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50. That number can mean so many things. A name of the highway I have travelled for the past 30 years, seeing the glass as half full, half a century, and it was also the age I began painting. I had always wanted to paint. I had studied a few artists for a few years before, watched their techniques, bought supplies and then, surprisingly, hesitant to start. In 2016, on my 50th birthday, it hit me, no more waiting. I was now on the other side of my life, feeling like it was more of a countdown to the end. And…it seemed like the perfect time, my daughters were pretty much raised and now I had time to focus more on creativity. I often regret that I did not start sooner. It has enriched my life, even when I thought it could not get any creamier.

In September 2019, I did the Strada Easel Challenge, which consisted of creating an oil painting of a live subject, everyday for 30 days, en Plein Air. I rose to the challenge even though it was tough, staying up many late nights after work to complete the task. I was happy with a few of those paintings, but it was when I discovered Nicholas Wilton and his Art to Life program, that I loved creating even more. I look back at the first oil paintings and they feel stiff to me. I always wanted to paint “looser” and am still learning. Now the start of a painting is very different. Whether it is a landscape or a colorful abstract. I have learned to see where a painting takes me instead of having the end in mind. It is challenging at times, but I have learned to keep going, change it, build up layers. I can see the progress and yet feel like I have so far to go still. I love learning and studying other artists. I still want to study portraiture. I have been blessed to have a very supportive husband and family along this journey. They are my everything. And getting to create everyday is a bonus at this time in my life. Thank you for visiting my website, take a look around and enjoy the art!

Biography

Audra (Stevenett) Naccarato was born in Alberta, Canada in 1966 to Ted and Audrey Stevenett. She moved to the United States with her parents and 8 brothers and sisters at the age of 12. She has been a creative since her youth with interests in photography, sewing, apparel design and graphic design. She holds a AA degree in Graphic Design and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Fashion Design. She worked in the 90’s with the leather company, Firenze Designs in Santa Barbara, CA. Traveling to Paris every year for inspiration. She has been married to Anthony Naccarato since 1992 and while raising her three daughters; Cassara, Paige and Hailey, stayed creative designing logos for businesses, scrapbooking her family life, sewing wedding dresses & home decor. She created two jewelry lines- Tahoe Girl and Metal Road that were successful with locals and all who love Lake Tahoe. Today, she also focuses on her new love, her Granddaughter Rowen and creates paintings in her home studio in South Lake Tahoe, California, whenever she gets the chance.