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Renata was born in Czechoslovakia, now known as the Slovak Republic, in the city of Michalovce. She became inspired in the arts by her art teacher and her grandfather who created a bronze bust for Tomas Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia. This led to her interest in painting and studying  art in school.

Her Mother, while visiting relatives in the United States sought political asylum and remained in the United States. Renata was still in school and was living with her grandmother during this time. The government prevented her from joining her family for several years. After many petitions and several years she was finally able to join her mother and brother in the United States. She wanted to continue her art studies but a shortage of money and family needs came first.  After she got married and had a son, she tried to continue her oil paintings of landscapes.  This however, took backseat to the needs of her family and her computer career in systems. Her art had to wait.

Renata’s passion for art continued and after 20 years, Renata decided to change her career. She studied art with portrait artist Bill Kufahl and continued with classes at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where she received her Certificate of Completion in 2004.  She also studied figure drawing and painting with George Kozmon.  Renata’s life-like portraits in charcoal, pastels and oils, capture the essence of the individual and bring life to the paintings. Her art has been shown and auctioned at local Charity Benefits, in storefront Window Displays and at local Art Galleries.

"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands." ~ Michelangelo