“The purpose of my work is quite simple: I enjoy doing it. It’s fun. Every face is different and unique, it doesn’t get boring. Hyperrealism is an outlet for my perfectionism, while using my non-dominant hand to sketch more freely pushes me out of my comfort zone. I have to commit when using pen and ink – I can’t erase what I’ve already put down. And the dots give me flow and meditation. Some drawings I leave deliberately unfinished, because I enjoy seeing art in progress. My art brings me joy and satisfaction. I do it for me.”

Tanya Tjoelker is a Whatcom County native, raised on a farm in Everson. Growing up, she was surrounded by art, spending time coloring while her grandma Leona Tjoelker hosted her painting group, and hanging with her dad, Earl, in his woodshop while he made intarsia pieces. She discovered her love of portraits in 7th grade, when she drew her first pencil portrait of a pen pal and their siblings.

She continued to grow her skills throughout high school and into college. After earning a bachelor’s degree at Whitworth University, Tanya moved to Moscow, Idaho. She took a several year hiatus from art, picking up her pencils again in 2015, expanding to stippling with pen and ink, and occasionally sketching messy portraits with her non-dominant hand. Tanya participated in Moscow’s annual art walk in 2018 and 2019.

Tanya moved back to Whatcom County in 2019. She created art for a past Bellingham restaurant, Boy Howdy, participated in an Allied Arts show in 2020, and has more recently shown some of her work through the Sudden Valley Art Group and Whatcom Art Guild. For her day job, she works to empower people with disabilities in our community as a program coordinator in Cascade Connections’ Vocational department.

Instagram: tanyatjoelkerart