Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Piatz.
Hi Tanya, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started drawing and creating as a child. I often found my way into wild places to explore, ask questions, and find inspiration for my artwork. As I grew I practiced my eye at noticing details in the environment and as I did this I started really seeing. I wondered who was who, what is their name. Birds also taught me to see and I would spend time with my parents looking for different species of birds. As I got to know them a little more I started doing research on them.
Why was I seeing some birds more than others? Why were some more successful than others? I started to see the pattern of how important the environment was to many of the species. I learned birds are an indicator species. The more diverse the environment the more diverse population of species. I started drawing birds and showing them in an ideal habitat and a reason for the decline. I also realized once I knew the name of the bird I could see them in a group of birds and thought if I could teach others who they were they would start to see the individual as well. That way once they stopped seeing them they would also know something was wrong.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road and has been a lot of work. I am always looking for new places to show my work, looking for new opportunities, and striving to gain exposure while trying to create new work.
I also work as a tattoo artist and often spend time creating pieces for my clients. My family and friends are important to me as well. I am aware of how important the balance is between everything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an illustrator and painter. I love to draw and get down to the small details in a piece.
My focus is to raise awareness for habitat conservation and how the habitat directly impacts the diversity of species found in the environment. I do this by illustrating birds that we see every day as well as lesser-known species found on Minnesota’s DNR’s “Species of Special Concern” list. I hope to raise awareness of the need for native habitats for the entire health of a community.
I do this by giving the birds their identity by teaching the audience who they are seeing by introducing the name of the species. Once someone knows a name they will be able to pick that bird out in a crowd. They will learn to notice them when they are around but also miss them when they are gone.
I also hope to tie the connection between shared lands of the species that migrate. What we do in Minnesota will impact the numbers that those who see them in Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and everywhere in between. Also, how they treat their native habitats will impact the numbers we see in Minnesota. Our lands are connected. In my “Species of Special Concern” series I will identify the part of the population decline with pencil and grays. I want it to be something people can’t help but see. To create a separation with the species, to amplify the problem.
However, I do it with pencils because we can “erase” the problem. We still have many opportunities to ensure the health and vitality of our habitat and the wildlife found within.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
The quality and characteristic I feel are most important to my success is curiosity and perseverance.
In this career, you will hear a lot of no before yes. You can’t take it personally because everyone has a different eye. Take the time to learn from others and ask questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tanyapiatzarts.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bird_in_the_hand
