Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tasanee Durrett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tasanee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a young age, I felt a deep connection to art and creativity. But it wasn’t until after escaping an 8-year abusive relationship in 2022 that painting became my true outlet – a way to release pent-up emotions, regain my strength, and embrace my authentic self. As I began creating abstract figurative works exploring identity and connectivity through the lens of the Black experience, I knew I had found my calling to pursue art professionally.

I started participating in small local art shows in 2021 to connect with the community again after the COVID pandemic lockdown. These local art shows allowed me to share my work and have some of the most eye-opening conversations. People would approach my emotive paintings and we’d engage in deep, soul-baring conversations about releasing anxiety, giving voice to social and racial narratives, and embracing femininity and nostalgia.

I vividly recall a woman who had undergone a mastectomy who was particularly moved with one of my pieces titled “Reproductive…Right?”. We connected and she spoke on how this piece spoke to her journey of reclaiming her feminine identity after undergoing surgery. This piece brought her a sense of empowerment and joy. Seeing how my art could connect with people on such a deep level made me realize this creative journey was meant for something bigger – to be a vessel for empowerment, healing, and uplifting overlooked narratives. From then on, I dedicated myself fully to growing as an artist to share my passion professionally with the world.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up, I always had a creative spark, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that painting became so deeply personal and transformative for me. In 2022, I made the brave decision to leave an 8-year abusive relationship. As I worked through the trauma and regained my sense of self, painting became my outlet – a way to release all the pent-up emotions and psychological chains that had been holding me back from embracing my true, authentic womanhood.

With a background in architecture from the University of Arizona, I was drawn to abstract and figurative styles that allowed me to visually explore concepts of identity, connectivity, and the human experience through the lens of the African diaspora. My background in architecture combined with my heritage and ancestral roots became the foundation of inspiration for my work.

I identify as an abstract-figurative painter. My paintings are a fusion of figurative and abstract elements rendered through techniques of continuous contour line work and pointillism. You’ll find rich color palettes, texture through paints and natural elements, and motifs like tribal scarification and flora woven throughout. But more than just aesthetically pleasing, each piece tells an intimate, empowering story of resilience, transformation, and reclaiming one’s identity. I love incorporating intricate indigenous patterns that celebrate my Afro-Indigenous roots and act as vessels to hold the narratives passed down through generations. For me, this work is so deeply personal, yet I know the stories I depict of duality, womanhood, and the Black experience resonate universally.

What I’m most proud of is how my art creates healing connections – both for myself and for the viewer. When someone stands before one of my pieces and feels moved, seen, and uplifted in their own identity and personal journey, that’s the ultimate purpose. My work is meant to mirror the shared essence of who we are and the struggles or triumphs that shape us. One of my most memorable works is a mural I collaborated on with a local arts organization called Art Of Collab. It is a mural of a woman whose headdress is filled with Florida-grown fruits and products that puts from her headdress across the wall. It’s titled “Abundance” and it brings awareness to the growing issue of food deserts within under-represented communities. It’s a call for bringing healthy equitable food sources for everyone.

In short, I’m an abstract figurative artist, but more importantly, I’m a storyteller exploring the authentic human experience and marginalized narratives that deserve to be uplifted and celebrated. I hope that through my work, you’ll immerse yourself in my visual stories and emerge with a deeper appreciation for your own identity and roots, and find healing connectivity.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A huge lesson I had to unlearn was to stay busy. That was one of the most detrimental things I learned because this meant that my brain had to be re-wired to accept grace and time while actually building something. I grew up in a public school system in a very strict academic program with IB and AP courses that pushed excellence but in what seemed to become a very destructive way. The theme that was taught in these academic programs was to stay in motion. But you can be in motion on a hamster wheel and not get anywhere. I had to learn that being busy means nothing without intentionality- in life and in business. As I’m growing my business, I make sure that every move I take is intentional, it may not always be right or I my need to take a step back or a sidestep and re-route, but I do things with purpose.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Ending that 8-year abusive relationship in 2022 was the pivot that allowed me to reclaim my power and identity as a woman and artist. As I processed the trauma, painting became my outlet for healing and rediscovering my authentic self that had been suppressed for so long. This artistic rebirth so to speak marked not just personal growth, but the start of my professional art career. What began as intimate reflections of my journey transformed into a venture uplifting marginalized narratives through my abstract figurative work exploring the Black experience, identity, and connectivity.

After leaving that toxic situation, I made a commitment to investing in myself on all levels. I started working with therapists to continue healing from the abuse. And for my business, I connected with coaches and joined mastermind groups to nurture both my artistic voice and entrepreneurial skills as I launched my art career. Surrounding myself with those supportive communities allowed me to fully step into my power as a storyteller celebrating the African diaspora, womanhood, and the authentic human experience through my paintings.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tasaneeart.com/
• Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/tasaneeart.com
• Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/tasaneeart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tasaneedurrett/

Image Credits

Image Credit: Benny Renee Studios