Meet Ariana Schivinski | Photographer and Wildlife Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariana Schivinski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariana, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am born and raised in Colorado. From a very young age I was taught how important and beautiful nature and art is to the world. We always had unique pets like snakes and lizards, which made me fall in love with the animals most people view as creepy. This passion bled over into my love for drawing and as I got older I was bullied for being the ‘weird snake girl’. I decide to take my loves and combine, using art to show the beauty of the natural world and help with the conservation of some animals people may not think of. Around the age of 15 I picked up photography as well to show off the intricate lives of animals. These hobbies turned business are how I prefer and tend to spend most of my free time. I love it and the message I get to spread now as an adult due too the world I was made to appreciate as a kid.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I do wildlife art and photography that is centered are nature and the animals in it. I am a young artist that mainly focused on reptile art, which is a sort niche subject. I also try to take most of my own reference pictures or get them from close friends to support other artists. I got on social media at a young age and started promoting my amateur photography along with the reptiles I kept. I gained a following of people that also kept reptiles and they supported me. It wasn’t until about two years ago I began trying to sell prints of my art and photography. It’s been a very rocky road and a lot of unreturned investments. But I keep pushing and have started to vend reptile expos around town which has been most successful since it is the niche group most my art relates too. Luckily I have so many friends and family that supports and shares my work that have gained me even more supporters. Ive learned art is very subjective and I can’t get down about not everyone wanting my art. I know it’s different from most and a lot of people don’t want a photo of a snake on their wall. I have other pieces that cater more to the general public that tend to be more ‘successful’ but I get more joy out of selling my favorites. I want my art to show people there is beauty in the creepy crawlies and our earth is worth saving.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite places in Colorado tend to be in the mountains, or the lakes. I would love to take a friend fourwheeling to Wheeler Lake. It’s a beautiful drive and the scenery at the end is just gorgeous. I would likely take them to 16th street mall as well for a different atmosphere, shopping and people watching. For a relaxing day we might walk through the Downtown Aquarium go to Estes Park to see the elk and have good food. For an experience like none other I’d take them to Meow Wolf in Denver. For some fresh air I’d love to take a friend to Chatfield Reservoir or Castlewood Canyon for a chance at some cool wildlife,

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this to all the people in the reptile/exotic animal community who’ve made me feel accepted and supported my art from early on. The people that are part of this community fight everyday for the unloved creatures and are a kindhearted group.

Instagram: Caiman Eye Studios

Facebook: Caiman Eye Studios/ Ariana Schivinski