Ivana Starcevic

In the stillness of the full moon on October 17, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ivana Starcevic was re-leased from her earthly bonds and embraced eternal life, earning the peace she had sought and deserved.

We find solace in knowing she has reunited with her beloved son, Rastko Starcevic, and her loving mother, Ljiljana Tatomirovic.

Born on February 7, 1955, in Belgrade, Serbia, Ivana immigrated to the United States, settling in Albuquerque in 1989. Over the next 35 years, she built an immensely successful and fulfilling life and made a profound impact as a renowned artist, an innovative professional and, most importantly, a dedicated mother to her precious son, Rastko.

Rastko was her pride and joy. Following his passing in 2023, Ivana often spoke of seeing him again in Heaven. The special bond they shared was evident to all who were fortunate enough to know them. Their mutual love of photography, technol- ogy and learning enriched their lives together. Ivana took great pride in being a dual citizen of her native Serbia and the United States, yet she identified herself as a "citizen of the world." She and Rastko often reminisced about their travels, sharing experiences and photos from the various places they visited.

From the moment you met Ivana, her caring heart and vibrant personality shone through. She lived with inten- tion, finding joy in enlightening others and making a positive impact on their lives. Ivana's love for art was profoundly evident in every aspect of her life. Cele- brated for her vibrant artwork, which reflected her rich personality and emotional depth, she inspired many throughout her life. Her artistic journey began at the age of four, when she became fascinated with all things art-related. This passion continued as she completed her BA in Painting and Ceramics and her MFA in Mixed Media at the Academy of Applied Arts in Belgrade. She later earned a postgraduate degree in Printmaking from the University of New Mexico. Ivana opened her first art gallery in Serbia, marking the beginning of her illustrious career. Over the decades, she specialized in ceramics, photography, printmaking, sculpture, painting and technology.

A proud member of the New Mexico art community, Ivana was represented in numerous galleries throughout her career, most notably Ghostwolf Gallery and Weems Gallery in Albuquerque, as well as Earthen Vessel Gallery in Durango, Colorado. She participated in countless gallery shows, studio tours and art festivals, showcasing both group and solo exhibitions. Her work was highlighted in various media publications, and she participated in several International Art Colonies early in her career in Belgrade. Additionally, Ivana was a successful photographer, contributing regularly to Getty Images. Ivana found immense joy in photo- graphing rescue animals, using her lifelong passion for animals to help them secure loving homes. She shared her life with a pack of five rescue dogs and fostered many more during her time in Albuquerque, dedicating herself to their well-being and future. Visitors to Ivana's home often delighted in watching her move around, warmly accompanied by her loyal companions, each one a testament to her compassion and commitment to making a difference.

Please take some time to enjoy Ivana's portfolio at the following link: https://www.ivanastudio.com

Ivana had a successful corporate career in Albuquerque.

A proud freelance fine artist from 1979 to 2024, she also worked as an Information Designer from 1989 to 1996, during which time she owned and operated a freelance information design and consultation studio specializing in visual design and web development. She later served as Program Manager and Creative Director for the Northrop Grumman Corporation in Albuquerque, dedi- cating 20 years to the company from 1997 to 2017. Throughout her time at NGC, Ivana made a significant impact on numerous lives and added great value to the company. As you can see, art was an integral part of all aspects of Ivana's life.

Ivana always took time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Her love of music encompassed a variety of genres, including Latin music, jazz, French classical, and in- strumental. She enjoyed curling up with a good book and a cup of tea in the evenings. In her later years, Ivana developed a fascination with artificial intelligence, exploring AI art and finding great success and joy in creating AI images. She loved playing board games and card games with friends and family, particularly mah- jongg, which she often played with her treasured artist friends. In her final year, she found delight in complet- ing puzzles, joyfully working with her loved ones to solve them.

Ivana is survived by her brother, Petar (Zorica) Tatomirovic, and two nephews, Aleksandar and Mihailo Tatomirovic, as well as cousins and countless close friends. All will carry her memory and legacy forward. Ivana is preceded in death by Rastko, Ljiljana and her father, Milan Tatomirovic.

A celebration of life will take place on November 10 at noon at Fusion, located at 708 1st St NW. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Argos Dog Rescue, honoring Ivana's passion and the legacy she leaves behind..