Marta Donayre's interest in the visual arts started at a very young age. When she was around seven years old, she asked her parents to enroll her in a correspondence drawing course. She was delighted when she received her first lesson, but the frustration of not having a teacher to ask questions of led her to abandon the endeavor. Ever since, she's convinced herself that she could not draw and abandoned her artistic pursuits.

In addition to drawing, she adores writing, and began her first novel at age nine. Her parents encouraged her, but living in an overall unsupportive environment she was unable to thrive. The underlying message she received, whether intentional or not, was that in the end she would have to go to college and focus on a "solid" career. The arts were "fun," but the message she received from the broader society made her distance herself from the arts altogether.

Only when Donayre enrolled in a Master's program at Naropa University did her passion rekindle. She began to paint again, even though she had no formal education in the arts. Since then, she has become a prolific outsider artist.

Her work cannot be easily categorized, since Donayre's paintings reflect the complexity of her interests. She explores various themes, ranging from abstract to political. Please visit her galleries to learn more about this talented painter's work.

Donayre is a Latina of Brazilian citizenship and mixed heritage -- including Croatian, Italian and Quechua, among others. She identifies as Native American, and is currently exploring her Quechua roots.

Marta Donayre can be reached at marta_donayre@yahoo.com