Born in the city of Shiraz, Iran in 1951, Hessam Abrishami was the son of middle class parents and one of eight brothers and sisters. At age 15, through the inspiration and encouragement of a high school teacher, Hessam discovered both his love of art and his own talent for painting. As a result he became almost obsessed with painting. Hessam, at age 17, received his first award for painting and went on to win top honors in painting in an all-country student competition in Iran. At age 19, he achieved first place honors in the "Iranian New Artists Competition." Many other national and international honors and recognitions have followed since. He went on to study in Italy - a place he considered "the center of art in Europe." It was in Perugia, Italy that Hessam studied and completed his Master's Degree in Fine Arts at the Accademi De Belle Arti "Pietro Vanucci." Hessam emigrated to Los Angeles, California where he continues to expand his creativity. He explores a realm which the French press has called "A statement in the fluidity of human figures . . . He creates a tension between each figure, a kinship of place or condition that provokes the viewer to seek reasons for such relationships." Greatly influenced by modern masters from Cezanne to Picasso, Hessam's boldly colorful paintings are filled with love and laughter, music and dance. Hessam Abrishami has provided the world with images that capture an essence of love and romance.