Artist Diana Madaras who says painting "fills me with joy" is equally well known for her bold, colorful artwork as for her generous charitable giving.

Madaras owns two galleries in Tucson, Arizona that feature her work exclusively, and is president of the nonprofit Art for Animals Foundation, a charity she founded in 1999 to help abused, injured and orphaned animals.

Madaras is a colorist who celebrates the subtle, natural beauty of ordinary scenes in a way that is both intense and dramatic. She paints in both watercolor and acrylic and has a diverse portfolio — from brilliant desert landscapes to expressionistic portraits.

"When I paint I feel euphoric," Madaras says. "Painting connects me to the world and allows me to express myself and translate what I see and feel onto canvas."

A signature member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild, Madaras has been featured in a dozen one-woman shows and her art has hung in the Tucson Museum of Art.

Much in demand for commissioned artwork, Madaras has completed paintings for Westin, Loews, and Miraval resorts. She also has created eight paintings for the estate of the former President of Mexico. Her painting, The Blues at Old Main, was commissioned for the cover of Alumnus, the University of Arizona alumni magazine with a circulation of 150,000.

Madaras is very active in community service and her artwork has benefited more than 100 charities. "I believe that when you have a wonderful, fortunate life, it's important to give back and help others who need a hand up," she said. In 2008 her art show African Sojourn raised $80,000 for charity. The show followed an exciting photographic safari to South Africa and Botswana, a trip the artist describes as an unforgettable adventure. "If I can help animals and people through my art, there's nothing better."

As a board member of the Boys and Girls Club, Madaras donates thousands of dollars worth of paintings and art gifts to the organization's annual auction. Her art calendar benefits the Arthritis Foundation, and in 1999 the foundation named her Philanthropist of the Year. In 2000, the Rotary Club of Tucson honored her with its Four-Way Award, the highest honor given to a non-Rotarian for community service. Madaras was honored as Woman of the Year by New Beginnings for Women in 2003.

Madaras was voted Tucson's Best Visual Artist of 2004, 2005, and 2008. Dozens of newspaper and magazine articles have been written about her and her work, and she has been featured on television shows produced by NBC, CBS, and PBS affiliates.

Madaras earned a master's degree from the University of Arizona in 1977. Before opening her art galleries, she operated a high-profile sports marketing company in Tucson, promoting major sporting events including LPGA and PGA golf tournaments. A month-long painting trip to Greece in 1993 changed her life, prompting her to sell her marketing company and devote her career to painting.

For more information about Diana Madara's artwork and galleries please visit http://www.madaras.com/