Raina was born and raised in Southern California . As a young adult, in 1990, she moved to Arizona to attend Prescott College where she earned a BA degree in Environmental Philosophy. After graduating she made her living doing odd jobs, and as an outdoor guide for several adventure companies in Arizona , eventually going back to Prescott College to teach rock climbing courses for many years. Art had always been a part of Raina’s life, and she had often dreamed of becoming an artist, but she was reluctant to fully commit to her artwork because of typical fears that artists have. One day while browsing through a room mates copy of a Griffin and Sabine book, an overwhelming feeling came over her, and she knew that she could no longer ignore the yearning inside her. Taking a big risk, Raina quit her job at the college, applied to the University of Arizona ’s art program, and gave notice to her roommates that she was moving to Tucson , alll within a weeks time. From that moment on the universe seemed to support her desire, and propel her forward toward the goal of becoming a more accomplished artist, making it obvious to Raina that she had made the best decision of her life. She received her degree in art from the UA in 2002. Raina’s artwork incorporates her studies in printmaking, life drawing, collage, and painting, and is heavily influenced by her education at Prescott College . She views each canvas as a playground for her psyche, each piece evolving naturally and intuitively without structure or expectation about the final outcome. It is only in hindsight that she discovers the meaning of the work, sometimes not until years later. Through this organic approach to artmaking, Raina believes she taps into, and expresses universal themes that many people can identify with. Through complex layering of various media, with a focus on the human form, she creates meaningful, evocative works that draw her viewers in. Raina’s artwork can be found at the following locations: Jerome Artist Cooperative Gallery in Jerome , Arizona ; Bohemia in The Lost Barrio, Tucson , Arizona ; Page Springs Cellars Wine Tasting Room in Cornville , Arizona ; Arizona Handmade Gallery in Flagstaff , Arizona . Email Monsoon.raina@gmail.com |
 |
Drawing Out Our Inner Artist (controlled chaos) - Thursday/Friday evenings |
Raina Gentry |