"Being a visual artist means being able to make simple shapes and lines and help them evolve into another form. Art is how you chose to manipulate those lines and shapes. Many people chose to stick with one medium and master that, I enjoy the challenge of experimenting with various media. I choose subject matter that is moving to me. I love colors so most of my paintings are vibrant. Painting helps me deal with living life and manuever through all of its complexities. Many of the ideas for my paintings come from my belief of strengthening women, letting them realize they are beautiful in their natural state. I also have a desire for everyone to be happy. To be happy and experience love. I like to do the occasional pieces that make folks think and try to figure out the message behind the art"
Tanya "Mawasi" Mance was born in Chicago, Illinois. She has been drawing since a young child but painting came to her in 1999 when she moved to Atlanta, GA. Since 1999 she has had art showings in Atlanta, GA, Pittsburgh, PA and Chicago, IL. Her personalized artwork has been showcased internationally in Malaysia and the UK. She is the co-founder of Sistastrong, Inc., a mentoring program for girls and young women and she is a candidate for the Masters of Art in Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy.