Hello, my name is Stephanie Marie Lujan and I am a landscape artist by nature/self taught based in the Santa Cruz Mountains living amongst the Giant Redwoods. I have been painting for 30+ years and I have built up a body of art that I am well pleased with. Since I recently retired from Soquel Union School District after working 20 years with special needs elementary age students, I have become a full time artist. My paintings are mostly inspired by nature such as west coast beach sunsets, sunrises, and trees. Using acrylic and oil paint my specialty is in blending colors to produce an abstract/realism effect. Most of my paintings have evolved from my love of photography, I'll capture great photos to create my own one-of-a-kind paintings. I'm grateful to have been selected to participate in the Santa Cruz County Open Studios last fall. Currently I am proceeding to book Art Fairs, Makers Markets, and Pop Ups. I have a wide range of original paintings, canvas prints, paper prints, post cards etc. I love dabbling in crafts to decorate my vender spaces, mostly hanging decor made of redwood rounds, driftwood, colorful beads etc. which are also for sale. Working with special needs student behaviors has strengthen my skills and the ability to treat people with kindness even in challenging situations. Being happily married 40+years and raising four beautiful Sons has been my greatest achievement in life. I look forward to my career in the arts. Cheers to the future!