Featured Artist: TaniaTania

TaniaTania’s designs are like that feeling of comfort you get holding a warm cup of tea on a cold morning. Her artwork – drawn in pastels and a soft watercolor-like style – focuses on positive messages and heartwarming moments like a cat snuggled down for a nap or a colorful sunset from your window.

TaniaTania’s home is where she is surrounded by plants, art supplies, and her loved ones. She also jokes that she needs a coffee machine wherever she is because caffeine is an integral part of her creative process. Although she is most inspired by simple joys like coffee, music, and animals, she is also drawn to “interesting color combinations, shapes - everything that holds beauty.” Her interest in colors is encouraged by the famous French artist, Henri Matisse, and she would have loved to have studied with him.

She loves to share her art and see how her “illustrations resonate with people.” She was planning an art exhibit in Chicago before COVID-19 and – although her exhibit was put on pause – she is still excited for the future. She plans to travel again soon and even hopes to make an art series so she can share her travels with people.

She most recently purchased a black and white photograph from the ‘50s or ‘60s that shows a couple running through an alleyway; she shares, “I’m absolutely in love with this photo.” She loves the idea of expanding on the story in the photo with her own art. In fact, although she has several ongoing projects at the moment, she is most excited about her series that incorporates photos into illustrations.

Tania thrives on the creative process but – like every artist – she can also struggle with the idea of “perfection.” Nonetheless, she loves the way her art – the watercolors especially – lead to a surprising imperfect result because “that’s the magic of it.”