At right is my logo drawing, which I use on my business cards, letterhead, etc. People always know right away that it is me, and remark on the resemblance - so now it also sits here in lieu of a current photograph, which I do not have (OK I take a terrible picture and don't want to inflict that on unsuspecting visitors!).

GENERAL ARTIST'S STATEMENT -
"I am a painter and sculptor working in mixed media whose images are inspired by my love of this planet; a deep empathy for animals, and a feminist worldview. Within my artworks, "ordinary reality" is often suspended: the landscape of mythos and dreams is explored.

My art is based in narrative imagery: each piece telling a story. Oftentimes the stories come from my own imagination and inner psyche; sometimes the stories are informed by the folktales of various cultures.

My work is colorful and emotional: it is often humorous. Each piece illustrates my reverence for the rich tapestry that is life on earth: waking and sleeping; heroic and humble; sacred and profane.

In addition to fantasy illustration work that I do; currently I am creating the artwork for a Tarot deck and writing a book to accompany it"

ARTIST'S BIO and EDUCATION-
"I was born and grew up in Southern California: received a BA degree from the University of California at San Bernardino in 1985, additionally having completed some coursework toward an MA degree in Art. I also earned a California State Certificate in Museum Studies. (I did some of my graduate work and museum internships thru UC Riverside). The sudden death of my Father in Spring 1985 precipitated a need for change and time away from academia, and so I moved to Tucson, Arizona without completing a graduate degree. In the Tucson area, I have pursued a career as a fine artist and as the owner of a small cactus nursery business. I closed the nursery business in 2000 in order to devote myself to my artwork full-time. I am presently creating my artworks primarily in the mediums of painting (acrylics on varied surfaces) and sculpture (mixed media based in wood), although I maintain an interest in photography and digital media. In September 2006 I received a sudden 'surprise' diagnosis of rather advanced Ovarian Cancer (IIIc), and was immediately admitted in to the hospital for emergency surgery followed by 2 courses of chemotherapy. My entire previous life was pretty much swept away by this catastrophic event: my partner died while I was in hospital; I lost my home and income. I have survived all this however, and am now making a comeback, which includes moving into a whole new mode of living and direction with my life. I still feel great passion for my art and will always create art in some form, but my new life also involves service to our fellow creatures, the animals, whom I was called to help in visions after my surgery. I now live in the semi-rural historical community of Oracle, Arizona, 35 miles north of Tucson, and plan to enter school to study Veterinary Science this Summer of 2007."

"My BA degree was earned in Studio Art, with an emphasis in Fine Art Photography; undergraduate minor in Anthropology/Museum Studies. Additional coursework in Communication (Graphic) Design. My museum/gallery experience (in conjunction with California State Certificate Program) consists of internships and paid work in museum exhibit preparation and design, and art gallery management and exhibit design. This work was done at the California Museum of Photography in Riverside, California; The SanBernardino County Museum in Redlands, California; The Palm Springs Desert Museum, in Palm Springs, California, and at the University Art Galleries at Cal State SanBernardino."

GALLERY EXHIBITIONS -
Note that at present I am not pursuing any exhibition opportunities, and so these are not particularly recent...

November 2005 - May 2006, the Robert Raikes Gallery, Tucson, AZ. Gallery Represented Artist. (Unfortunately the Gallery is now closed.)
September 10 - December 10, 2005, "Coming Home", 40th Anniversary Alumni Art Exhibition, Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, California State University, SanBernardino, CA.
Oct 28 - 31, 2004, Women in Fantasy and Horror, World Fantasy Convention Art Show, Tempe, AZ.
June 4, 2004, - August 28, 2004, "Monsoon!", Tohono Chul Park Exhibit Hall, Tucson, AZ.
Jan. 16, 2003 - Mar. 23, 2003, "Borderland Saints: Images in Southwestern Art", Tohono Chul Park Exhibit Hall, Tucson, AZ.
July 18, 2002 - Aug. 15, 2002, "Summer Exposition", The Women's Gallery of the Amazon Foundation, Tucson, AZ.
May 24, 2001 - July 22, 2001, "Re-Visions II: Art from Recycled Materials", Tohono Chul Park Exhibit Hall, Tucson AZ.

GENERAL EXHIBITION HISTORY -
2003 - 2006 Spring and Fall, Catalina Artist's Studio Tour
October, 2004, World Fantasy Convention Art Show, Tempe, AZ.
1995-2005, Tohono Chul Park Gallery and Gallery Shops, Tucson, AZ. (Gallery Artist)
August, 2002 The Women's Gallery of the Amazon Foundation, Tucson, AZ.
May, 2002 Media West Con Art Show, Lansing, MI.
2000-2001 various, Art Center at Fuller Lodge, Los Alamos, NM.
1995-1999 annually, Tucson-Pima Arts Council Gallery and Rural Artist's Travelling Exhibition
1988-1990 and 1999-2001 and 2003, various, WomanKraft Art Center, Tucson, AZ.

ARTIST ORGANIZATIONS -
Catalina Artist's Studio Tour
member, Ponies del Pueblo juried artist's roster (a public art project of Tucson-Pima Arts Council)
member, Arizona Comission on the Arts juried roster of 100 Arizona public artists
member, Artist Register.com (awarded with above)
former President, Catalina Arts Council (funded thru Tucson-Pima Arts Council)
former working member, WomanKraft, Tucson, Arizona
member, Media West (convention art show exhibitor)

(NOTE - until 1999 I worked under the nom de plume "Turtle Woman", and in some of the above exhibitions and organizations I participated under that name.)

I have also completed numerous private comissions for outdoor murals and pictorial signs, as well as art cars. References and photos of these available upon request.

CONTACT INFORMATION -
Louise "Luna" Rivera P.O. Box 8443 Catalina, AZ. 85738-0443 voice mail 520.896.9206 E-Mail: luna@lunarivera.com