Meet Masha Coy of Miso Artzy in North Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Masha Coy.

Masha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My Art Business began as “The Quill” in Gates Mills, OH back in September of 1978 and has morphed into the current name “Miso Artzy” which I believe to be more unique. During my time of art instruction, I want people to be able to say with conviction: “Me, So Artsy!” because everyone has the creative fire within, although it may not be yet lit or it has been extinguished. All children are creative, and we as adults must never lose our childlike creativity.

My formal art training began long before college, thanks to my parents’ recognition of my fully drawn first figure at age 3. They are the ones who nurtured my fire within, and in 1965, I began to study under fellow Croatian, Mr. Joseph Turkaly (Josip Turkalj), a world-renowned artist who studied under Ivan Mestrovic, who had in turn studied under Auguste Rodin. Mr. Turkaly allowed me to touch the tools of Rodin (artist of The Thinker). Mr. Turkaly’s works can be seen throughout Europe, in Washington, DC-National Cathedral, and the Moses at Notre Dame University.

My parents are immigrant children who nurtured my passion for art in all forms, and many thanks to them, I studied ballet, piano, voice (under one of the Metropolitan Opera singers), classical guitar( under Andre Segovia’s student, Andrej Mentschukoff), and I went to Croatian school with my Father who taught me Croatian dances called “kolo” meaning wheel, Croatian songs, and Tamburitzan instruments: Prim (like Mandolin) and Bugarija (like guitar). My Father even built a darkroom in the basement for my love of photography, and I assisted in the creation of my high school yearbooks. My Slovenian Mother kept many customs and traditions alive within our family and also taught me eggs batik, ‘Pisanice’ (the Ukraine eggs ‘Pysanky’ use the same batik process and more well-known than the Croatian name). I found it interesting that the Trypillian egg designs are similar to the Celtic knotwork as well as American Indian pottery designs. Art, as does food, unites us as one people of the world. I consider myself a Citizen of the World, although I am very proud to be a second generation American with the freedom to express myself in all art forms.

My name in Croatian is Maria and not Mary as I was Baptized. My mother was not fond of the name Maria, and thus when she was teaching European Studies and Russian Literature at John Carroll University, she came across the diminutive of Maria – Masha, and so it began way back in the early 1960s. A Croatian/Slovenian gal obtained a Russian nickname that has followed her throughout many years. I did not want to forsake my Croatian maiden name of Babic, and I did not want to utilize my married name of Coy. All of my art is simply signed, Masha.

My clients have included Neiman Marcus, Sak’s Fifth Ave, and Huntington National Bank, for which I have provided Calligraphy skills. I also provided drawings for Cleveland Clinic which were utilized in JAMA for Pulmonary Critical Care articles, and I was Resident Artist for the Wayne County Schools and instructed Art at Wayne College, part of Akron University in Ohio. One of my many favorite memories was instructing Calligraphy to a room that included Amish students. The respect for people I found to be outstanding.

I currently provide home paint parties in Phoenix, have provided art in many forms to various Practitioner offices in Ohio and Phoenix, provided Calligraphy for Bar Mitzvah’s, Weddings, and new Baby Announcements, as well as pencil portraits, and logos. In 2018, I aided in making crocheted blankets for Phoenix’s Refugees, and I have even provided large play backdrops and decorations for the Holidays at churches as my donation.

My current travels through my travel agency, “Suite Muse Travel” and my Healthcare IT Consulting, bring much inspiration to my creative art business. I believe, each individual is a culmination of their experiences and the people with whom they interact. My diverse style (from classical icons to modern paintings) is a reflection of my life’s rich experiences! Travel is my healthy inspirational addiction!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Selling my skill sets used to feel uncomfortable in the beginning, until I received my first small commission check after I provided decorative sink painted flower designs in the 1970s. That was my first check for work performed, and then I realized, my art was worth selling and promoting. Selling my art to people meant that I need to be more of a ‘hunter’ type personality, and I need to know when the correct time is to talk about my art. If their interest is peaked, then I show them my art on Instagram under Miso Artzy or Artist_Masha. Selling my art has become easier with the use of Social Media.

Please tell us about your art.
My art skill sets include miniatures to larger installations from modern marketing to classic icons. Because my works are unique and are a wide array of mediums, I can offer my clients whatever fits their needs.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents and my art teachers, while I was cheered on by my family and friends. Out of everyone, my parents come first because they believed in me and saw my talent at age three, followed by Joseph Turkaly who was my Mentor, because he took me under his wing when I was five years old.

Contact Info:

• Email: misoartzy@gmail.com
• Instagram: artist_masha Miso Artzy, LLC

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