top of page

Tatjana Smith: Crafting Stories Through the Art of Collage



In the world of contemporary collage art, Tatjana Smith stands out as a creative force who seamlessly blends personal history, found materials, and vibrant colors into thought-provoking compositions. Born in the USA and now based in Germany, she has cultivated a unique artistic voice rooted in both cultures. Her journey with art has been shaped by life's ups and downs, but since rediscovering her passion in 2000, she has never looked back.


In this interview, Tatjana shares insights into her artistic process, inspirations, and the role of art in her daily life.





First of all, could you introduce yourself to us?


Let me introduce myself, I am Tatjana, the collage artist. I live and work in Germany. In 1975, my family moved from the USA to Germany. I feel rooted in both countries. I love art, good food and wine, as well as good people. I am rather introverted, though most people wouldn’t recognize that. I am someone who walks through life with gratitude and contentment. As a young woman, I was fiercely curious, which greatly shaped my life. I am grateful for the freedom I had to do all these things and form my own perspective of people and various aspects of life.



When did you become interested in art?


I have always had a deep love for art. I had so many ups and downs in my life, so that I was not always able to make art like I can do now. Since 2000 my life started getting better and I freed myself from a lot of negativity. I got back to art and started my collage journey until to this day and will never stop again.



What areas of art have you experienced? Can we define you as a collage artist?


Definitely yes.



'With other Eyes'
'With other Eyes'


Do you think artistic perspective is important to be a good collage artist?


Yes, an artistic perspective is definitely important to be a good artist. It helps to interpret and express the world and one’s creative ideas in a unique way. A strong artistic perspective allows

an artist to create original works that are not only technically skilled but also emotionally and intellectually engaging. It influences how an artist perceives and combines themes, colors, shapes, and compositions. Without a personal perspective, an artist might struggle to stand out from others or find their unique voice in the art world. An artistic perspective develops over time and is often the result of experiences, study, and continuous experimentation. It is, therefore, an essential part of the creative process and artistic identity.



Do you visualize a project before you start it, or do you just go with the flow?


Both.



How do you source your collage work? Do you prefer to use the materials you have or are you always searching for them?


The answer is also both. Things I find, things I saved from clearing. I constantly discover new things that I incorporate into my collages. These are often personal memories and echoes of the past that come to life in my work – like letters from the Vietnam War that my father sent to my mother, or old magazines that my grandmother kept. I also use everyday objects I find on the street or at flea markets. These items are like small, forgotten stories that I bring back to life and transform into something new.



Who are the artists that inspire you?


Ohh! So many: Banksy, Frida Kahlo, Gustav Klimt, Robert Rauschenberg, Hannah Höch, Pablo Picaso, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, Egon Schiele…



'Der Pilz'
'Der Pilz'


Do you spend more time with a brush or scissors?


That is a hard question. Cutter knife, scissors I guess. But in between I also paint a lot and draw.



We see that you use colors very well in your works. How important do you think colors are in adding emotion?


Colors are very important in every sense. They enhance the expression of a piece of art. Emotions are conveyed more strongly through colors. With colors, the story of an image changes, as they add depth and nuance, influencing how the viewer perceives and connects with the artwork.



What do you think about social media? Do you think it is beneficial for artists?


Social media can be both a blessing and a curse for artists. On the one hand, it offers a wider reach and connects artists with one another. It provides quick access to the work of others and can be a source of inspiration. However, a work of art presented through a photo on social media will never evoke the same emotions as when you stand in front of it in person. Experiencing the artwork directly is indescribable. For a long time, I struggled with whether I should have a website for my art. Ultimately, I decided to take a more modern approach and go for a digital showcase. Yes, I believe social media is very helpful.



Are there any art forms outside of your field that you are interested in, such as music and cinema? Can you give examples?


Yes, I also love music and dancing. I used to do jazz dance myself with a group of girls. Lovely experience and fun time. We even won championships. My husband is also very creative. He can turn a bicycle into a moped in no time. I simply love creativity in many forms – whether it's in cooking, which feels like meditation to me, or in sculptures, and so on.



Apart from art, what do you like to do in your daily life? How do you spend your day?


In my free time, as mentioned, I love to cook. I enjoy spending time in the garden – gardening is also meditative for me. I do sports, meet with friends, or relax at home with my husband and our cat Arno. I travel to the USA and Europe. I’ll work for one more year, and then I’ll enter the passive phase of my partial retirement. After that, I hope to have more time for travel and other activities.



Do you think art has a healing power?


Yes, I believe that the process of creating and observing artwork has an impact on us. It relaxes me and takes me on a journey. Art can evoke all kinds of emotions. Art remains art and is essential.



'Egg'
'Egg'


Do you have any new projects coming up soon?


I end a project and start mostly a new one. My current artwork/series are surrealistic collages. In between I make some symmetrical ones. In the future I would like to exhibit more.



How would you define your art in one sentence?


I call it "the beauty behind the madness“.





Tatjana’s artistic philosophy is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of creativity. Through her collages, she gives new life to forgotten objects, infusing them with emotion and history. Whether working with a cutter knife or a paintbrush, she approaches each piece with an artistic perspective that is both intuitive and intentional. As she looks ahead to new projects and exhibitions, one thing remains constant—her commitment to uncovering "the beauty behind the madness."


Tatjana's personal website: https://www.ts-collagen.de/

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page