'Nature up close and in depth'

The painting was accepted as one of the 50 finalists out of 1,742 entries representing 970 artists from 14 countries.

The competition, "Blossom – Art of Flowers," is sponsored by The Susan Kathleen Black Foundation, in Lake George, Colo.

"Shadow Play" is one of a series of florals that von Isser, 48, has painted. It was inspired by a Mexican gold poppy that was found locally in a field of wildflowers.

"My floral paintings provide a unique look at nature up close and in depth," von Isser said.

As a finalist, von Isser has a chance of winning one of the 16 cash awards, including a $25,000 grand prize.

Von Isser will attend an awards presentation March 14 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The painting will be on public display in Houston from March 17 through May 20. A two-year national museum tour will follow.

Tucson's Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is one of the museums on the tour. The painting will be returned to von Isser in 2010.

"I am overwhelmed and grateful for the publicity this tour will give my work," von Isser said. "My goal has been for my paintings to cause people to stop, be still and reflect upon the wonder and beauty that surrounds them."

Von Isser, a 25-year resident of Tucson, is married and a mother of two teen boys, 15 and 13. Her husband, Tony von Isser, works at Raytheon Co. — where Elizabeth worked as an engineer for seven years. She left the full-time work force when her children were born.

"Painting has been a hobby that I have absolutely loved since I was a teenager," von Isser said. "I have only been painting professionally for a year and a half.

"I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. I always was trying to find ways to earn an income and still be at home with my boys."

Because she loved to paint, von Isser was creating an inventory of paintings. In September of 2005, she had an idea for a business. She shared her inspiration with her longtime friend Susan Zibrat. Her idea was to start a business that would market her paintings to the public.

Oro Valley resident Zibrat, 48, is married and a stay-at-home mom with two daughters, 14 and 12. The Zibrats have been Tucson residents for 22 years. Scott Zibrat, Susan's husband, also works at Raytheon.

"Susan has a business background. I asked her to be my business manager, help me set up the business and promote my artwork," von Isser said. "I was thrilled when she enthusiastically said, 'Yes.' "

The two friends went to work and began the task of formally setting up a business called Creative Reflections Art Studio.

"We read everything we could get our hands on about the unique business of art and working with galleries," Zibrat said. "We even took a business class together."

Zibrat strives to get von Isser recognition for her work. Her painting "Into the Deep" was awarded the People's Choice Award in the greater Oro Valley art competition at Ventana Medical Systems this past summer. The painting is on display through January at J&R Framing Gallery 6460 N. Oracle Road.

Von Isser also has six paintings on display at Spice Bistro, 10325 N. La Cañada Drive.

From Feb. 11 to Feb. 23, von Isser's paintings will be displayed at De Grazia Gallery in the Sun, 6300 N. Swan Road, in the Little Gallery.

"Although many apply, only 13 are chosen by the committee to display their artwork for two weeks at a time from November to March," said Lance Laber, director of De Grazia Gallery. "We are pleased to make the Little Gallery available for emerging Tucson artists like Elizabeth to show their work."

Von Isser's paintings range in price from $694 to $3,312.

To expand the business, Zibrat and von Isser have developed a Web site and are marketing note cards featuring prints of original von Isser paintings. Ten note cards cost $15.

Zibrat and von Isser are excited about their new adventure and plan on being in business for a long time

"We have only just begun, and we are having the time of our lives," von Isser said. "And we are still stay-at-home moms."

To learn more

● For information about Elizabeth von Isser's original paintings and note cards, call Susan Zibrat at 877-9282 or log on to www.intocreation.com.