Marla Tretta-Zachary

From the time she was a little girl, Marla Jo has had paint on her hands, clay under her nails, and jewelry/clothing creations adorning her body. She even cut off the tip of her thumb while working with wood.
Marla Jo credits her artistic talents to her grandparents. Her grandmother attended art school in New York and studied under American artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Her grandfather, although not a trained artist also passed on the creative gene that Marla Jo was blessed to have inherited. She gives her mother credit for inspiring her to draw. At a very young age, Marla Jo’s mother commented favorably about a picture she drew. That moment changed her life. Marla Jo was on her road to glory!” That small amount of recognition started Marla Jo on her quest to make the world a more beautiful place and to “be noticed.” She has been going strong since.
The desire to be creative has always been in the forefront of her existence and sharing her love for art her passion.
In 1992, Marla Jo and her family, which includes her five sons, moved from Southern California to Mesa Arizona. In Arizona, Marla Jo graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University and is a Phi Theta Kappa member.
Marla Jo met and married Steven W. Zachary an attorney and minister. Together they created Journey316 Books to promote and share art, books and music that have a positive message.
Marla Jo’s art career includes:
Displaying and selling her work in several galleries
Painting murals throughout the Phoenix, Arizona area
Creating artwork at the purchasers request
Designing book and brochure covers
Marla Jo is excited to share her passion for art with the students she teaches in the Gilbert, Arizona School District. She also teaches evening adult art classes.