TennesseeSelf-Taught Beth LaPenna grew up taking art lessons, fostering an early fascination with art and nature. The artwork her father collected throughout her childhood was also very influential for her. As a young person, LaPenna often investigated her mother’s diamond wedding ring to admire the prism of colors it held, describing it as a rainbow after a storm. This instilled in her a love for visualizing color, which later became a central aspect of her work. After working as a licensed interior designer for over thirty years, LaPenna discovered acrylic fluid art in 2017. Since that discovery, she has experimented with textures, patterns, and a variety of styles ranging from traditional to modern. Now considered an abstract impressionist, LaPenna’s work emphasizes movement and color. Painting became a way to lift myself up from the ashes. It was a true breakthrough after a health breakdown. My joyful spirit and natural inquisitiveness returned, and art became my therapy. I believe art heals in miraculous ways for both the viewer and the artist.Whether my pieces are playful and colorful or more muted and somber, I want the viewer to come away feeling enriched in some way. My hope is my art will touch someone at a soul level, perhaps recalling a time or place long forgotten. Especially since COVID, painting is a way to connect and communicate. And I am truly grateful to offer a fresh new perspective on life through my art.