In 1929, the artist began her studies in art with Kenneth Hayes Miller, an American painter, engraver, and teacher at the Art Students League in New York. She then traveled to Europe and in 1931 settled in Munich where she studied with the German painter Hans Hofmann. The nineteen thirties were a turning point for her as she made her full debut in art, from study to practice, with her work as a set designer in Vienna and Berlin and her time in Diego Rivera's studio on her return to the United States. She assisted the Mexican muralist, who was preparing various commissions requested by both public and private American institutions. Also during this period, she was in permanent contact with artistic associations such as the Works Progress Administration, a program of the Federal Art Project.