Cover Artist: Tia Cronin

Tia Cronin: Creating Art, Spreading Joy

Cover artist Tia Cronin is drawn to beauty in nature like a honey bee to jasmine. “Growing up, I was immersed in nature,” says Tia of her childhood days in the Pacific Northwest. From the lush rainforest and majestic mountains of Washington’s northwest peninsula to the fragrant sagebrush and rolling tumbleweed of Oregon’s high desert, she has lived in communion with nature and loved it.

Like nature, art was another constant in Tia’s life. “I was attracted to art and visual things from an early age. I remember vividly when I was a young child getting my first box of crayons—the 24 pack—the smell, the bright colors—it was the most exciting thing for me.”

At 19, Tia moved to California for college. Earning degrees in graphic design and communications, she landed corporate jobs in sales and marketing. Later, when she married the love of her life, a handsome Brit named John, she took on another job—being stepmom to his three children, Dylan, Kealan and Aidan. In time, she and John had a child of their own, a daughter they named Neala.

With a full-time job and a houseful of kids, Tia still nurtured her artistic talent. “At first I worked with pastels but soon transitioned to acrylics.They are fast drying and easy to clean up so I could paint for an hour, leave it and come back whenever I had the time—and the place.”

When Tia and John moved their family into a bigger house, the call to paint art became clear. “It was a TALL house,” says Tia. “The walls were in dire need of art—huge pieces of art.” Tia set to work on her very first paintings on canvas. Unlike many artists who start out painting small, she dove right in on larger—36 x 36 and 30 x 40— canvases. “I painted nature-inspired things like flowers and birds and some still life—all very colorful and pretty bold.”

Tia gradually transitioned to painting abstracts and exhibited her art in coffee shops and galleries. As sales grew, she rented a two-room studio/gallery but later returned to painting at home. “I remember the first time I added ‘artist’ below my name on my business cards. It felt strange but as I was living an artist’s life–consistently creating and selling art—I slowly grew to accept the title.”

Tia also grew to accept another platform for showing her work—social media. “Years ago, I began posting photos of my paintings and works-in-progress, primarily using Instagram to publicize my work. I also followed other artists and listened to art podcasts, learning from them and realizing we shared many of the same challenges. No doubt, social media’s provided a tremendous boost to my career.”

After 35 years living in California, Tia and John wanted to relocate—and Louisiana was on their radar since daughter Neala and her husband, Tucker, were living there. At the time, Tia and John were empty nesters, working remotely at their jobs due to COVID, and looking to move to the South. Tia’s mom planned to join them, too. Sadly, those plans changed when Tia’s mom was killed in a tragic automobile accident. “It was devastating,” says Tia. “I needed my family more than ever, so my husband suggested we move to Louisiana to be near Neala and Tucker.

Tia readily agreed and the wheels were set in motion. “I donated, sold and gave away much of my work, taking only 25 paintings with me, mainly to decorate our house. One of those paintings was the last painting I’d done before my mom died in the accident. As usual, I had no plan when I started working on it. I put paint on the canvas and let it tell me where to go next. I think the flowers came first. I started adding butterflies but I didn’t like them. Then the rabbit silhouette came, leaping into the picture. I posted it on Instagram. When my mom saw it, she called to say, ‘You should call it Leaping into Spring,’ so I did.”

While Tia prepared to move to Louisiana, Neala wasted no time finding a home for her parents in Covington. It was under construction but they bought it, sight unseen, because flying during COVID prevented an in-person visit.

Tia and John quickly fell in love with Covington and the surrounding towns but Tia did not know if she’d pursue her art business again. “To tell you the truth, given everything that had happened, I really thought I was done with art—certainly my art business.”

However, after moving in, Tia painted a few pieces for their new house. Then the builder’s wife asked her to do a painting of her daughter-in-law’s wedding bouquet. Next, she painted another piece for a house-warming gift. “Before I knew it, I was painting regularly. I considered re-starting my art business but, before I could, I had a lot of work to do.”

Tia spent the next year establishing a business, networking with local businesses, building a website, creating and posting on a new Instagram account, and, of course, painting.

A year after moving to Covington, she retired from her job in order to devote herself to her art (and her adorable grandson, Stetson). For artistic inspiration, she turned again to what she loves—nature. Vincent van Gogh once said, “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” And Tia did. As she painted her abstract florals, something magical happened—they effused JOY.

California native Becky Cagle, one of Tia’s most ardent fans, experienced it firsthand. Referring to her favorite painting of two orange koi and a lotus blossom, Becky says. “I love the vibrant colors. They make me feel happy and make me smile.”

Shannon Stage, co-owner of Sassy Bird Interiors in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, echoes that sentiment. “Tia’s artwork makes you feel good. When customers see it, I hear them say, ‘Oh, I just love that. It makes me happy!’”

Lynn Harper of Austin, Texas, another faithful customer, commissioned Tia to paint a diptych of a flowering vine for her dining room. “There are a lot of times that looking at that painting makes my day and leaves me smiling,” says Lynn. “Tia’s paintings add a spark of sunshine and spring to my space. I feel her joy in them.”

Craig Cordell, owner of Clayton House Marketplace in Covington, says customers love how bright and colorful Tia’s work is without being overly cliche. “And those who know Tia comment that her artwork is happy and bright—just like Tia. She’s a fantastic person. We’ve had hundreds of vendors over the years. Tia is one of our favorites, one of the best.”

Lisa Condrey Ward of Southern Hotel in Covington is such a fan, she selected Tia twice as the featured artist for White Linen Night—and displayed her camellia painting for the annual camellia show in January. “Tia’s work is very cheerful and has great colors,” says Lisa. “It has a lot of appeal and sells at an approachable price point.”

Despite these glowing accolades, not too long ago Tia found herself struggling with her purpose as an artist. “Was my artwork important at all?” she questioned. “Considering so much heart-breaking news in the world today, I wondered if I should be creating art that was more ‘important.’ Knowing my art does not carry a political, societal, or cultural commentary, I started to question my ‘why’ and whether or not my art had any value or purpose.”

Then, one day, while standing before her easel, wrestling with self-doubt, Tia turned on an Art Juice podcast. The words she heard gave her the answer:

“Not only is it okay for artists to fuel the hope and beauty in the world, it is what we all need now more than ever before.” (Georgina Noel, mindset and business coach)

Suddenly, it became crystal clear to Tia that she did have a purpose—a lofty and noble one. “I help people of all ages, circumstances and walks of life to experience beauty and joy and to be inspired and uplifted. I create beauty and share it with the world.”

Is there any finer purpose than that? wildpoppyartanddesign.com and Instagram @wildpoppyart