Dr. Ann Viernes grew up in Manitowoc, WI, where she developed a love of nature and art that was encouraged by her elders. Her pursuit of science and art continued when she left home to join a community north of Chicago at the age of 14. Here she developed many lifelong friendships. She studied biology at DePaul University and worked in laboratory medicine for over 40 years, along the way earning a Doctorate in Health Sciences (DHSc) from Rush University in 2009. 

Retiring a year after her husband’s death, Dr. Viernes pursued her lifelong dream of becoming an artist, travelling and taking painting and jewelry making courses worldwide. 

In the summer of 2020 she participated in an online Summer Solstice Retreat offered by Woman Unleashed and became enamored with one presenter, Catt Z, the founder of Cosmic Smashbooking™. Upon returning to Oak Park she opened Purple Sun Arts LLC in the Arts District, offering art, a boutique, and a creative learning center. Dr. Viernes is a Certified Cosmic Smashbook Guide and a Cosmic Transformational Life Coach. Here she encourages individuals to engage in their vision and be clear on where they are going, so that even at the start their journey, they begin to arrive at their destination—and the landing looks familiar.