Carissa Joie Luminess enjoyed a bi-coastal upbringing and studied in San Francisco at The Academy of Art, as well as upstate New York, where she received her Masters of Fine Arts from the S.U.N.Y. at Albany in 1985.  It was there, she was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Art. She has been a full time professional artist ever since, painting nature as a celebration and bringing joy to her wide audience.