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

Hi Tara, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I think back to my childhood, I spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks, where I was always intrigued by the colors and textures in nature. My parents noticed that I had a propensity for designing and creating different genres of arts and crafts, so they encouraged me to take art classes and pursue a degree in a creative field. Not knowing how to make a living from a career in fine art, I focused on packaging, graphic, and industrial design at RIT-Rochester Institute of Technology. After college I moved to Vail, CO to pursue a short stint teaching and competing in snowboarding, where I have stayed and transformed my design experience into a successful faux/decorative painting business. I have been working with construction companies and interior designers, here in the Vail Valley now for over 25 years. Creating has always been in my blood, so the evolution of my artistry has developed also into creating large scale abstract artwork for my clientele, whilst also running a community based studio and gallery.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Deeply influenced by my surroundings, my abstract paintings depict the textures and ever-changing colors in the mountains and waterways of Mother Nature’s landscapes. The silence while snowboarding through a snow covered aspen grove, the calm contemplation sitting by a mountain stream, the brilliant colors on the autumn mountain side fill me with the spirit of creation. I utilize unique tools and processes of layering textures, metallics, resin, and sometimes even glass to capture a sense of depth in the “layers of life” I incorporate on a canvas. Ultimately I hope to evoke a feeling of calm and presence in the viewer; For them to stop, take a breath, and to just BE, if for only a moment…

My path has been anything but direct, definitely a lot of powder turns and cliff jumps along the way, Ha! I started off on a somewhat typical path of art classes in high school, then off to RIT(Rochester Institute of Technology) to get a design degree, with sights on a career in the corporate world. A gap year in the Colorado Rockies after graduating sure changed that though… I found an adrenaline addiction in snowboarding and mountain biking that changed my trajectory, keeping me locked in on the mountains and landscapes which have also influenced the art I started creating as my life evolved and my body stopped keeping up with the damaging demands of the snowboard competition realm.
My creative skills became an asset as I started my faux/decorative painting company, Custom Creations Inc. working with contractors, interior designers, and homeowners in the resort communities of Vail and Aspen. My company has been providing artful solutions for decorative wall finishes, woodwork and antique furniture restoration, artistically hiding utility covers, and creating fine art commissions since 1999. This business may sound somewhat glamorous, but it has had many ups and downs with the economy over the years and has only added to the bodily damage I sustained in my extreme sports years. Although I still do some decorative finishing work, the fine art aspect is what I relish these days, as it is soothing to the soul and a little easier on the joints. My career has had to grow and pivot and evolve in so many ways over the years, it has never been “easy” and has not always been financially stable unfortunately, but somehow I have always stayed afloat through my hard work, perseverance, faith, and passion for creating. My community here has always been a big support too. I am very grateful for that and hope that my work giving back to my community, through my community arts endeavors in creating ARTSpace workshop+gallery and EagleARTS Nonprofit has shown that. Art is my life; Creating art, along with creating opportunities for others to shine!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, Vail Village is the first and foremost tourist destination of our area, with skiing and snowboarding, gondola rides, hiking, biking, concerts, festivals, shops and world class restaurants. It’s beautiful and definitely fun! Mountain Standard and Bart and Yeti’s, opposites in styles, are definite favorite spots for food & drink. If you want to be off the beaten path, come visit my little Town of Eagle, 30 miles west. We have a quaint little historic downtown with art galleries, shops, and restaurants; ARTSpace Workshop + Gallery being my establishment, that’s great to browse local creations. Eagle is a bit of an outdoor enthusiasts mecca with a kayaking river park and lots of mountain biking and hiking trails, along with Sylvan Lake State Park being up the road and possible sightings of elk herds and an occasional moose. Be sure to stop at Inner Light Juice for your morning smoothie, then Red Canyon Cafe for a delicious sandwich for lunch, and Second Street Tavern for a beer, tacos, and live music after your days adventures!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Paul Novak, for putting up with and supporting my creative whims for all these years.

Website: https://taranovakart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taranovakart/

Image Credits
The first photo of me painting in front of my artwork at @Artspaceworkshop+gallery, was professionally taken by @seanfboggs The rest are mine.

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