About Me & My Art
About the Artist
Artist Statement:
The Peacock is a symbol of integrity and the beauty we can achieve when we endeavor to show our true colors. That sentiment was my motivation in designing the peacock logo for my business, Studio Artizta. Tying that belief into the essence of every painting, each unique creation touches on the “true beauty” of a special moment. Those moments, and the people & animals in them, are my inspiration.
Biography:
Growing up in NJ, Zandra remembers the joy she felt as a child as she watched her mother draw whimsical animals for her. She attributes her passion for painting animals to her mother, and the pursuit of her career as an artist to the support of both her parents.
Zandra studied at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, earning a BFA with a focus in Children’s Book Illustration. Post graduation, she worked in NYC as a designer/illustrator. In 2001 Zandra moved to NC, and after adding interior decorating courses to her repertoire, she started her own business. Now living in Kure Beach with her husband Kevin and two fur babies, she enjoys creating paintings inspired by beautiful shore birds, beach pups and stories set in front of her during her daily walks on the beach.
Zandra’s background in Children’s Book Illustration feeds the direction of her artwork. Primarily working in watercolors and acrylics, occasionally incorporating shells from the beach, or adding unexpected elements, she enjoys adding expressive touches of whimsy in her paintings to bring a smile to your face.
Studio Artizta has allowed her the freedom to focus on her passion, collaborating with clients to create one of a kind paintings, portraits, caricatures, and murals for their homes. She also hosts/teaches paint party classes, draws caricatures at events, and continues to work on publishing her stories and illustrations.
My artwork tells a story...
Moments when your fur baby makes you laugh with their quirks and unique personality, or stories encountered along your beach and nature walks…Like the fly-up-feathered windblown seagull as a gust of wind gives him a new “style”, or the acrobatic dance of a gull in flight on a quest for the best mid-air cracker bite.
The uniqueness in every pet or animal around us or the stories set in front of us along a scenic walk, is what I capture in my paintings.
My Girls
These are my two Fur Babies Ella (left) and Rina (right). They inspire me everyday to focus on painting Pet Portraits, Whimsical Paintings and Caricatures. I enjoy capturing the personality of a pet or animal, adding fun whimsical flare to my paintings to really make their quirks and unique personality shine through.