A journey of color, courage and culture for Clayton artist
CLAYTON, CA (May 26, 2025) — From the vibrant streets of Baghdad to the tranquil hills of Clayton, artist Amal Shihabi brings a lifetime of color, resilience and artistic intuition to every piece she creates.
Born in Iraq to an Armenian family, Shihabi began a journey to become a celebrated watercolorist that is as remarkable as the paintings she lovingly composes.
Her earliest recognition came at a home economics school in Baghdad, where she earned first place for her artwork – an early glimpse into the talent that would blossom across continents.
In 1963, she immigrated to the United States and took art courses at Mary Manse College. Yet, Shihabi is largely a self-taught artist, a fact that makes her story all the more inspiring.
A chance encounter sparks new chapter
One serendipitous moment launched her path as a professional painter. While Shihabi was matting one of her works at Triangle Art Center in Lawrenceville, N.J., a woman asked who the artist was. “I told her it was me – and she bought the painting,” Shihabi recalls with warmth. This unexpected encouragement lit a fire in her spirit.
[broadstreet zone=”160420″]
Initially unsure about stepping into the gallery world, Shihabi began showcasing her artwork in local businesses. As customers purchased her pieces, her confidence grew. A stroll through Haddonfield, N.J., led her to Accent Studio, where she boldly presented her portfolio. The gallery was impressed – and offered her a show.
Her work began appearing in juried shows throughout New Jersey, and Shihabi became an active member of the Garden State Watercolor Association and the Center for the Arts in Southern New Jersey. In 2003, she received first place in the 7th Annual Associate Juried Exhibition, a distinction she holds dear.
Fleeting beauty
Although proficient in oil and pastel, Shihabi’s heart belongs to watercolor. The delicacy and immediacy of the medium allow her to capture fleeting beauty – especially in the petals of a flower. “Flowers speak to me,” she says. “They’re fragile and bold at the same time – just like life.”
Shihabi’s work has been featured in galleries such as Lexington Gallery, Hopewell Frame Shop and Canal Frame-Crafts Gallery. Since relocating to California, her work has graced the walls of the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville, JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton and the Clayton Library through her involvement with the Creekside Artists Guild. Continental Bank named her Artist of the Month in 1992.
Now living in Clayton with her husband David, Shihabi cherishes time with her two children and two grandchildren. Her art continues to bloom – just like the subjects she loves to paint – reflecting a lifetime of perseverance, gratitude and beauty.
Email comments to Julia O’Reilly at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com.
Julia O'Reilly
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Istanbul, Turkey, Julia pursued her studies in Business and Economics at Istanbul University before immigrating to the United States in 1991. She furthered her education at Las Positas College, specializing in Interior Design, and eventually settled in Clayton, where she has resided for 29 years. In 2003, Julia began her career as a jewelry artist, earning recognition from Diablo Magazine as the Best of the East Bay Local Jewelry Designer in 2012. Since 2014, she has been involved with the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville, California, and became President of the Alamo Danville Artists Society in 2020. In 2022, she opened her own JOR Fine Art Gallery, and for the past two years, she has been actively contributing to the Art Community in Clayton, a passion she deeply cherishes.