Born in Bosnia (former Yugoslavia) in 1972, Tanja Gant is a contemporary, realist portrait artist currently living in Texas. As a self-taught artist, Gant drew throughout her childhood and later during the Bosnian War. Since becoming a full-time artist in 2010, she has won numerous awards in regional, national and international competitions and has had her work exhibited in a number of shows throughout the country. 
Moon Shine, colored pencil, 30 x 19"
XII, graphite, 13 x 13"
She creates realistic depictions of her subjects in graphite, charcoal and colored pencil, achieving even the most minute details of the human face and form. Her graphite portrait XII captures a woman at a three-quarters view as she looks off into the distance. “My muse in XII is Mikayla, a lovely young woman who I’ve drawn several times, this being the 12th time,” says Gant. “I incorporated tinted graphite to add some color but still keep it in the graphite ‘family.’” 
Good Shepherd, colored pencil, 21 x 26"
When Everything Else is Grey, graphite, 15 x 20"
Red Kimono, charcoal pencil, 19 x 15"In Moon Shine, a woman in a golden robe with accents of red, sits in a dignified yet relaxed pose, looking down at the viewer. “This drawing, like so many other colored pencil drawings I’ve done, was inspired by the light, composition, colors and complexity of the textures. The larger size made it even more of a challenge. It speaks to sensuality and mystery,” says the artist.
Other works, like Queen in Training I and Shep, highlight Gant’s skills in portraiture, while Red Kimono demonstrates her ability to render the complicated shapes of folded fabrics. 
Shep, charcoal pencil, 17 x 19"
Queen in Training I, charcoal pencil, 14 x 17"Gant’s drawings are in permanent collections of the Art Renewal Center and the European Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona, Spain, as well as private collections throughout the world. Her most recent colored pencil drawing Good Shepherd can be seen in Colored Pencil Society of America’s 30th Annual International Exhibition currently on view. “Good Shepherd,” she says, “was my way of acknowledging and honoring a fascinating person whose life experiences and achievements are truly remarkable.” —
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