Arayna is an award winning artist, predominately self-taught, who enjoys a personal connection, feeling, and experience with her art work. She loves to convey this through the use of vibrant color, light and texture in her paintings. She strives to capture fleeting glimpses of everyday life - people, places, nature and animals - using many different types of media. She does not limit herself to one style, subject or medium. At this time, watercolor is the medium of choice. Arayna finds that the spontaneity of watercolor brings certain challenges. Sometimes, the “happy accidents” in creating with watercolor exceed her expectations for the particular piece she is working on, bringing her great excitement!
Arayna has a deep reverence for this beautiful earth that has been created for us to live on and enjoy.
Arayna finds inspiration for her creative spirit everywhere she looks and everywhere she goes. She is always looking for the next subject of her next painting!
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I was born in Tacoma, WA, and raised in Lewiston, ID. I was a teenager when we moved to Arizona, where my love of anything Southwestern comes from.
I am a floral designer, and in the past have owned and managed my own floral shop. My husband’s job brought us to Idaho and it was like coming back home. I currently live in Eagle. I have always tried to learn and grow as an artist. Only in recent years have I been able to truly focus on learning and growing artistically from fellow artists, books, magazines and workshops. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to travel to Europe, Finland, and Central and South America on art tours with nationally known instructors.
I have been juried into many shows and have won several awards. I currently belong to the Nampa Art Guild and the Idaho Watercolor Society (IWS), of which I am a signature member. I have had several successful one woman shows. My work has had the honor of being selected for the St. Luke’s Christmas card several times.
I am currently showing at the Gaia Gallery in Eagle, ID. I am also in many private, public and corporate collections.
AWARDS:
| 2014 | Solo Show at Nampa Civic Center, month of Feb. |
| 2013 | Shy Little Princess won Merchandise award - $125.00 Nampa Art Guild |
| 2013 | Ancient Abode won 1 st Place in Palouse Socius 6 state show |
| 2013 | Delicate Arch won Honorable mention in National Art in the Parks |
| 2013 | Another painting, Ancient Abode, placed in top 100 of National Art in the Parks |
| 2012 | Shadows of Taos Pueblo juried into Western Federation Of Watercolor Societies Show |
| 2012 | Bringing Em’ In juried into IWS show - Don Andrews, Juror |
| 2012 | Two Honorable Mentions, 3rd place Western Id. State Fair |
| 2011 | 4th Place - Ruth Clark Memorial Award - IWS Annual Juried Show |
| 2010 | Best Idaho Scene - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2010 | Purchase Award - IWS Annual Juried Show Broadbent Law Office Award Susan Webb Tregay, Juror |
| 2009 | Best Idaho Scene - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2009 | People’s Choice Award - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2008 | Best Idaho Scene - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2008 | Signature Membership in IWS |
| 2008 | Golden Artist Colors, Inc. Award - IWS Annual Juried Show Carol O’Conner, Juror |
| 2007 | Best of Show - Nampa Art Guild, Juried Show |
| 2007 | 2nd Place - IWS Annual Juried Show Frank Francese, Juror |
| 2006 | 1st Place - Nampa Art Guild, Juried Show |
| 2006 | 2nd Place - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2004 | Silver Award- Centennial 19 Juried Art Show |
| 2004 | 1st Place - Nampa Art Guild, Juried Show |
| 2004 | 3rd Place - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2004 | Jack Richeson and Co. Award - IWS Juried Show Stephen Quiller, Juror |
| 2003 | 2nd Place - Western Idaho State Fair |
| 2003 | 2nd Place - Nampa Art Guild Spring Show, Juried Show |
| 2003 | 2nd Place - Nampa Art Guild Fall Show, Juried Show |