Dana Tarantino
Dana has been immersed in the world of art for over a decade, channeling her creativity into vibrant and whimsical compositions. Her work celebrates the magic of childlike wonder and the simple joys of life. Using a mix of colored pencil, water-soluble oils, and gouache, Dana crafts pieces that reflect her current fascinations—whether capturing the delicate beauty of landscapes, the charm of everyday objects, or the architectural elegance of preserved buildings.
Inspired by the soft, dreamy quality of pastel colors, Dana infuses her art with a sense of nostalgia and wonder. Gouache, with its rich, opaque textures, allows her to highlight the intricate details that make each piece distinctive. Her artistic journey often intertwines with her passion for cultural exploration, drawing influence from Japanese and Russian traditions, sparked by her love for language and cultural learning.
Dana’s background as a graphic designer, combined with her art degree from BYU Idaho, has shaped her ability to bridge design and fine art seamlessly. Residing in the United States, she creates artwork that invites viewers into a world where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. Each piece reflects her curiosity and joy in discovering new subjects, often inspired by cultural elements or the beauty of everyday life.
Through her art, Dana aspires to inspire others to see the charm in the mundane, celebrate the richness of diverse cultures, and embrace their own sense of whimsy. Her work stands as a testament to the beauty of exploration, both in art and in life.
Contact
mformagpie.com
danaswapp@gmail.com
@mformagpie
Interview
What inspires your art practice and keeps you motivated?
Other cultures, colors, and interesting shapes from ordinary things are what inspire my practice. I gain a lot of fulfillment from painting, which keeps me motivated to make more.
How does your mission as an artist influence the work you create?
The work I create is intuitive to me and comes from the style I've developed over the years through cultural and linguistic development. While I continue to learn about a variety of topics, other people, or myself, it inevitably informs and works its way into my pieces.
Can you share a key part of your creative process that helps you stay focused?
Keeping an element of experimentation helps me feel alert and pushes me to continue to learn about what I am capable of as well as how I can improve my art practice.
What mindset tip do you rely on to overcome challenges in your art career?
I just have to keep going no matter what. Making art is something I have always come back to, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. It's what inspires my life.
How do you hope your art impacts the world or your community?
My intent is for people to feel a deep, contented happiness when viewing my art. It's colorful, charming, and silly at times—I hope that people will pursue their inner child with these in mind and take a step back from a world that can seem so daunting.
