Secret Beneath the Veil
By Laurie Blum
Ever since I can remember, I have been fascinated with the mystique of Persia. I had no idea when I first set foot in Iran, that a paradise, profoundly rich and satisfying, was waiting for me. It is a country with deep reverence for family structure. Some of their customs awakened in me a sense of what I had missed or lost somewhere down the road in my youth. I felt here was a missing link from the American experience. We have lost appreciation for our most precious gifts. And that is why I feel there is a need for me to tell my story. It is my hope for the people of all countries, as brethren, to be able to share their unique knowledge and gifts in an open forum and marketplace and to create Oneness for Mankind.
New York is called "The Melting Pot." The Statue of Liberty calls out: "Give me your tired, your hungry, your homeless, your poor…," but I say, let us open up communication between all countries, richly endowed with resources of wisdom of the ages and magnificence in the arts and allow the great wealth and knowledge of all cultures to meld us as one, one family. I was surprised when I entered Iran how friendly everyone was. Everyone was interested to meet an American. Though I have always loved Persian Miniature Paintings, and was looking forward to painting from the mountains and gardens that the Old Masters painted from, I was not prepared for the sublime beauty I encountered there. Once I was brave enough to go alone to paint in the Garden of Paradise in Shiraz, I became acutely aware that I had found The Garden Of Paradise that I was seeking since I was a child. I became immersed in the glorious atmosphere and as long as I painted there every day from morning till evening I needed nothing else. I painted at The Tomb and Gardens of the famous Persian Poets and Perfect Masters, Hafez and Sa’adi. These great spiritual figures are very important to the Iranian culture and since I was familiar with them and painted with reverence I was most gratefully allowed to paint in these hallowed, sacred grounds. I was amazed how appreciative the Iranian people were of my art. They would gather around me to watch me paint. I think they love art and nature more than anywhere else I have visited. I was so grateful that I was permitted to paint there and was aware of the great privilege that was granted to me. There is a quiet naturalness there with a timeless and stress-free quality.
The food in Iran is so good because the fruit and vegetables still retain the flavor and taste, that each individually possessed originally, that has been lost in most produce we grow here. I think I found myself in Iran much the same way. I recognized my core essence unveiled to me and mirrored in the surrounding landscape in all its quiet and serene beauty.
