Born in the former Yugoslavia, today Serbia, Zana Ranđelović-Brown grew up in a land of striking contrasts, where ancient forests and old cities stood against the echoes of conflict. The war formed the backdrop of her childhood, shaping her deep sensitivity to fragility, resilience, and beauty. Those early impressions of history, myth, and nature remain woven into her visual language today.

Zana studied Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at the University of Belgrade, where she developed a strong foundation in form, balance, and the organic rhythm of the natural world. Drawn by a desire to explore new artistic horizons, she moved across continents to the United States and eventually made her home in New Orleans, a city whose creative energy and layered cultural spirit deeply resonated with her. There, she continued her studies in Fine Art and Interior Design, and in 2014, she devoted herself fully to painting as her life’s work.

Zana’s work embodies an ethereal harmony between what seems obvious and the unseen-a dialogue between the tangible and the spiritual. Layers of color, texture, and gold leaf reveal her fascination with transformation and light, often hinting at symbols of femininity, mythology, and the quiet power of introspection. Her paintings evoke the mystic landscapes of her European roots, while breathing with the rhythms of New Orleans.

Her works are part of private and public collections throughout the world and have been exhibited in galleries and museums internationally.

Guided by her mantra, “Close your eyes to see,” Zana invites viewers to move beyond the visible - to find meaning, emotion, and connection in the quiet spaces between light and shadow.