– Tatiana, tell us about your life story in America.
I am from Minsk. Before Austin, my husband and son and I lived in San Antonio, before that a little bit in Houston, even earlier in Hawaii, and even earlier in Shanghai. We moved to Austin, like most of the newcomers, because of my husband’s work. We were both in IT at the time, and it wasn’t hard to find a job in Austin. Of all the cities in Texas, Austin has always been our favorite.
– Tell us about your work. How did you organize your company? What were the difficulties? What interesting cases do you remember?
I did not start painting walls right away, and I ended up doing it somehow by accident, but it was the happiest accident of my life. Since childhood, I dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. I have always loved to draw. But of course, when I grew up, I realized that it was a dying profession. I mean just traditional 2D animation. But I could not resist, and when the opportunity arose to return to college, I graduated from the Faculty of 2D animation at ACC. By the way, I have the most pleasant experiences from studying there. Anyone who needs to study for a profession, I highly recommend considering the ACC option, it is expensive, high quality and gives you a lot of practice.
In general, as expected, there is very little room in animation. I worked on a couple of different projects after graduation, but by this time, I had already done some of my first wall paintings. Neighbors and acquaintances began to spread rumors, and I decided that painting was for me! I did a few advertisements and the business started. I learned everything from my mistakes. But I always worked with joy. It was then that I realized that if I can do this business and have fun, despite the amount of payment, this is definitely my favorite thing. All that remains is to learn how to make it profitable. Still learning. But every year it gets better. Last year I already had my first hired artist. There are always interesting cases in my work. Since most of the paintings are designed to order specifically for each client, it is always a very interesting process that reveals a lot about my clients. For example, Austinites are all very proud of their city, its symbols, music and celebrities. Many murals ask me to paint the Bluebonnets, the skyline of the city center with high-rises, and even Matthew McConaughey and Willie Nelson.
– What do you like most about Austin?
Most likely this is just a subconscious feeling. This city has its own culture, its own vibe. Although in recent years, living in the suburbs with a small child, we very rarely visit Austin itself, but all the same, it has already become a hometown.
– How do you participate in the life of the Russian-speaking community?
I am certainly not a very active member of the community. But sometimes I attend events. I always visit the gatherings of Belarusians in Austin.
– What event in the life of the community in recent years excited you the most?
Maslenitsa, the pancake week! I was just very pleased! Very lively music!
– What do you do and are interested in besides this?
I have a 5-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son. And my parents have been living with us for three years now, who, being new immigrants, are in many ways also like children here. So I give them all of my time aside from work. During the quarantine, I got carried away with painting stones, even orders went. I’m thinking over time about opening an online store.
– How can Austin’s Russian speakers support you?
It is always nice to know that there is a cultural and social unit in this versatile city. It would be great to organize something like a knowledge exchange between people, discuss how someone is doing business, what they can advise, and how to support one another.
– What are your dreams for Russian speakers in Austin in the future?
Its own information site, maybe something like a newspaper, but online, of course, cultural events like carnival, craft fairs, a fund for calling our musicians on tour here.
– What would you like Americans to learn about your culture, traditions, holidays?
Food, costumes, music, some of our history. This could be very interesting for some people in Austin. I would like our festivals to happen more often and to attract Americans and all other nationalities.
Contact information:
Tatiana Zhou
Website: WiseArtOwl.com
Instagram @wise.art.owls
Interviewer: Ekaterina Medvedeva-Kosova
Editor: Irina Khoroshavina
Publisher: Russian Cultural Center