Many artists draw inspiration from life experiences that have affected them on an emotional level, and for Aleksandra Buha growing up in war-torn Bosnia Herzegovina has inspired her to explore her memories with art.
Buha went to school in Doboj, a small town in her native nation, until the war broke out in 1992.
"It seemed like it happened overnight. It was May 1, our national Labor Day and we were having fun."
"The Sunday before we went back to school there was an announcement on the radio that said the city was being shut down and everyone had to stay in their homes until further announcement, and it started from there."
"At first the whole community thought it was just going to last a couple of weeks, but the fighting increased and we knew it was not going to stop."
"My family decided to send my brother and me to a safer part of the country," Buha said.
Buha, who was 15 at the time, moved to Serbia with her 14-year-old brother and went to school there.
"It was so unreal because you go from normal life one day and the next day everything is shut down, you have police hours, and overnight people started to go missing," she said.
"There was a lot of uncertainty and violence, missing family and friends and death."
They went for weeks without electricity and water.
"It doesn't sound like something you would think would happen in your lifetime, but then it does."
While in high school one of Buha's teachers encouraged her to pursue art, but at the time she decided to study literature instead.
Buha and her family moved to Arizona in 1997 through a Catholic refugee resettlement program with the help of her uncle who already lived in Arizona.
For the past seven years, Buha has taught annual workshops about her culture for City of Phoenix employees.
"They were interested because there were so many refugees coming in and they really were not familiar with the culture," she said.
Then, in 1998 she decided that she wanted to study art, so she enrolled in her first live drawing class at Phoenix College.
"The teacher was so encouraging with his comments that I decided to take another class with him."
In fall 2001, she applied to ASU where she went on to take her first oil painting class.
"I had never painted with oils, but I knew I could do it."
It took two semesters before she got into a painting class because she had to study basics and theory first. It was in 2002 that she created her very first painting.
"I enjoyed it so much, I just felt an emotional connection, and it felt so good."
As she was nearing graduation she applied to the Step Gallery, where she ended up having a week-long solo exhibition. That was also the first time she sold her work.
Buha likes to work in a variety of mediums, but oils are her favorite.
"I like to work with lots of movement, broad brush strokes, vibrant color, figure work and whatever I feel like expressing at the moment," she said.
"A lot of my newer pieces deal with memories. I think I am finally ready to reflect."
Buha is currently working as the head designer on a mural for the Paradise Valley Community College Justice Department.
In addition to her art, Buha also studied fashion and now works as a costume designer, creating beautiful, beaded dresses for ballroom dancers.
Some of her work is currently on display at the Herberger Theater Center through April 1.
Works by Aleksandra Buha featured in the exhibit Drawing Energy, Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe Street, Phoenix, 602.254.7399, Through April 1, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.