Meet Tanya Little-Palmer | Actress, Painter, Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Little-Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I can’t recall a time when I didn’t create. I didn’t want a doll house as a child, instead I played outside and constructed my own palaces from sticks and grass. Dandelions were my dolls. If I wasn’t outdoors creating some adventure, I was indoors painting, drawing or sewing. By the time I became an adult, there seemed no other choice for me, I was a creative and would remain so. Be it acting, jewelry design or painting, I live life expressively.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Life is not lived in a straight line! I graduated from Brown University with a degree in Theatre Arts. I spent 10 years working as a professional actress in Paris, New York and Los Angeles. This part of my life was so special because I developed a one person show performed at the American Place Theatre in NYC. The show spawned a state wide program called Literature To Life where great pieces of literature were brought to the stage for audiences of all ages. The show toured for 10 years. After I settled in Los Angeles, I continued to act, but began to struggle emotionally. Acting jobs were few and far between. Since I am a creative I needed to find another expressive outlet and began making jewelry. Before I knew it, I attended the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), became a Graduate Gemologist and launched my own jewelry design company, Eumenides Jewelry. I continue to design and have also segued into painting www.TVLart.com. Things seem to be coming back full circle. My husband and I relocated to Atlanta in 2019 and after a 13 year break from acting, I’m back in front of a camera and it feels fantastic! I am in my fifties and at peace with me. I am having a great time and enjoying the creative process in a way I never have.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The top of my list would be the High Museum. It has the largest collection of African-American art in the country. Next would be BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, GA. A Mandir is a Hindu Temple. This place is jaw-droppingly beautiful. More than 34,000 pieces of stone were carved by hand in India and shipped to the USA and assembled in Lilburn. Third, would be FETCH, a dog park in the Old Fourth Ward where your pooch can play while you sip on the cocktail of your choice. Fourth, would be to rent a bike and tour Piedmont Park. Piedmont Park hosts the largest outdoor art show in the USA during its annual Dogwood Festival in August, not to mention a fantastic jazz festival over Labor Day Weekend. Finally, Dunwoody Nature Center hosts a monarch butterfly event in August as well. They have two tents full of overwhelming beautiful butterflies.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am who I am because of the influence of so many. In particular, I need to thank my husband of 23 years for his unwavering love and support. I’d also like to recognize my mentor and acting instructor Wynn Handman of the American Place Theatre who taught me to trust myself. Wynn recently passed away at the age of 96.

Website: https://tvlart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyalittlepalmer/

Image Credits
All images were taken by me.