Meet Tanya Mac | Artist, Mental Health Advocate, and Creative Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Mac and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be one of creativity, courage, and connection. As an artist, creative, mother, and leader, I want to be remembered as someone who embraced vulnerability, led with authenticity, and created spaces where people felt truly seen, heard, and valued.

I want people to remember me as someone who was open, non-judgmental, and easy to talk to—a person who made others feel safe enough to be themselves, to express their emotions freely, and to lean into their creativity without fear. Whether through art, conversation, or shared experiences, I want those I encounter to feel like they can let their guard down, return to their childlike curiosity, and rediscover the joy in creating, playing, and embracing life.

My passion for mental health, creativity, and human connection is at the core of everything I do. Through my work with TMAC Arts, I strive to remind people that self-expression is healing, that our stories matter, and that we are never alone in our struggles. I want to leave behind a world where people feel more connected—to themselves, to their creativity, and to each other.

Ultimately, my legacy will be one of art, heart, and healing. If people remember me as someone who inspired them to be more open, more creative, and more themselves, then I will have fulfilled my purpose.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a fusion of bold expression, emotion, and healing, rooted in pop art-inspired storytelling that highlights resilience, mental health, and self-discovery. It’s more than just visual—it’s an invitation to explore emotions and a tool for healing.

A significant part of my work is shaped by my experience working with veterans and first responders, individuals who carry immense emotional weight. I’ve seen how difficult it can be to process trauma through words alone, and my art provides a judgment-free space for self-expression and reconnection.

Through TMAC Arts, I merge my passion for creativity and mental health advocacy, offering paintings, workshops, and community projects that help people lean into creativity as a form of self-care.

The journey hasn’t been easy. I faced self-doubt, financial challenges, and creative burnout, but I overcame them by trusting my vision, leaning on my community, and focusing on the impact my work has on others.

Lessons I’ve Learned:
1. Vulnerability is strength. True impact comes from authenticity.
2. Creativity belongs to everyone. Art is about expression, not perfection.
3. Community is everything. Growth happens when you surround yourself with the right people.
4. Hard days shape great work. The struggles fuel the most meaningful art.

More than anything, I want the world to know that my work isn’t just about art—it’s about mental wellness, human connection, and creative healing. If I can inspire just one person to express themselves, embrace their emotions, or feel less alone, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.

This is more than art—it’s a movement for self-expression, healing, and courage.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
On Saturday, we’d start the day with coffee and a pastry at Paris Baguette before heading to Deep Ellum to experience a local festival, soaking in the live music, street art, and creative energy. After exploring, we’d make our way to Klyde Warren Park for a quick stroll before diving into a full afternoon of artistic inspiration at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and the Nasher Sculpture Center. As the evening approaches, we’d enjoy an early dinner at Miznon, savoring its bold, flavorful dishes, before wrapping up the night at a downtown art show, immersing ourselves in the city’s vibrant creative scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my artistic and creative journey to the people who have shaped, supported, and inspired me along the way.

To my mom, who gave me the freedom to paint, create, and express myself as a child without judgment—her encouragement laid the foundation for my passion for art and self-expression.

To my mentors and colleagues—Chelsea Fiduccia, Amy Williams, and Charlynn Johns—who have guided me in my work with veterans and mental health. Their wisdom, dedication, and belief in the power of creative healing have influenced my path in ways I can never fully express.

To my daughter, whose presence in my life reminds me every day to keep going, to embrace vulnerability, and to show up authentically even when things get hard. She is my biggest inspiration and my greatest teacher.

To Domingo Rodriguez, for always checking in, collaborating on mental health trainings, and demonstrating what it means to lead with humility and heart. His support and dedication to mental wellness continue to make an impact.

Each of these individuals has played a role in shaping me into the artist, mental health advocate, and creative leader I am today. My work is a reflection of the love, guidance, and inspiration they have given me, and I carry their influence with me in everything I create.

Website: https://Www.tmacarts.org

Instagram: tmac_arts

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyamac

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanyamacarts