Tania is a talented First Nation’s artist who creates contemporary Aboriginal Art in her art studio in The Towers. She was born in Charters Towers and after spending a few years in Brisbane, returned to town with her family.
Her studio, Dillinga's Dreaming is named for "Dillinga" - her Aboriginal name - which means “Silver Brolga.” As the name might suggest, Tania loves painting native birds and Dreaming stories.
Tania spent many years battling anxiety and depression and although she eventually sought help through the traditional medical channels, she never found her peace until she took up painting. She is a self taught artist who has found her happy place in her studio, creating her artworks with the music blaring. It is her escape.
She particularly enjoys seeing her artwork turned into “functional art” – beautiful pieces that can be used, like coffee cups and pens. It brings her a huge sense of accomplishment to share her artwork in a way that is useful to people. She loves all types of art though and is able to create large murals including those featuring landscapes, buildings and native plants.
Apart from art, Tania also has a love of the written word, who she says she can thank her Dad for because he was always reciting Australian bush poetry. Over the years it has rubbed off on her and she has produced a fair bit of poetry of her own. She would like to publish a book with her art and poetry and have it used as a teaching resource for students to learn about Gudjala country and herself as a First Nations Artist.
When asked what she likes to do in her spare time, she says her painting is what she loves, "I can't think of anything else I'd rather be doing."
