Biography

Arianne Vota Smeets was born and raised along historic Route 66 in the small farming community of Elwood, Illinois, in 1978 and now resides in Chicago. Vota Smeets earned a B.S. in Education from Illinois State University in 1999. Following graduation, she moved to Orange County, California, where she taught for three years before returning home. For another  four years, she dedicated herself to being an enthusiastic, caring and inspirational educator. During her seven years in the teaching profession, she designed and led numerous recognized educational initiatives, which culminated in being the student elected recipient of the Walmart and Sam’s Club Local Teacher of the Year 2007 Award.

Although primarily self-taught, Vota Smeets did study oil painting at the University of California Los Angeles during the summer prior to her graduation. She then began experimenting with sculpture in 2005 through a small-scale collection of pieces showcased in shadow boxes. Once completed, Vota Smeets began conceiving work that did not confine her heart to a box.

After making several life changes in 2007, involving her health, career, marriage, and residence, Arianne began further developing her sculpting skills by working on large-scale, multi-dimensional pieces combining the use of clay and canvas. Her debut collection, Aorta Transformata, totals thirty-one  pieces which chronicle the heart through healing and transformation.

Spiritually, Arianne is an intuitive and vessel for ancient Sa Sekhem Sahu Reiki divine healing energy. During the last five years, she has studied and healed with Unity Chicago, Inner Visions Worldwide and The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers at Omega Institute.  Much healing and inspiration has also been gained by quality time with the  Angels on earth disguised as family, friends,  loved ones and strangers.

2011 marks the beginning of Aorta Transformata, Inc., her 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, which will work in collaboration with other charities and healing groups throughout the country to create sacred art exhibits that activate and engage our greatest national resource: The Heart.   Aorta Transformata, Inc.’s mission is to help us to see each other at the heart level, in hopes that this will inspire humanity to become more universally compassionate and loving.