About Me

Welcome - I am a Southwest Abstract Expressionistic Artist born in Arizona with Croatian roots. I have been creating art for three decades . My first piece of art was really on my mother’s kitchen wall. I scrubbed that thing off for hours. Much later, in my life, I began painting with oils due to their buttery texture . I transitioned into acrylics, aqua media products, experimental, mixed media art with many expressive layers . When I travel I always take my watercolors. You will catch me painting every year in Kauai on the Lanai. I paint with professional grade products and materials. My art is signed, varnished and I paint on canvas, wood or paper. My own creative style is Intuitive - Abstract . I love to use bold, bright, beautiful colors layered with expressive bold, mark making techniques and texture. I am always pushing my intrinsic boundaries of my creative process when I paint. I strive not to paint like anyone else. My purpose in life is always gratitude and the deep, inherent , internal satisfaction of daily painting. My watercolors are generally abstract, flowers, cactus, nature and landscapes. My artwork has been published in AHNA New Beginnings Nursing Journal (April 2018) & (Dec. 2021) , I am a published photographer (Illusions of Reality 2008) , I have authored Season of Myself (Poetry, Wonderful Thoughts & Photography ) 2008. Table top Book “ Best of Art 2020” I have held numerous One Woman Shows benefiting the Alzheimer’s Foundation as well as participated in numerous group shows for over 16 years. I believe in supporting the Arts in small rural communities especially for Women & Children. I love painting and creating art almost every single day. A day without Art is “eh”! You can find me at my private home studio or when I am traveling painting in public. I painted at the Historic Home Tour, April 2019 and at the 1916 Historic Train Depot. Prior to this I painted at the Blue Mule built in (1899) with demos during the 26th annual Historic Home and Building Tour (2010). I have been a guest artist instructor at CVCA - gallery , 2013,2014,2016, 2018, 2019 as well as have led mind, body, art & fitness ( seated yoga & meditation) at an Assisted Living Facility for over 13+ years. I was featured Artist for the AHNA Annual Spring Conference in Kansas City, MO., 2019 . 6 x 6 show 2020 New York . Dec. 2019 - Art Box Projects - Florida during Art Basel Week. I have been a guest speaker on Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease “Sister I don’t Mind”, sharing my personal family story at CUMC 2014. Featured Phoenix Artist -www.gpec.org/art-exhibit/gallery (virtual wall) art- “Sedona Hope” March thru June 2021 and again August 2021 to current. “Where Heaven Meets Earth” front cover of Holistic Nursing Journal Dec.2021. Participated in March 2022 ART Box Project - Venice, Italy. I am a huge fan of fitness and I meditate twice a day. All my classes incorporate mind, body and spirit and how we utilize this in the creation process. (c)artbytsh.com/2024