever you need help."

I later met and learned from Masters Ali Ghorbani, Mojtaba Malekzadeh, and Hossein Gholami. I put myself to the test by competing and attending festivals. I was repeatedly chosen for national events. For instance, I took first place at the Pen Festival in 2011. My greatest accomplishment, aside from these honors, was meeting artists from throughout the nation. These gatherings, which took place in various towns, provided the ideal setting for discussing and brainstorming with other artists.

In terms of calligraphy painting, I've been using paint and gouache since 1990, when I was self-taught in the art form. The works of Master Refa Mafi and Master Jalil Rasouli were the ones with which I most identified. I became passionate about calligraphy painting in the 2000s. I have had six solo exhibits and participated in over 50 group shows in the Iran and internationally, including the Emirates, Bahrain, Japan, England, Turkey, and Malaysia. In addition, I have taught calligraphy and calligraphy painting over the years. I've coordinated various group exhibitions of calligraphy painting and worked professionally with the Reza Abbasi Museum, Seyhoun, Mojdeh, and Taraneh Baran Galleries, Mellat Cineplex, and other institutions.

Which project are you working on right now?

Kiarash Yaghoubi : I spend most of my days in the studio right now. Medium-sized canvases are my main area of interest. I work with a variety of line thicknesses and materials, and I am still a companion to Rumi's writings, engaging in endless inquiry and intuition.

What is your top priority for the future?

Kiarash Yaghoubi : My main goals for the upcoming year are to conduct a solo exhibition and take part in prominent art festivals.

Describe the artwork you produced for Vesta Color's and Mojdeh Art Gallery's collaborative project with Vesta products and contributed to Vesta.

Kiarash Yaghoubi : The piece is titled "Boundless 3" and is part of the "Third Line" collection. This year's artwork measures 100 × 100 cmand was produced by blending materials on canvas with vesta colors.

I decided to employ Vesta's delicate colors and the acrylic method. Freehand writing is the term for this type of writing. Actually, only linear forms are shown and no specific text is given. In addition, I incorporated curved linear forms, semicircles, and geometric shapes in my artwork. Aside from Vesta Acrylic, I used Vesta Gesso as an undercoat, Retarder Medium while working, and Vesta Matt Varnish and Gloss Varnish at the finish. In general, the work became minimal. I had a strong connection to that.

How long have you been familiar with Vesta Color products? What are your own experiences in this regard?

Kiarash Yaghoubi : I became acquainted with Vesta products several years ago. But I hadn't used them much. Of course, Vesta did not have the same diversity as it does today. But I did use Gesso and a couple Vesta acrylics.

Which color, additive, or media would you use if you were to present just one Vesta product to other artists?

Kiarash Yaghoubi : I go with Gesso, Retarder Medium, Matt Varnish, and Red Acrylic, Code 6.

How do you feel about Vesta Color and Mojdeh Art Gallery's collaborative project?

Kiarash Yaghoubi  : Vesta and Mojdeh Art Gallery's partnership is a fortunate development. I hope it would go on and not be restricted to a certain period of time. Vesta, the gallery, and the artist all benefit from this endeavor. I'm hoping that Vesta products and artists' works can be shown together outside of Iran.