Tania Vartan

One thing that I have noticed about suffering from information overload is that it really takes something unique and clever to catch my eye. That was certainly the case a few days ago when I first learned of the talented decorative painter Tania Vartan. I'm sure that for many of you, Tania is not a new name. I'm only just learning of her work, but, as they say, better late than never.

Tania started her career in the 1970s as a New York based fashion designer, later moving into the field of decorative painting in the 1980s. As a painter, Tania has executed stunning murals and trompe l'oeil paintings for the likes of Mark Hampton, Mario Buatta, and Lee Radziwill. In addition to mural work, Tania's other mediums include reverse glass painting, small oil paintings, and fabrics. Her fabric collection, available through John Rosselli in New York and George Spencer Designs in the UK, includes many prints that Tania first designed decades ago for her fashion collection. Now, though, they're available as furnishing fabric.

I've included a sampling of Tania's work below, but really, this is just the tip of the iceberg. I encourage you to visit her website to see more photos of her beautiful work. Tania recently wrote a book chronicling her work as a painter. Tania Vartan, A Memoir of the Decorative Arts 1970 to 2011 is available for purchase through her website as well.



A Robert Adam style ceiling in a private dining room.



Acrylic on canvas panels for a music room in a private house.



Rain Forest, a trompe l'oeil painting by Tania



Baroccoco, another trompe l'oeil painting




Radishes, gold leaf and oil on panel




Study in Brown and Green, oil on canvas



After Leon Bakst, reverse glass painting



Another reverse glass painting




A reverse glass painted mirror




A hand-painted pillow





Tania's fabric collection

All images from Tania Vartan's website.