#1 Welcome to Open Studio & Feature of Illustrator Tanya Teibtner
A (roughly) monthly Newsletter sharing glimpses of work, process, and the connections that fuel it
Hi out there! 👀
You’re getting this because we’ve crossed paths or because I thought you might enjoy a look inside the process. (If not, no hard feelings — feel free to unsubscribe anytime.)
Here at Open Studio, I will share glimpses behind the scenes, notes on process, and what’s currently inspiring me — exhibitions, books, ideas.
One ongoing series features portraits of fellow creatives and artists. This first issue will be about Tanya Teibtner – Illustrator and visual designer from Berlin.
Glad you’re here.
Paulina
#1 Tanya Teibtner – Illustrator and Visual Designer
Tanya welcomed me into her beautiful Neukölln studio she’s sharing with other Berlin artists from various fields. Even though it was our first meeting, there was an immediate sense of warmth and ease. To give you a tiny insight into her work I’ve asked three little questions.
Hey Tanya, it’s so nice to see you. Could you please introduce yourself?
Tanya: I’m an illustrator and visual designer with German and Colombian roots, living in Berlin. I create colorful, story-driven worlds that invite people in: a mix of playfulness, atmosphere, and emotion.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
Tanya: My work often moves between imagination and reality. I like building scenes that feel familiar but slightly dreamlike. There’s usually a calmness in my images, but also small details that hint at stories underneath.
Color plays a big role for me. I use it to create mood and rhythm. I sketch digitally or analogue, draw by hand, and then bring everything together on my iPad. I enjoy this back and forth, it keeps the work grounded but open to intuition.
My days start quietly at home with matcha and cuddles from my cat Kafka, before I bike to my studio in Neukölln. It’s a shared space with other illustrators, photographers, and designers. We often cross paths over coffee breaks, which I love :-)
It makes the days feel connected. I usually focus on one project at a time. Once a week, I also work in a small bistro in the kitchen, which gives me some balance and a change of pace.
A project that felt especially meaningful recently was designing the vinyl and singles for Swiss musician Maud Paquis. Her trust and freedom made the collaboration flow so naturally!
Another ongoing project close to my heart is the Mystic Garden Tarot, a tarot deck I self-publish. The third edition will come out at the end of this year. It’s a space where I can explore intuition, nature, and symbolism.
Last question: Do you have a method or ritual to maintain your creativity?
Tanya: I try to keep both my body and mind balanced. I go to energising Pilates and Vinyasa yoga classes, and I love running along the canal or in Treptower Park. I’ve found amazing teachers in Kreuzberg and Neukölln who make me feel part of a small community. It’s something I really value. Illustration can be quite solitary work, and I’m a social person at heart.
For creative input, I listen to music, dive in novels, get in contact with other creatives and visit exhibitions. Seeing Yoko Ono’s work at Gropius Bau this year was very inspiring. I also enjoy exhibitions by upcoming artists! I find it moving to see how committed they are to their ideas. During my studies at UdK Berlin, I wrote my thesis about the female body in performance art, and I think that still shapes how I look at art and creativity today.
If you want please check out Tanya’s work here or on her Instagram
Thanks for making it to the end — a little extra love for you!
And - of course - thank you Tanya for all your time, thoughts and sparkle. Really loved every second of our shooting. 💚💜
See you soon <3