Artist Profile: Carol Tanzi
Unravel the Mystery - it’s Pandora’s Box
The Goddess of Garbage by Carol A. Tanzi, ASID, CID
Her work is creative, imaginary, and forward thinking. Its beginnings were rooted in a new way to approach recycling to help save our environment and natural resources. The name Goddess of Garbage was thought up by one of her staff at a business meeting. The name was perfect because it suited her quirky personality, although she is very serious about her subject matter. She is no bag lady!
Earth Day in Barstow with the Goddess of Garbage
Her creative process is two fold. Sometimes she sees some item at the Design Center and knows she can design a look-a-like from trash. Other times, she sees trash and designs something from that. The GofG usually thinks about a design first and then draws it with notes on a yellow ledger pad. She enjoys different types of music from classical to Jazz or rock based on her mood. Due to her work schedule, she usually works in smaller chunks of time over a period of several days. When she is working, she doesn’t like to be interrupted by people or phone calls. Her anticipation of her finishing the design project grows each working day.
On the Rosie O’Donnell Show
Her training goes back to when she was a child. The GofG was playing with natural materials even then. For instance she designed and made a whole set of cardboard furniture to scale for two small dolls. She then packed them into thrown-away shoeboxes so she could travel on vacations with her parents. She received her BA in Interior Design and took a membership in ASID (American Society of Interior Design). She was the Home furnishings Co-Coordinator for RH Macy’s for 6 1/2 yrs and then opened up her own interior design business. She created her own TV show, Issues and Topics and hosted several shows on recycling. She eventually got into volunteer work and has designed thousands of recycled baskets brimming full of recycled
items for auctions. She doesn’t think of herself as a hobbyist so to speak, in relationship to what she does. The GofG thinks everything has contributed to her current level of artistry. Education, experience and perfecting your
skills are all needed.
The GofG’s favorite tool is her glue gun. She just loves it. Her favorite material that she loves to recycle is Styrofoam.
The GofG is inspired by everything, everywhere, including people. There are an abundant of ideas all the time. She has several note books with design projects sketched out ready to be made at a moments notice.
What inspires the GofG when the going gets tough is knowing she has something very important to share and tell people. She believes in herself.
Her best piece of advise for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry is perseverance, faith and assertion.
Carol’s time is take up with her interior design business. It’s a full time job. The GofG always works hand in hand with Carol.
Being Italian, our favorite comfort foods are Caesar salad, pasta with pesto, and a quality glass of Chianti.
One of our favorite books: Truman by David McCullough
Our favorite colors: white, black and red
Other Hobby: Miniatures
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POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Assemblage, Collage, Creativity, Mixed Media
1 opinion for Artist Profile: Carol Tanzi
Valerie Foster
Jul 3, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Wow, this profile is very interesting and inspiring. I thought I recycled a lot of “stuff” in my art, but this lady takes it to a whole new level. How very cool! Thanks for this profile, Cyndi. It really gets my creative juices flowing, which is a good thing.
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