About

A little about Rayna

With nearly 25 years in design and advertising, Rayna’s career evolved through a variety of roles, shaping her creative vision. Her journey began in 1999 when she launched a web design and development venture that grew into a full-service advertising agency. In 2014, her career was unexpectedly interrupted by a diagnosis of primary Amyloidosis, leading to a stem cell transplant in 2015 and a heart transplant in 2018. While this challenge reshaped her life, a return to health reignited her passion for design and photography. 

After earning an AFA in Graphic Design from Casper College in 2024, Rayna transferred to the University of Wyoming, where she is pursuing a BFA in Visual Communication Design with a minor in Photography, with an expected graduation date of May 2026. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a masters degree with the goal of teaching at the secondary-education and collegiate levels, guiding future visual communicators in both professional and creative pursuits.

Rayna's Artist Statement

Visual storytelling has always been part of who I am. Through photography and design, I’ve shared stories, my own as a young woman, wife, and mother, and those of others. As a graphic designer, I’ve shaped visual messages, crafting meaning and connection through design.

Then life threw an unexpected detour. A terminal diagnosis, chemotherapy, and two transplants upended everything. At my weakest, I couldn’t sit at a computer or lift a camera, but my mind never stopped creating. Even when survival was uncertain, the drive to make art never left me.

Now, my photography is more intentional, drawn to the beauty often overlooked, the quiet, fleeting moments that surround us. Working in both digital and film, I explore portraiture, dance, landscape, and macro photography, each offering a different way to experience texture, movement, and light. In graphic design, I bring the same sense of purpose, solving visual challenges and refining my craft in an ever-evolving field.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I approach it with hope. I want my work to stand as a testament to resilience, discovery, and the healing power of art. More than anything, I hope it invites others to see not just what is, but what is possible, to recognize the strength and beauty that emerge even in life’s hardest moments.