Meet Viviana Stone of Laguna Woods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Viviana Stone.

Hi viviana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started painting professionally over forty years ago, almost by accident. We had just moved into a new home, and I wanted to decorate it, but money was tight. I fell in love with a wallpaper pattern I couldn’t afford, so in a moment of frustration I thought, “Heck, I’ll paint it myself.” I didn’t measure or plan; I just dove in and to my surprise, it turned out beautifully.

Friends who came by started asking me to paint designs on their own walls, and before long I was creating murals all over town. In the ’90s, when trompe l’oeil was having its moment, I painted everything from people’s favorite posters to portraits of their children. I was a good copier back then, and that’s really how it all began.

Life was busy with work and raising kids, so painting remained a passionate side pursuit for many years. Later, when we moved near the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, I started taking night classes and studying with artists whose work truly resonated with me. I spent close to a decade there, soaking up everything I could…it was wonderful training and pure joy.

After retiring, I finally had the time and freedom to dive fully into painting. These days, my focus is on finding and refining my own voice, creating work that feels honest, expressive, and true to me.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but more like a winding one, with a lot of stop-and-go along the way. For years, I worked full-time and raised a family, so painting usually happened late at night or on weekends when everyone else was asleep. The desire was always there, but life just didn’t allow it to take center stage.

Honestly, one of the hardest parts has been finding my voice. That takes courage. You have to let go of fear and just go for it — even when it feels like you might be doing something crazy. It’s scary to create from that place of truth because you never really know how people will respond.

There were plenty of times I doubted myself or compared my work to others, but over time I realized that my art doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s — it just has to feel authentic to me. Every setback, every quiet stretch, has helped me grow into the artist I am now. And that makes the journey, with all its bumps, completely worth it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The road hasn’t always been smooth, but every twist and turn has shaped the artist I’ve become, and that’s reflected in my work today.

I create abstract paintings that are full of color, energy, and emotion. My work is intuitive and expressive, it’s about capturing movement, joy, and a sense of freedom. I’m known for my bold color combinations and for blending mid-century design influences with a more spontaneous, modern spirit.

Every painting begins in a raw, honest place. I often write words, scriptures, or personal thoughts directly onto the canvas, things that never show but become part of the piece. It’s like the soul beneath the surface. From there, I build layers of paint, shape, and rhythm until the work feels alive.

What sets my art apart, I think, is its honesty. It’s deeply personal yet somehow universal. People often tell me they feel something when they look at my paintings, and that means the world to me. I want my work to lift spirits, bring joy, and remind us that beauty can come from chaos.

I’m most proud of the way my art continues to evolve. Back in 2024, I went through the most creative burst of my life and realized I was experiencing “prolific” in real time. That period became a turning point …bold, graphic, and full of life. Prolific became more than a series; it became my mantra: to keep creating, keep growing, and keep showing up for the work, no matter what.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I think what I’d most want to say is this: it’s never too late to do what you love. Life can take you down a lot of winding roads before you find your own, but if that desire is in you – that pull to create, to paint, to build, to write, it’s there for a reason. Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how long they’ve been waiting.

Painting has always been my therapy. It’s how I process life, the joys, the losses, and everything in between. When I’m in my studio, it feels like a place of peace and possibility. Creating reminds me that beauty can rise out of chaos, and that we can start fresh every single day.

And to anyone who loves art, or is just discovering it, surround yourself with it. Live with it. Let it speak to you. Doing what I love every day keeps me grounded, grateful, and still excited about what’s next.

Pricing:

• Pricing varies by size and series. Original paintings and commissions available upon request

Contact Info:

• Website: vivfineart.com- website
• Instagram: @vivianafineart- Instagram
• Facebook: vivianafineart.net- Facebook

Image Credits
Photos by Sandy Baker