Great artwork rarely spawns out of thin air. It takes time, talent, and a vision to create something unique that encapsulates the essence of a great work of art.
A perfect example of this incredible talent and expression is through artist by French 75 Studios, Tatyana Alanis, who partnered with us for our annual Juneteenth T-shirts. Alanis created a custom illustration for limited-edition shirts that were distributed for free to Galleria Dallas visitors in celebration of Juneteenth.
In tandem with our Juneteenth partnership, Alanis visited Galleria Dallas, from Fort Worth, to install her beautiful illustrations in our Art Window, which will be on display until July 8. While she was here, she shared some insight on how she puts the paintbrush to the canvas to express her imagination.
What inspires your artwork?
I’m deeply inspired by memory, emotion, and the stillness found in quiet, everyday moments, especially through the lens of Black girlhood. I love capturing that subtle in-between space, where something soft can still feel powerful. My work is rooted in creating a space where emotion, beauty, and complexity can all coexist. At the heart of it, it’s about making people feel seen and bringing memories to life.
What’s your creative process?
I always start in my sketchbook or on paper, there’s just something grounding about beginning with a physical line. Once the idea feels right, I transfer it into Procreate and build from there. That’s where I start layering color, texture, and emotion. I like to leave room for the piece to evolve naturally, I don’t plan every detail ahead of time. It’s a balance of intention and intuition. Most of my pieces come together late at night, when everything feels still and my ideas can breathe.
Which piece included in the gallery is your favorite?
Home Body is definitely one of my favorites. It’s an illustration of a girl lying on her bed, scrolling on her phone, just fully in her own world. It feels so familiar, so many of us know that exact moment. There’s a calmness and intimacy to it that really captures what I try to hold space for in my work: the beauty in being still, in being with yourself, and in creating your own little universe. I think that’s what makes it feel so personal and so relatable.
