As The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival blooms into production this spring, we decided to sit down with this year’s featured artist, Taman VanScoy. Known for his soft, moody landscapes reminiscent of Van Gogh, VanScoy explains how he developed his creative focus and where his brush might wander next.
Taman, tell me a bit about yourself. Where did your love for art originate?
Being creative and making some form of art has always been a part of my life since I can remember. Growing up in an artistic family, my mother a ballet dancer and my father a photographer, at an early age I was encouraged to be creative.
You attended a Waldorf school in childhood—known for holistic, well-rounded teaching methods—and California State University Long Beach. In what ways has your education influenced your career?
My upbringing in a Waldorf school was essential in my artistic development as a child. When looking back I realize how important it was for a child to be given the opportunity to explore creatively without the fear of failure. Once in college my focus narrowed to painting, and I realized that was my calling.
How would you describe your style, and what—or who—has inspired you most?
My current style would be best described as a type of contemporary impressionism highlighted by controlled yet expressive brush strokes. The dream-like feel of my work is somewhat inspired by the tonalist painters. Gerhard Richter and Vincent Van Gogh are two of my well known favorite artists. I love Gerhard Richter’s piece “Betty” in particular—it evokes this mysterious, dreamlike feel through its realism.
What drew you to landscapes, and what keeps you engaged in that genre?
I’ve always been amazed how being in nature can affect one’s emotions. From the quiet, almost eerie calm of those few minutes after dusk to the energy felt from a thunderstorm. Painting landscapes is a natural fit for me to explore human emotion.
Is there a specific piece from your portfolio that remains significant to you?
Every new series I make there is usually one painting that stands out as being the most successful or unique of the group. One of my latest pieces entitled “Spring Reflections” is a good example of my latest techniques—loose yet deliberate brush strokes using paint to highlight the negative space, which in turn accentuates the foreground—coming together in a beautiful way. It’s a special piece that I am honored to have auctioned off at the Woodlands art festival 2026.
If you were to take a break from painting to explore another medium, what would you choose and why?
Printmaking has always been fascinating to me. From monoprints—a versatile, painterly printmaking technique that produces a unique, one-of-a-kind image—to mezzotints—Mezzotint is an intaglio printmaking technique invented in 1642—the transfer process created interesting textures I would enjoy exploring.
Surveying your career, what is the greatest challenge you’ve faced? What would you consider the greatest triumph?
Preparing for festivals can be very challenging. The deadline to complete artwork can be stressful but I’ve found some of my best work comes from firm deadlines. You become hyper focused and paint without second guessing your decisions. My greatest triumph would be simply having a professional art career for 25 years. Growing up, that seemed impossible, but I have had success beyond my wildest dreams and feel very honored.
Can you describe what a typical studio day looks like for you?
My day usually begins late morning, assessing and contemplating the previous day's work. Usually I take an hour or so looking at what has changed in the painting and what direction it needs to go. Once painting the brushstrokes tend to be cautious at first and become more confident as the day progresses. I’ve been a professional artist for 25 years and I still find each day to be a new adventure. Sometimes daunting, sometimes exhilarating, but always gratifying in the end.
You are The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival's 2026 Featured Artist. What does that recognition mean to you?
It is an amazing honor to be recognized as the 2026 Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival Featured Artist and I am beyond excited. To be selected out of a few hundred extremely talented artists is truly overwhelming. I have tried my best to use this selection as motivation to challenge myself artistically and channel that positive energy into my current series. So very thrilled to be a part of this wonderful event.
What piece of advice would you give to someone who would like to try their hand at painting for the first time but is hesitant?
No matter how long you have been creating art there will always be some form of doubt and uncertainty as the ideas form but the only way to push past that hesitation is simply to start. Once you get the ball rolling things start to take shape and that's when the fun begins.