Maarika lives in Fairview, TN with her husband and three beautiful children. She has been drawing and painting all her life. Some favorite subjects include sketching people in pencil, painting houses and other small scale subjects, and creating murals. She is influenced by many, but loves ancient cave paintings, Romantic art and the Impressionists. Maxfield Parrish is one artist/illustrator who inspires a love of painting light. Future painting plans include more Asian and Tuscan inspired murals, an Insect study on canvas, a modern interpretation of ancient art, and "From Red Blood Cells to Black Holes".