Before immigrating to the United States, renowned artist Zara was a prominent painter in her native Armenia. She earned her master of fine arts degree at Yerevan State University, where she later taught painting. Though she looks to Russian academic painting and surrealism as strong influences, Zara cultivates her own unique style, which is grounded in her broad knowledge of art history. Her artwork has earned her acclaim in the United States, Russia, and France, where she shows frequently in group and solo exhibitions, and she has more recently participated in exhibitions in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Detroit.