Biography
Zaiga Minka Thorson was born and raised in Michigan with three brothers – her parents were refugees from Latvia who settled there after WWII. She grew up bilingual with a strong appreciation for her cultural heritage.The woods and lakes were her playground and nature has continued to play an important role in her life, as well as her artwork. After completing a BFA in painting at Western Michigan University, she moved to Illinois to attend graduate school at Northern Illinois University, completing a MFA in painting. She worked in Chicago for a few years as a graphic designer and eventually landed on the western side of the state in the Quad Cities.

Thorson taught art and graphic design at Black Hawk College, Moline, Illinois for 23 years and is now happy to be a full-time artist. She loves to travel, exploring new places and meeting new people. She is interested in spiritual connections and believes in the ability of art to serve as a catalyst for healing, understanding and empathy among all human beings.