“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” Dale Carnegie
Our names are an amazingly significant part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities we belong to, and our place in the world.
A person's name is the most significant connection to their own identity and individuality. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. It is the one way we can easily get someone's attention. It is a sign of courtesy and a way of recognizing them.
“Some recent research suggests that names can influence the choice of profession, where we live, whom we marry, the grades we earn, the stocks we invest in, whether we’re accepted to a school or are hired for a particular job, and the quality of our work in a group setting. Also, much of the apparent influence of names on behaviour has been attributed to what’s known as the implicit-egotism effect: we are generally drawn to the things and people that most resemble us. Because we value and identify with our own names and initials, the logic goes, we prefer things that have something in common with them.” The New Yorker By Maria Konnikova. December 19, 2013
In this context of names, I got intrigued by the Intuitive Name Drawing Art undertaken by Bijan Azami.
MeaningfulShots: Tell us about your Intuitive Name Drawing Art; what incited you to take that initiative?
Bijan: Approximately 20 years ago, I showed interest in the art of drawing names. Back then, I was fascinated by Japanese name drawing. I used black ink and all sorts of brushes. I met an artist who did something similar, Ben Aalbers. He was mostly focusing on Oriental, Far Eastern and Middle Eastern styles. But at some point, I decided to use the Roman alphabet and felt the desire to add an intuitive side to it. I didn’t want to draw just something "pretty", but I wanted to draw the beauty that I see in the person who goes by that name. So, for instance when I draw your name, Soha, and another person's that goes by the name Soha, the images will all look different and have their own color.
I was doing this as a hobby at that time and stopped after a year or so. And now after 20 years, during the first lockdown, I felt the urge to take the initiative to create something with my hands. I am interested mostly in people’s personalities, identifying them, and creating an image of them. I am intrigued by who you are as a person and put it intuitively into my Name Drawing.
MeaningfulShots: Can you tell us about yourself?
Bijan:
Educational and Professional life:
- Global Thinking and Acting, Intercultural Communication skills.
- Innovator, Designer, Entrepreneur, Business Developer.
- Educator, Trainer, Coach, Inspirer, Encouraging & Empowering people, Cultivator of culture of learning.
- High achiever, Enthusiastic, Analyzer, Thorough.
- I Love travelling, connecting and strengthening relationships with people of all races.
- Calligrapher, Intuitive Name Drawing Artist.
- Hair stylist, Makeup artist and Manicurist.
My life in a story: Born in Iran, we moved to The Netherlands when I was 8. I consider myself a world citizen. I learned to adapt to my new environment very smoothly and adjusted myself to the Dutch culture, which is very different than the Iranian. I somehow always "blend in", as I also did while travelling to some Middle Eastern countries, China, and several African countries, amongst other places.
I have always been intrigued by people. In my teen years, my first job was hairdresser and beautician. Later on, I became an optician and soon had my own practice. My endeavor was always to help creating the image that my customers wanted for themselves and also to help them to pursue their dreams and aspirations. I helped them create an image that would perfectly reflect their identity.
I started a social enterprise, called Twobillioneyes and sold my optical boutique 5 years later when I realized I couldn’t combine the two. At that point in time, each needed my full attention … so I had to choose.
As the work for Twobillioneyes came to a huge slowdown because of the lockdowns, I diverted my attention and tried to be of service in another way to another audience. What does humanity need at this challenging time? So now, it is through Intuitive Name Drawing Art that I reflect people’s identity. When people feel "seen", "heard" and "understood", most are intrigued and curious to know more, which leads to many fruitful conversations. I help them get focused, empowered and encouraged so they are able to move on.
In more popular words: I am a life coach. I consult with my clients about their challenges and endeavors to help them navigate more easily through life.
So I also use the Intuitive Name Drawing to help me in my coaching practice.
It’s like a language without words … addressing client's both sides of the brain, heart and the subconscious, makes them become more involved and can help induce new insights and understanding.
MeaningfulShots: What is the process of the creation of your Name Drawings?
Bijan: My art is intuitive, as mentioned before. I see the name and photograph of the person and then I start and let the image reveal itself. The color plays a significant role as well. There are millions of different shades to choose from, and the clients relate primarily to the color.
