We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tana Rey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tana below.
Hi Tana , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
It’s funny – my optimism was born from a dark chapter in my life.
I fully realized how fleeting our time on Earth is when my Dad passed away in July 2019. It dawned on me how much of our precious life is wasted when our energy is consumed by negative emotions. There were many moments in my life when I came close to giving up all hope, but my Dad’s death taught me the importance of empowering myself with boundless optimism.
By believing that every awful thing in life has potential for improvement, I can shield myself from drowning in despair with the unwavering confidence that every day is a new opportunity to change yourself, your perspective, your luck. Life can be rich with lovely experiences, if we can give ourselves the grace and patience to change the things about ourselves that limit us to the ground.
All throughout my life, my dad used to say to my brother and I that he loved us “as big as the sky.” Now that he’s gone, I try to uphold his legacy by living life bigly, and chasing my dreams that are just as big as the sky.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am an Artist, but I play multiple roles within my community. I also serve as an Art Instructor for children at Crealde School of Art and The Chrysalis School. In addition to being an Artist and Teacher, I am also a Gallerist Apprentice at The Mills Gallery.
When teaching, my pride lies in igniting the spark of creativity within others. My ultimate goal is to guide my students towards developing trust in the creative process and embracing their own unique artistic journey.
As for my own art form, which primarily revolves around abstract compositions, I aspire to inspire hope and elicit curiosity in those who gaze upon my work. Most of my paintings are prompted by a lyric, quote, or honest stream of my own consciousness. Then, I compose an abstraction that conveys the mood of the underlying message.
I am excited to share that upon launching my website in the upcoming Autumn season, I will be opening up commissions to bring meaningful words to life in your readers own home too.
And as far as events go, you can find me showcasing selected miniature works at the next Art Walk Orlando on Saturday, September 30th at The Hall on the Yard from 1PM-6PM.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It would be my pleasure to share some of what I’ve learned over the last few years. When I began taking art classes at Crealde in 2020, my Abstract teacher Patricia Byron, taught me some important lessons:
Let go of expectations. Patricia encouraged me to not expect instant success in my art. Instead, she advised me to play with paint and experiment without worrying about the final composition. This freedom allowed me to explore different methods, mediums, and styles, until I found my own artistic voice.
Being myself. Firstly, I had to let go of other people’s expectations of me and embrace my authentic self. Then, instead of inspiring my artwork stylistically with trends, I was taught the importance of embracing my creations that are meaningful to me first and appreciated by someone else second.
Be brave by being vulnerable, learn to ask for help. One of the toughest hurdles I faced was learning to be vulnerable and ask for help. It can be challenging, but the rewards of seeking and receiving assistance are immeasurable.
All three of these insights have been a critical catalyst in my artistic journey and personal growth. I believe I would not be here today without learning these lessons.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Thank-you for asking that question. There are so many lovely folks – from friends, to family, to colleagues – that I have to thank whose influence and guidance have played an invaluable role in my personal and professional growth. However, at this time, I want to extend my appreciation to the entire team at The Mills Gallery.
First and foremost, I would like to offer my deep gratitude to Jennifer McInnes Coolidge, our esteemed Lead Curator, for graciously taking me under her wing and imparting her knowledge of the art of curating onto me. Jennifer, your mentorship has been a bright beacon of inspiration to me, and I know that the sky’s my limit because of you.
Secondly to Bess Auer, our Director of Knowing How To Do Everything and also Marketing, your remarkable versatility and ability to conquer any challenge you set your mind to inspire me every single day. You’ve taught me that there is no problem that you can’t solve when you ask the right mentor to learn. I aspire to follow in your footsteps and approach life’s endeavors with the same fierce tenacity and brilliance as you.
And Kristy Lee, our remarkable Artist in Residence, has left an unforgettable mark on my life. Kristy, not only have you imparted valuable lessons on achieving success as an Artist, but you’ve also shown me the importance of self-belief in the face of adversity. Your influence on my journey is immeasurable.
As for Juan Pablo Santa Luna, Orlando’s Community Unifier and my personal hype man, I must extend my gratitude to you from the bottom of my heart. Your support and enthusiasm have been a constant source of motivation, and I feel truly fortunate to have you by my side.
Last but certainly not least, I must also express my deepest appreciation to Boris Garbe for his unfaltering care and confidence he has shown in mentoring me on my path to becoming a Gallerist. Boris, your willingness to take a risk on me and provide opportunities for me to prove myself in the spotlight is something I will forever respect and cherish. You have shown me the significance of properly pairing competence with confidence. Thank you for bringing me on board to the Mills Team.
To everyone at The Mills Gallery, I want to offer my deepest thanks for the support, knowledge, and inspiration you all have shared with me. Each of you have all played pivotal roles in shaping my journey, and I am profoundly grateful for your presence in my life.
And thank you, Bold Journey, for this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to a remarkable group of individuals, and for your time today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @tanareystudio
- Other: Tik Tok: @tanareystudio
E-mail: tanareystudio@gmail.com
Upcoming website: tanareystudio.com
Image Credits
Studio Photographer: Madison Lumbert
