We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Nygard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art has always been a consistent factor in my life. The feeling of dissecting and displaying my emotions in a visual manner is unmatched. I’m able to put my heart into my work with every piece I make. That passion didn’t exist in any other field I worked in.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always loved creating and have used many mediums throughout my life. For the last three years I’ve focused on painting. I paint a lot of expressionist portraits and depictions of the human form.

Through these few years I’ve struggled to find my style. It can be challenging to paint your feelings. It can also be hard to find a balance between what I like to paint and what people like to buy. As nice as my apartment looks, the ultimate goal is to have my work in other peoples homes, not solely my own. My most popular collection, this far, has been a series of colorful animals. “It just makes me feel happy,” a man told me about a sea turtle print he ordered.

This journey has taught me that nothing in this world comes easy. Some days I stare at a blank canvas and wonder what I’m doing, other days it all just clicks and comes together seamlessly. It’s my vision, and it’s up to me to see it through to the end.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friend is a tea drinker and I love coffee, so Black Cat Coffee House in Arcadia would be our first stop. She’s a beginner level hiker, Papago park would be the perfect place to take her for some Mountain views. Some fun dining places I’d take her would The Attic Ale House, Nook Kitchen or Culinary Dropout. She loves spooky things so a stay in the haunted hotel in Jerome, AZ is a must, after we reenergize up at Cultivate Coffee.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My dad was always my role model when it came to my art and creativity.

Website: www.tanyanygard.com

Instagram: @tanyanygard_art

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/tanya-nygard-716103177

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanya.nygard

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