My name is Tanya Lauderdale. I was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma raised in that area, Norman, Noble. I moved to Dallas, Texas in 1996, I've been here ever since.
I have three biological children and one that is not biological, but came to my family when he was in early high school that I call my own. I have found the love of my life and have been truly "love happy" for five years, new daughter and son in laws, future son in laws and four grandchildren to hold my heart.
Outside of creativity, since I was 25 years old I have been a Commercial Credit and Collections Manager as a career, both ends of the spectrum without a doubt. However, it does give me an opportunity to use both sides of my brain in all aspects of art and business.
Over the past several decades, I strived to inspire my children to be creative. To sing as loud as they could even if off key (eventually they would be in tune), dance anytime they could, enjoy life, use their minds to find new ideas, create, be innovative, enlightened, good work ethic, etc.
In 2003, my three oldest were all graduating from high school, and my youngest was going to her fathers for the (Divorced) two year back and forth exchange. I had to find something to do! I had my children very young and in 2003 I was 36. All I had ever done was raise my children and others children. It was time to find something to do and figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. It was almost like I was 18 and going into the world for the first time trying to figure out what new and exciting things the rest of my life would hold.
I went to several art shows, mostly sculpture, as I wanted to stone carve. I found an artist from Italy; we had an hour long conversation about art and life. He told me to find a piece of stone, buy some chisels and start carving in my backyard. So, I went on a search for stone, and I found the Creative Arts Center of Dallas, I was home.
Within a year, I was on the Board of Directors. I volunteered hundreds of hours to help make this non-profit a better place. I am still on the board today and it is still as wonderful of an organization as the day I walked in the door.
I have learned stone carving, metal sculpture (welding), fused glass, figurative sculpture, pottery, mosaic, oil and acrylic painting (although not as good at it) and numerous other methods too many to mention. I have studied under some of the greatest instructors and with some the most inspiring artists/students.
I am now an artist, I can call myself that. I want to create pieces of art that make people happy, sad, feel joy or sorrow. My hope is that something I create will make people think, to open their minds. My main goal is that the piece of artwork that I create will start a discussion, evoke an emotion or thought.
I wish for everyone to see the world as it is, see it for how beautiful every person and thing in it can be. I'm not a hippie, only half hippie as I always say, even though I may sound like one. My left brain will win out in any business situation that is presented, and allow the right brain to be the innovation.
I hope that you enjoy my story, my artwork, and that you yourself open your mind to the possibilities of beauty in your everyday life.
