Let’s us introduce you to Dana Tatar. She has been a part of the Canvas Corp Brands Design Team, the “Creative Crew,” for quite some time. We not only get her input and designs, but we also get the expertise of her creative little fingers from time to time. Dana jumps in to help with the challenges, the special projects and contributes fun and clever ideas.
Dana and family live just outside of Washington DC which is a town that has been around just about as long as the USA itself. Centreville still has a small town feel eventhough it is less than 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of a big city.
We have asked each of the Crew Members a bit about themselves.
Describe your design style. I have an eccentric style in terms of what and how I design. One day I could be working with crushed egg shells and bold colors of mist and the next I could be creating a shabby chic layout with pretty patterned papers, lace, and flowers. If you are looking for a consistent body of work in a signature style you won’t find that with me!
Who or what do you give credit to for inspiring your creativity? I started my journey into the craft world after the birth of my first daughter as a way to preserve memories. I had an almost obsessive need to document every moment and milestone. Having a second daughter a little more than a year later forced me to reevaluate the high and unrealistic expectations I set for myself. There are only so many hours in the day! Documenting my children’s life is still the main focus of my work, but I have begun to explore other forms of art. What started out as a memory keeping expedition has transformed into artistic expression that I need to do, mostly for my own enjoyment.
What inspires you most today? I’m greatly inspired by song lyrics, quotes from my favorite authors and pop culture references. Often times I’ll hear a verse that I relate to and immediately want to run to my studio to create. I’m a huge introvert, so my artwork is a way to connect with my favorite artists while remaining in the comfort of my own home.
What is your favorite Canvas Corp Brand Product? and why? (We asked them to pick just one, which has proven to be difficult for some and easy for others.) My favorite Canvas Corp Brand product is the White Tissuestock. This tissue is like nothing I have worked with before and is a wonderful blank starting point. It takes color and stamping extremely well. Unlike a standard tissue paper, the Tissuestock is strong, flexible and easy to work with. It doesn’t fall apart when saturated with wet mediums and is fun to stitch, seal, and staple onto projects. Canvas Corp Brand also happens to manufacture my all-time favorite color of mist, Marmalade. If the Tissuestock doesn’t make it onto my project, the Marmalade Glimmer Mist does.
What is your favorite project you have created using CCB Products?
Why is it your favorite? I’ve created a lot of canvases during my time on the Crew, which is a new found love. My favorite canvas is the one I created for the 4×4 Challenge (you can see all the 4×4 canvases by the entire Canvas Corp Brands Crew). Look for my canvas. I feel like my canvas really represents who I am as an artist. Also I had a blast building the textured layers of this piece and adding splashes of color, mostly orange and green–my two “go-to” colors.
Another project I love are the ATCs I created for the Crew Swap. To see more of the ATC’s and find out how our challenges work take a look here.
I am the happiest doing…I am the happiest listening to music, particularly live music if I can secure a sitter and while creating art.
My favorite place to be creative…..is in my basement studio.
Tell us one cool detail about your studio or craft space. I’m an Air Force Wife, so I have to move around quite a bit. I currently have the largest studio space to date, about half of my finished basement. Of course, I have expanded to fit the space! I finally have the room to display my art, as well as what my daughters create.
Share with us anything about your creative life that you feel would inspire others. I have only been crafting for about 9 years and I have not had any formal training. In truth, I’ve never been concerned with labels or tried too hard to fit in to a certain group. I’m happy to just do my own thing, which is tremendously freeing.
Dana takes the time to craft for herself and extra time to include her girls in crafting. Unleashing their creativity at such young ages will teach them what a wonderful outlet they can have their entire lives. Dana loves to use different materials and try new things. We challenged the team to show us creative projects for kids that anyone would be proud to hang on the wall. Dana grabbed some toilet paper rolls, canvases, Tattered Angels Paints and some little hands. Look what happened!
The girls were so proud to show off their beautiful canvases.
Dana keep doing your own thing girl!!!!
To follow Dana visit her blog They Call Me Tatar Salad and follow her on Instagram.
Join us for more work by the Crew and Canvas Corp Brands on our new Facebook Group – just ask to join and we will welcome you in – Canvas Corp Brands Collective Facebook Group
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