Artist Statement
My work represents a journey of rebuilding and recalibrating to arrive where I am today. As a neurodivergent artist living with a brain injury, I'm familiar with setbacks and also the act of embracing the perfection of imperfection. The repetition of patterns is something I find soothing. I can see where my attention ebbs and flows depending on what time of day I work on a piece. It may not be visible to others, but I appreciate the small nuances that catch how I am feeling. My work is accessible and inspirational to those in the brain injury community and to all who appreciate the obstacles I showcase through my art.
In 2020, life changed. While visiting my daughter in Colorado, I had a stroke - you can read about the impact in my Bio. A significant cornerstone of my journey has been the mindfulness practice through the LoveYourBrain foundation.
In May 2023, I attended a 5-day retreat for people impacted by brain injury, focusing on the benefits of mindfulness, movement, nutrition, art, and community building. It was my first time in 3 years working on a mask project using both hands. In a moment of extreme vulnerability, I publicly shared the work in my "Concussion Sketchbook" for the first time during the final evening's talent show. With Terrapin Station playing in the background, the following prose accompanied my presentation:
I am not an artist. I went to art school, but I am not an artist. Instead, I’ve been
hiding behind the mask of a marketer for 20+ years (do not do the math!). I’m no
longer a marketer - professionally. It took a stroke and a concussion for me to
become an artist.
I started by painting shapes, outlining them, and finally filling them in with patterns. It was small, quiet, and meditative - just one pattern at a time. If I make one painting a day, it's more than enough.
Educational Background
Tania Saiz graduated with a BFA in Art History from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 1995. Originally a Jewelry and Metalsmithing major, she explored glassblowing, bronze casting, welding, and photography before choosing art history, a path that satisfied her curiosity while keeping her creative options open.
After graduation, Tania channeled her artistic perspective into a 22-year career in marketing for educational publishing. In 2006, she launched an employee-artist gallery at her office and began actively exhibiting her work in Westchester, including shows at the Croton Council for the Arts, Rogue Space in Croton-on-Hudson, and the Upstream Gallery.
In 2020, Tania survived an ischemic stroke that affected both cognitive and physical abilities, leaving her with limited sensation on her left side and impairing her ability to work with both hands. In May 2023, a mild concussion unexpectedly reopened the door to creative expression. Taking a break from technology and inspired by perfect porch weather, she began creating again.
Her Concussion Sketchbook started with Arteza Real Brush Pens and a partial set of found Copic markers—tools unfamiliar to her after years focused on 3D work. Despite visual processing challenges and the lingering effects of her stroke, she embraced imperfection, painting sometimes with glasses, sometimes without, and found freedom in letting go of precision. What mattered most was that she was creating again.
Tania lives in White Plains, NY, with her family and service dog, Stevie Nicks. Her work celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the joy of embracing the unexpected, and the resilience found in creativity.
My work represents a journey of rebuilding and recalibrating to arrive where I am today. As a neurodivergent artist living with a brain injury, I'm familiar with setbacks and also the act of embracing the perfection of imperfection. The repetition of patterns is something I find soothing. I can see where my attention ebbs and flows depending on what time of day I work on a piece. It may not be visible to others, but I appreciate the small nuances that catch how I am feeling. My work is accessible and inspirational to those in the brain injury community and to all who appreciate the obstacles I showcase through my art.
In 2020, life changed. While visiting my daughter in Colorado, I had a stroke - you can read about the impact in my Bio. A significant cornerstone of my journey has been the mindfulness practice through the LoveYourBrain foundation.
In May 2023, I attended a 5-day retreat for people impacted by brain injury, focusing on the benefits of mindfulness, movement, nutrition, art, and community building. It was my first time in 3 years working on a mask project using both hands. In a moment of extreme vulnerability, I publicly shared the work in my "Concussion Sketchbook" for the first time during the final evening's talent show. With Terrapin Station playing in the background, the following prose accompanied my presentation:
I am not an artist. I went to art school, but I am not an artist. Instead, I’ve been
hiding behind the mask of a marketer for 20+ years (do not do the math!). I’m no
longer a marketer - professionally. It took a stroke and a concussion for me to
become an artist.
I started by painting shapes, outlining them, and finally filling them in with patterns. It was small, quiet, and meditative - just one pattern at a time. If I make one painting a day, it's more than enough.
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Tania Saiz graduated with a BFA in Art History from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 1995. Originally a Jewelry and Metalsmithing major, she explored glassblowing, bronze casting, welding, and photography before choosing art history, a path that satisfied her curiosity while keeping her creative options open.
After graduation, Tania channeled her artistic perspective into a 22-year career in marketing for educational publishing. In 2006, she launched an employee-artist gallery at her office and began actively exhibiting her work in Westchester, including shows at the Croton Council for the Arts, Rogue Space in Croton-on-Hudson, and the Upstream Gallery. In 2020, Tania survived an ischemic stroke that affected both cognitive and physical abilities, leaving her with limited sensation on her left side and impairing her ability to work with both hands. In May 2023, a mild concussion unexpectedly reopened the door to creative expression. Taking a break from technology and inspired by perfect porch weather, she began creating again. Her Concussion Sketchbook started with Arteza Real Brush Pens and a partial set of found Copic markers—tools unfamiliar to her after years focused on 3D work. Despite visual processing challenges and the lingering effects of her stroke, she embraced imperfection, painting sometimes with glasses, sometimes without, and found freedom in letting go of precision. What mattered most was that she was creating again. Tania lives in White Plains, NY, with her family and service dog, Stevie Nicks. Her work celebrates the beauty of imperfection, the joy of embracing the unexpected, and the resilience found in creativity.
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