Biography
Maryam Fardinfard (b. Iran, 1984) began her artistic journey with portrait and anatomy painting before turning her focus to landscape, still life and wildlife. Working first in colored pencil, gouache and ink, she now develops her hyperrealist style through colored pencil, oil and pastel.
Largely self-taught — with only two private teachers for a short period in her birthplace, Isfahan — she holds a BS in Physical Education and a Master’s degree in Movement Corrective and Sports Pathology.
She is currently based in Dubai, working on a new private painting collection alongside client commissions. She is a Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists (USA) and Artists for Conservation (Canada).
Artist statement
I use pastel and colored pencil to draw what moves me most — the deep connection between people, animals and nature.
My style is rooted in hyperrealism, but I’m not only trying to copy what I see. I try to show what’s underneath — the feeling in a lion’s eyes, the freedom of a bird in flight, the calm beauty of autumn, a quiet moment between two people.
I hope my work makes people feel something — strength, love, or simply wonder — and reminds us to slow down and notice the small things we so often miss. To me, art is a way to connect: a quiet conversation between what we see and what we feel.
Awards, exhibitions & recognition
Memberships
- 2026–Signature Member, Society of Animal Artists (SAA), USA
- 2026–Signature Member, Artists for Conservation (AFC), Canada
Awards & honors
- 2026Third Place, Animal/Wildlife — 5th Annual Artists to Watch, Artists Magazine, USA
- 2026Honorable Mention, International FiKVA Award for Painters, Belgium
- 2025First Place, “Faces that Speak: Portraits”, Blue Koi Gallery, USA — Artistic Excellence
- 2025Reserve Best in Show, UK Colour Pencil Society (UKCPS) Annual Open Exhibition, UK
- 2025Honorable Mention, Dakota Pastels Quarterly Competition (Emerging Artists), USA — Grand Final
- 2025Overall Honorable Mention, Masters of Wildlife Art, Wild Heart Gallery, USA
- 2025Top 100 & Honorable Mention, Pastel 100 Competition (Animal & Wildlife), USA
- 2025Merit Award, Geometry Juried Exhibition, UPWARD Gallery, USA
- 2025Special Merit, Summer “5 for $10” Exhibition, Light Space & Time, USA
- 2025Honorable Selection, Exhibizone Grand Prize
Exhibitions & finalists
- 2025–26Finalist, 18th International ARC Salon Competition, USA
- 2026Finalist, Target Prize 2026, Spain
- 2026Selected Artist, YICCA International Contest — Final Exhibition, Italy
- 2026Selected Artist, Artists for Conservation Virtual Exhibit — two works, Canada
- 2025Selected Artist, ArtPrize (LaFontsee Galleries, Palaz Tower), Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- 2025Selected Artist, For Pastels Only, Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, USA
- 2025Exhibition Finalist, Still Life 2025, Fusion Art, USA
- 2025Selected Artist, ModPortrait 2025 Special Catalogue, Spain
- 2025Selected Artist, Studio Texas Annual Online Juried Competition, USA
- 2025Group Exhibition, FCPS Members’ Show, St. Augustine Art Association, FL, USA — two pastels
- 2025Group Exhibition, The Holy Art Gallery, New York, USA
- 2022–23World Art Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE
Publications & features
- 2026Featured Artist, International Artist Magazine — commissioned demonstration article
- 2026Published, Art Renewal Center (ARC) Salon 18 Catalogue
- 2026Published, Artists for Conservation 2026 Companion Book
- 2026Published, YICCA International Contest Exhibition Catalogue
- 2026Cover Artwork, International FiKVA Award for Painters — Top 100 Catalogue
Grants & residencies
- 2026Denis Diderot Grant, Château d’Orquevaux Artist Residency, France
- 2025Accepted Artist, La Macina di San Cresci Residency, Tuscany, Italy