Tanisha Marshall
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
Featured in AQ Volume IV: Tanisha Marshall is a Dallas, Texas-based artist, originally from Illinois. Art found its way into Tanisha's life at a time when healing and self-love were most needed. For many years, she struggled with self-acceptance. During the creative process, she realized that to attain freedom in her life, she had to learn to embrace herself. It was during this time that she began creating without fear of judgment, allowing her to produce work that truly emanated from within. Tanisha's goal is to inspire at least one person (ideally more) to find the freedom to accept themselves as God made them.
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What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
Several years ago, I went through a difficult time in my life, and it was then that art found its way back to me. As a child, I loved singing, drawing, embroidery, and teaching myself piano, but those interests were short-lived because I didn’t realize a creative path was possible for me. It wasn’t until 2018, when a friend dragged me to a craft store, that things began to change. I had been complaining that I wished I could wear colorful earrings like everyone else, but I struggled with a metal allergy that limited my options.
When I started making my own earrings, something sparked inside me—my passion for creativity was reignited. I fell in love with the process, starting with beaded earrings, then moving on to polymer clay, and eventually discovering abstract art. At that time, art became my escape; when I was creating, time flew, and my worries faded away. It brought joy back into my life and helped me heal.
From that moment, I knew I wanted to pursue art seriously. I initially established my business by making jewelry, and now my focus has shifted to creating abstract art.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
As I worked on the art pieces for my recent collection called Don’t Give Up, I encountered numerous setbacks that almost disrupted the collection. I had to remind myself that there hasn't been a time in my life where I haven't encountered obstacles, and through each and every trial, I've learned how necessary it is to accept what is, adapt, determine the next steps, believe in myself, and persevere.
We all face unexpected issues in life; we can't plan for them, but how we respond makes all the difference. I want to encourage everyone to think through how they can overcome whatever is taking root in their life right now. What can you do to turn a negative into a positive? If there is a will, there is a way. Don't give up; figure out a way to overcome it.
What was the most challenging part of your path so far? How are you navigating this obstacle?
This journey hasn’t been easy—I've faced a lot of challenges, like losing family members and dealing with problems at the art studios I rented, plus so much more. It’s been a bumpy road, full of lessons. I’ve learned that even though obstacles seem really big at the moment, once things calm down, there's always something valuable I can take away for the future. When I’m going through tough times, I pray, take a moment to think about what's happening, why it’s happening, and how I can use what I learn later on.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
I love experimenting with art, and with all the supplies I have, one of the most enjoyable practices is working on creating 100 abstract art pieces using various materials. This practice has helped me continue improving my art skills and keeps me open to new ideas. Even though I set a goal of making 100 abstract pieces, I plan to keep experimenting for as long as I can, and I might even explore other art styles as well.
Do you have any start or stop rituals before creating?
My painting process begins with colors or ideas that pop into my head. I often write down my thoughts, pray over them, and study the Bible for scriptures that match what I'm feeling. I don't have an exact plan; I just pray and let things happen naturally.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
My mission is to inspire the world—or even just one person—to embrace who God made them to be. I want to encourage others to be themselves and understand that they are who they are for a reason. While we all have areas to improve, many of us struggle to truly know ourselves because we don’t feel we’re good enough as we are.
If I can inspire just one person to accept themselves and pursue their true passion, that would be incredibly fulfilling. My journey isn’t just about me; it’s about being fully authentic so that I can connect with others from a healed place within myself and help them do the same.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
