Even though Tanja has been an artist her entire life she has worked professionally as a Graphic Designer for over 12 years. Her design sense and strong composition and color skills can clearly been seen in her illustrations. Since 2003, Tanja has strictly worked as a freelance illustrator and designer with her main focus being children’s illustration. Her first picture book, “There’s a Coqui in My Shoe!”, written by Marisa de Jesus Paolicelli and released by ChiChi Rodriguez Books in 2007, won the 2008 10th Annual International Latino Book Awards for Best Educational Children's Book - English. Her second book “The Adventures of Salt and Soap at Grand Canyon” published by the Grand Canyon Association will be released in the spring of 2009. In addition to design and illustration projects varying from character studies, book illustrations, greeting cards and marketing collateral, Tanja has enjoyed working on numerous book jackets ranging from children’s titles to adult fiction and non-fiction titles. Her love of story telling drives her to continually refine her craft. Traditional mediums such as acrylics, water color as well as pen and ink are Tanja’s favorite, but she also loves the freedom that digital tools such as Photoshop offer.

Tanja is an active member of the Arizona chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and helps out as Co-Illustrator Representative. After having lived in Germany and Australia, Tanja now calls Arizona her home with her husband, Kevin, her daughters, Isabelle and Zoe, her two Goldens Otto and Peanut and cat Ducky.

Awards and Recognitions:

"There's a Coqui in My Shoe!" - Winner - Best Educational Children's Book - English
2008 10th Annual International Latino Book Awards

"There's a Coqui in My Shoe!" - Tied for Second - Best Children's Book
2008 10th Annual International Latino Book Awards

"The Student from Zombie Island " - Winner - Best Cover Design: Children/Young Adult
2008 Glyph Awards - Arizona Book Publishing Association