Check Out Tanielle Childers’ Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanielle Childers.

Hi Tanielle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have had a love for art since I was old enough to draw. When I was 11, I knew I wanted to be an artist, author, or both. In high school, I developed a deeper love and connection to the arts and knew I wanted to go into the arts for a living. In the fall of 1994, I started going to school in Fort Lewis, Durango with plans of majoring in art and possibly minoring in psychology. Art therapy really sparked my interest at that time. Unfortunately, the fall of 1995 became a pivotal, unexpected, and life-changing time in my life.

Three of my friends were lost in a tragic car accident that resulted in my withdrawal from college. As much as I wanted to be there to further my education, my mind was everywhere but school at that time. Coincidentally, I turned to writing poetry and creating art for therapy for the next several years trying to process, digest and somehow come to terms with life, mortality, and the purpose of my existence. Regretfully, I never made it back to college, but that didn’t stop me from following my heart or chasing my dreams. In 1997, I spent 8 months in Kansas with my boyfriend (now husband) putting together an art portfolio.

In 1998, I submitted that portfolio to the Lincoln Gallery in Loveland, Colorado. That, believe it or not, was one of the scariest moments in my life. I felt like they were judging my heart and my soul, and I was afraid of being rejected for something I was so passionate about. Luckily, they juried me in and the rest is history. I spent the next 20 or so years selling and showing my art there and building a following.

I made it a point, during those years, to have every one of my paintings professionally photographed or scanned, and those digital images have become an unlimited asset. I set up an account in 2011 through Fineartamerica.com and I’ve been increasing my monthly sales through that site since then.

More recently, I’ve begun to make sales by licensing my images for a one-time print fee. These images are then printed and hung in healthcare facilities. I have created a following of amazing patrons who continue to support and follow me as I grow into the artist I always dreamed of being.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Being an artist is a crazy, roller coaster ride of ups and downs, and all-the-way-arounds. It’s full of failures, successes, and second-guessing your work, and your value. The failures are nothing more than opportunities to gain knowledge. Don’t let them define you.

Learn everything you can from them and allow them to guide you. And perseverance comes straight from your heart.

If you have enough heart for what you do, there’s no giving up. Seeing people light up and connect to my art or my poetry which has been created from the purest part of who I am, is like the heartbeat that keeps me going through thick and thin. That connection is the most meaningful to me.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My creative process: I mostly paint intuitively. I have quick visions that flash in my mind’s eye that will spark my urge to paint. I choose colors by instinct and rarely sketch out my paintings before beginning. I may quickly sketch the idea that comes to mind but my paintings are ultimately developed as I go. Often what ends up transpiring is a surprise, even to me. I know I’m on the right track with a painting when what comes to life makes me super emotional (in all the best ways as if my heart is overflowing with all the gratitude in the world). That’s where the magic is.

I feel this world deeply. I speak openly and candidly, through my poetry about my life journey and experiences. The good, the bad, the tragic, and all of the beautiful parts. When I create art, I paint from the purest part of who I am at my core. I have an ability to connect to others through my own life story and that has been the most fulfilling part for me as an artist. That connection has been the most meaningful part of my journey and I believe, it’s what sets me apart from others.

I’m most proud of my tenacity to never give up as an artist. I’m proud of not listening to the naysayers along the way and continuing to follow my heart anyway. I’m proud of having the courage to be openly vulnerable about my life journey because that has helped others to feel less alone. I’m grateful for every failure and success, both big and small, along the way because it has all helped me to grow as a human and a creator.

What matters most to you?
I love creating art from my heart and soul and sharing my “happy place” with the world around me. Life can be really tough at times for all of us, and seeing people light up when they see my art means the world to me. Bringing smiles to their every day is what matters most.

I have begun to share my poem about my personal life journey and experiences in more recent years, and the feedback from everyone has been absolutely incredible. That human connection is what means the most to me. I wholeheartedly feel we were all put on this earth to help one another through, and part of my life purpose is to hopefully help people feel less alone, and more empowered through their own journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/tanielleart and tanielleart.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tanielleart
• Facebook: facebook.com/tanielleart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanielle-childers-3001056b/
• Tiktok: @tanielleart