Artists Statement

I believe that the world is beautiful. My task as an artist is to show this vision to others. My intention is to force the audience to pause and listen to what Nature is whispering. We need to pay attention to the world around us and to absorb it.

I am developing a unique style that is a mixture of abstract and representational, with strong emphasis on color and line. Abstract painting is very attractive to me, yet the sophistication of Nature's silhouettes overpowers me and compels a representational style. Color is the language of painting, and has strong influence on emotion. In the Age of Intellect, we neglect our feelings. This is why I want to open people's hearts rather than talk to their minds.

If you come away from my paintings realizing, once again, that the natural world is beautiful, powerful, very fragile, and worth preserving, then I have accomplished something I hold dear to my heart.

Bio

I was born in Riga , Latvia . I have enjoyed drawing ever since I can remember. A teacher at my elementary school suggested to my parents that they give more attention to my artistic talents. Soon, I began taking art classes and at the age of twelve I was accepted to the Janis Rozentalis Art Secondary School for especially talented children. I would attend twenty art lessons weekly including drawing, painting, compositions, art history and sculpting along with the regular academic curriculum. There were ten students in the class and we went to school six days a week.

After graduating from the high school I was accepted to the Latvian State Academy of Fine Arts. In 1990 I graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts in Art education.

In 1996 I came to USA and faced all kinds of problems that many emigrants usually have to deal with. Now I am living in Flagstaff , Arizona with my husband. I have been invited to be Artist in residence in several Flagstaff schools and create murals with children. I have also had to pleasure in teaching at Coconino Community College .

I spend most of my time working on my art, but when I have the chance, I enjoy hiking and reading.

Education

1984–1990, Latvian State Academy of Fine Arts, Bachelor and Master of Arts Education degrees, Riga, Latvia, evaluated by the World Educational Service

1974–1981, Janis Rosenthal's Fine Art Secondary School , Riga , Latvia

Professional Experience

2002–present, Coconino Community College , Art Instructor, portrait drawing, drawing, life drawing, Flagstaff , Arizona

2001–2004, Flagstaff Unified School District Artist-in-Residence, student mural projects at De Miguel Elementary, Flagstaff Middle, Kinsey Community, Killip Elementary, and South Beaver Elementary schools in Flagstaff , Arizona

Professional Organization

2005 – present, Sedona Arts Center , member

Professional Listing

Who's Who of American Women
Who's Who in American Education

Awards

2008, Sedona Arts Center annuall members show, Sedona, Arizona:
• 2nd place in painting

2007 Escalante Plein Air Festival, Escalante,Utah:
• Honorable mention

2006 Sedona Arts Center, annual members show, Sedona, Arizona:
• 1st place in painting
• 1st place in drawing

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2007 May - July, Del Rio Gallery , Flagstaff, AZ, Alleys and Others, new plein air paintings

2005, November – “Sacred Animals” Kishwaukee College , Malta , IL

2004 April, Lanning Gallery, emerging artists show, Sedona , Arizona

2003 January, Northern Arizona University Old Main Art Gallery , Flagstaff , Arizona

2002 November, Northern Arizona University Old Main Art Gallery , Flagstaff , Arizona

2001 September, Del Rio Gallery, Flagstaff , Arizona

1996 June, Rigas Vini Gallery, Riga , Latvia

1995 November, Rigas Vini Gallery, Riga , Latvia

Selected Group Exhibitions

2007 - December - American Women Artists, national juried show LeKae Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

2007 - May - three person show, Insights Gallery, Anacortes, WA

2006 - July - Sedona Arts Center , juried show

2006 - February - Insights gallery, Anacortes , WA

2005 - November/December - Insights gallery, Anacortes , WA

2005 July/August, Sedona Art Center - Juried Members Show

2004 August, “Reflections of the Land,” Northern Arizona University Art Museum , Flagstaff , Arizona

2000–2004 “Appetizers for the Visual Feast,” Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff annual group show, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff , Arizona

2000–2004, Artists' Coalition of Flagstaff , Annual Flagstaff Open Studios tour, Flagstaff , Arizona

2001 October “Night Vision,” juried show, Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff , Arizona

Collections

Original works are held in private collections throughout the United States , Italy , Germany , Sweden , Poland , Russia , and Latvia .