My name drawings are like a picture of that person, revealing who they really are potentially. When I draw, I sense the client and represent them the way I perceive them. In my understanding, it is an image that "shows itself" and "wants to be seen". They are from a certain perspective and timely… but do reveal the core. I believe, we as human beings are not able to understand the soul … therefore I’ll never be able to draw an image or describe any soul….the soul is eternal. I can’t see the soul directly, I don’t think we humans are able to do so. All I can do is, be aware of reflections of it in the client's "heart"… and this reflection is timely and just a fraction… Therefore my drawings will never be constant, we always are in motion. This is just an attempt to put something intangible into words.
Until recently I have been using my Intuitive Name Drawing only in my coaching practice but now I decided to also work with it outside of my practice so that I can be of service to a larger audience. All I need in order to draw the image, is the name and a photograph of that person. I can do this for anyone, anywhere at any time. It’s up to the client what happens after receiving the drawing. It ends there or it is a path towards the start of perceiving more opportunities and deeper understanding of oneself. This can be in one or more conversations by voice or in a video call.
"When you change your perspective, your perception changes, leading to new insights and understandings and can lead to new possibilities!" Bijan Azami
MeaningfulShots: What are you trying to achieve through your art?
Bijan: I’m hoping to be of service in the path of accelerating the process towards a more united world. I do my drawings as a means for connecting people, connecting their minds to their hearts in order to find and be who they really are. To be able also to act in life as their true selves, and find their calling, their purpose and have a meaningful life. Connecting heart and mind in yourself results in a better connection to other people too. This increases the balance and harmony within us which leads to richer relationships with ourselves and others. The more you “see” of “you” the better you understand the interconnectedness of things, how everything is related and connected.
MeaningfulShots: How has the public received it?
Bijan: I started to share this art just a month ago on Social Media and made hundreds of them already, and people who requested it seem to like the outcome. When you see your name drawn, the magic happens when you react to it, when you recognize yourself in it. All I do is reflect people’s personalities in a signal. I’m just the intermediary to allow an image of you to appear. Sometimes, people have two names and don’t know which one represents them the best. Through this art, they can “see” more and recognize themselves.
MeaningfulShots: Any plans for the future? Any upcoming projects?
Bijan: I love connecting with people in different ways and through various channels, so my next project is a cooking project! I love Persian dishes, and my mother being an unbelievably great cook, I learned a lot from her. As a coach, cooking also becomes a means of connection. Connecting together while cooking together, connecting with others - for whom we cook, we have kitchen memories with, mothers, fathers, and so on -, connecting different tastes while being fully mindful. When you do something wholeheartedly, and with full attention, it’s not only about combining flavors but also putting time, love, and attention to it, which can be tasted in the meals! It’s about having a holistic approach to cooking. And on the other hand, cooking with other people allows you to bond. I sometimes use cooking together in my coaching approach as well, with individuals but also with groups like a family and company colleagues. It’s very powerful and delicious. Besides, I am also making episodes for broadcasting, which is not coaching but only the cooking and ….. I will have to stop here, as the rest will be revealed soon!
I need diversity and balance in my life, which helps me to connect completely with myself. Everything is interconnected, like using my mind, spirit, heart and hands. Each part empowers the other, it's synergetic. In that way I can serve better… that makes me feel like having a meaningful life… I sure hope it is meaningful in God's sight. All we can do is try our best!
Meaningful Shots: Thank you so much, Bijan, for taking the time and for sharing your thoughts and drawings with us! You can find out more about Bijan Azami.
Our name is immortal and will outlast every one of us. It’s up to us to decide how we will make the greatest impact through one of the most significant and influential characteristics we all have. Will you rise above yourself for the happiness of others? Will you influence the world with positive actions? Will you empower yourself to change the world somehow? Even on the smallest of scales. Your name is and will always be the everlasting testament of who you are.
In the same line of thought, I also came across Marko Rodin’s “Vortex Based Mathematics,” whose studies led him to understand that not only do our personal names and the language they are spoken in, highly affect our personalities, but that the most important are the names of God. This led him into a journey of thoroughly studying all the world’s great religions.
Contact info:
Email: Bijan@azami.eu Facebook messenger: Bijan Azami Telegram: Bijan Azami
Instagram: Bijanazami and Intuitivenameart
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