Although a native of Iran, Ms. Shirazi has lived in the United States since 1972 and is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin where she teaches Islamic Studies and courses related to gender and material culture in the Islamic world.

She began painting in 2001 and discovered that she totally loved the medium. She continues to take lessons and lists German Expressionism as a primary influence.

She had her first solo art show in 2003 and was surprised and delighted at its success. She enjoys painting a wide variety of subjects and always enjoys new challenges in subject matter.