I paint as often as I can, and I truly have never been happier. Candidly though, it has been a journey to get here.

I’ve painted and drawn since as long as I can remember. But fear (and a strong dose of practicality) lead me to pursue a design degree. It was a good student, but I wasn’t satisfied. I missed painting. So I took a break from my studies at Cornell University to study art in Florence, Italy. There I was struck by how color in the Tuscan landscape was more vivid than anywhere at home.

At the close of the semester, I returned to complete my degree, but my approach was changed. I began to use color and light in a more evocative way in my designs. My goal was to inspire an intended mood, to elicit an emotion.

Years and careers later, I began designing and creating “art to wear” in one-of-a-kind, handcrafted purses. I was grasping for a way to meld my love of art and design. But, I soon yearned for more.

Then, 33 years after studying in Italy, I was invited to attend an art retreat in Spain. I thought of it as a long overdue opportunity for another European painting adventure. It turned out to be so much more. Not only did I learn new painting techniques, I remembered me. Really and truly. I found that I needed to paint. It occurred to me that what I mistook as a self satisfying, albeit occasional pastime, was in fact a gift to share. The gift of joy.

Today, I paint. I believe I was always meant to get here, and it is wonderful. Each month I share my latest paintings via this website. I hope my work brings you the same joy I feel while creating it.

Mariangela