Help mom/artist find a home.

Hi there world! Artist mom needs help…

My name is Marina, I am a mom and a portrait artist.  I had a lot of fun in the 80's working in graphic design and dancing the night away.  Then I hunkered down in the early 90's to study advertising and fine art at an amazing and challenging art school, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, some of you may have heard about it. It was there that I uncovered the ability to draw and paint portraits. 
In the later 90’s I had 3 kids and was a stay at home mom. I also able to work in schools as an art teacher and as an art docent. Being home also gave me the opportunity to continue working in my studio on portraiture. 

Art and Responsibility

I know that my artwork is an expression of my soul. Art is a conversation between our energies. I know that I have an audience, but more importantly I have a responsibility as an artist to continue drawing and painting portraits. 

Inspiration

My other gift, I have a natural talent and love to inspire creativity in others.  I say, “There is never a good reason to stop creating". Art is an ongoing dialogue that offers benefits to the artist and the witness/buyer. 

Artist are here to reveal and interpret what is invisible or what is necessary to be seen by others in societies or an individual. Portraiture confirms that you are seen.

In my portraits I use color and line to express and reveal the soul of a person, it is a precious and wonderful gift.  

I lost my house and art studio…, of all things to happen to me!

I lost my studio and my house on Monday November 14, 2016, yes, the other day... The short version is that my house was the victim of some sad life circumstances… Once it started, I was powerless to stop it, although I tried. 

Yes, losing my house and my studio saddens me, but I can’t let it stop or devastate me. I don't think I need to throw in the towel and give up, as creative as I am, I am also a tenacious and optimistic woman. I believe that now is the place and time for my portraiture and that there is a place for me to live and work. 

It’s not just me…

I am not alone, I still have 2 kids in school and I’d like to keep them there. My youngest is in his last year of high school. He was born with many disabilities, with me as his advocate we were able to rise to the occasion, and he is going to graduate in 2017. I spent most of the 2000 through 2011 being a constant voice in his schools, I learned that his self esteem was my primary focused, his successfulness rode on that. It worked, he is in a robotics club and is our tech sage. My daughter is in Junior college and works part time and helps me finacially, she is a dedicated student and is very smart, funny and has a wonderful heart. All of my kids are gifts to me and are so loving. It hasn’t been easy for any of them, yet they rise to the occasion. 

As I said I need a down payment for a new house or apartment and a space to do my art work. Snce I have less then 8 weeks to leave my house I need the funds soon. 
I am trusting in the universe that I will find a place to live and work. 
So I am reaching out, putting myself out on the farthest limb, Hoping that I will receive your help. I am grateful for this opportunity. to have a platform to try and get my needs out there. It's a humbling experience. 

Thank you for reading this.