We were lucky to catch up with Tina Noren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first time I earned money from my art was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t trying to sell anything at the time—I was in the middle of my first 100 Day Project and sharing my creative experiments on Instagram. I was following my curiosity, playing with different mediums, and doing a lot of work with watercolor and ink. Some pieces were floral and botanical, but most were abstract. My goal was simply to make time for creating and to build a consistent art practice.
Then one day, a friend messaged me and asked if she could buy two of my pieces. I remember staring at the message, kind of stunned. I had no idea how to price them—I was just making what felt good. After some fumbling around, I settled on a number, and what stuck with me most was the heartwarming feeling that someone appreciated my art enough to want to bring it into their home.
It was validating and it helped build my confidence in calling myself an artist. Not only was making art fulfilling to me, I realized that it had the potential to bring joy to others. Whenever someone connects with something that I’ve made, it continues to be a source of motivation to keep doing what I’m doing.

Tina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an artist based in Southern California, drawn to vibrant color and simple joy. My work often features repetitive lines, patterns, and a blend of organic shapes and geometric elements. It’s a meditative process that quiets my mind and keeps me centered. I primarily work in water-based mediums.
I create original artwork, explore putting my art on products, lead art workshops, and paint murals at local elementary schools. I’ve completed seven 100 Day Projects – each one a practice in showing up and staying curious – and it’s something I’m proud of.
As a mom of three school-aged kids, making space for art isn’t always easy, and my path has been anything but linear. I’m still figuring things out as I go, but I know that inspiring others to explore their own creativity truly fills my cup. One workshop participant once described my teaching approach as accessible and encouraging. I focus on the process of making art and playful experimentation.
My hope is that my work adds a dose of delight to someone’s day – whether that’s through a workshop or a painting or a mural. Inviting others to slow down and discover the joy in their own lives is also a reminder to myself. Even when the world feels like a dumpster fire at times, beauty can still be found in the everyday – if we choose to look for it.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

What drives my creative journey is my never-ending curiosity. I’m a lifelong learner who loves to explore, experiment, and discover new ideas. Lately, I’ve been working on embracing this love of learning while also taking time to implement what I learn and actually do the thing: whatever it is that I’m currently obsessing over.
Building a sustainable art business is something I’ve found challenging. I’m still navigating how to create systems that work for me in this stage of life, while also finding a healthy balance between consumption and creation. It’s a work in progress, but the process itself continues to inspire me.
Through all of this, curiosity is the compass that guides both my art and my life – keeping me exploring new ideas, experimenting with different mediums, and staying open to the unexpected. I share what I discover in hopes of showing others that you don’t need to have it all figured out to start. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I find it really holds true in my life: “It’s all about the journey and not the destination”. The process itself can be just as rewarding as the outcome.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The act of creating something out of nothing is rewarding in itself. If someone sees my work or process and feels inspired to tap into their own creativity, that is incredibly rewarding to me. Empowering others to follow their creative pursuits through sharing my journey is what fulfills me most as an artist. I’m still doing my own internal work, and sharing that vulnerability reminds me that growth is ongoing—I’m learning right alongside the people I hope to inspire.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinanorenart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinanorenart

Image Credits

Katie Marble and Tina Noren