By Hannah Truby
Mountain Gazette 204 contributor, Tatyana Alanis, is an illustrator and designer with a talent for capturing the quiet magic in the mundane. The 28-year-old’s rise was swift once she began sharing her illustrations on Instagram; since her first post in late 2021, her work has attracted over 19,000 followers.
Originally from Anaheim, California, and now based in Fort Worth, Texas, Alanis works under the name French 75 Studios, creating illustrations that blend nostalgia with present-day life. Her use of warm hues and realistic textures gives her illustrations an effortlessly cool, modern feel, while simultaneously evoking the comfort and nostalgia of the past.
Through her work—such as her series "Vibe Check: A Fort Worth, Texas, Artist Transports Us" in MG 204—Alanis transforms everyday moments—a quiet living room, a sunny street, a slice of domestic life—into scenes that feel timeless, intimate, and captivating. In this conversation, we dive into her creative process, inspirations, and the personal threads that make her work feel both local and universal.
Hannah Truby: Can you share the story behind the name “French 75 Studios” – what does it represent for you?
Tatyana Alanis: When we were younger, my husband and I would go to this little spot in Fort Worth before we were married and have French 75s. It was our fancy date. Looking back, the restaurant wasn’t upscale at all, but it was more than McDonald’s. We were 21 or 22, and when you're in college, just trying to make it, having those little drinks felt special.
HT: I read that in your art, you often blend nostalgia with present-day life — I’m curious: what draws you to explore that tension? Are there specific memories, places, or feelings you find yourself drawn to?
TA: When I draw for myself, I’m usually reflective, looking back on joyful moments and blending them with current or potential future joys. A lot of what I draw is aspirational too—like always being somewhere in an incredible apartment.
HT: Do you find that illustrating this balance between past and present influences how you see your own life or surroundings?
TA: Yes, absolutely. It makes me cherish life more. Being reflective reminds me of the preciousness of life and makes me more excited to do things.
HT: You grew up in Anaheim and now live in Fort Worth — I’m curious to hear how a move like that, between two pretty different places, shaped your perspective or your art if at all?
TA: I blend the two scenes together a lot. Moving at 12 or 13, the memories kind of blur. California has that old-West vibe similar to Fort Worth, so they mix pretty well.
HT: Where do you find inspiration? How do you decide which everyday life moments to depict?
TA: Usually I get in a rut when I’m making things for work and not for myself. I take a day or a week to create for me—painting, photography, movies. That fills my own creative well.
Scenes of readers enjoying Mountain Gazette, illustrated by Tatyana Alanis.
HT: How do you balance personal vision with client or audience expectations while staying true to your artistic voice?
TA: It’s important to know when work isn’t for you. I don’t compromise my integrity because my art isn’t political. Sometimes I hide little personal touches, like a picture of my dog, in client work.
HT: Walk us through your creative process: from idea to finished illustration, what part do you enjoy most?
TA: I love the ideation phase—researching, finding inspiration from magazines, movies, state sales, and old homes in Fort Worth. Then I sketch on paper or Procreate, send sketches to the client for tweaks, create a color palette, and finally add color and texture to finish.
HT: Where do you think your signature style as an artist came from?
TA: I’m hugely influenced by comic books. My uncle, I don't think he really knew what to do with me since my aunt and uncle didn’t have kids. But he had a bunch of comic books from when he was a kid and thought I might enjoy them. Whenever she had to go to work, he’d be babysitting me and was always like, “I don’t know what to do with you, girl, but you can read these.” That man had the best stuff, a garage full of it—we’d sit in his Man Cave going over all his comic books. Even though for him it was probably just the best he could do, I look back and those are some of my favorite moments. He’s one of my favorite people—kind of like a father figure to me. It’s really cool to see how those small moments impacted my life so much and now even my career.
HT: What feeling or experience do you hope people take away when they view your illustrations?
TA: I’ve always used art as a way to feel comfortable in my own skin and to find my happy place. So when someone says, “This is really comforting” or “It makes me feel warm or safe,” I love that. Maybe I’m putting that in there subconsciously, but that’s definitely what I hope people take away from my work.
HT: What’s on your creative horizon for the next year — new media, collaborations, or evolving imagery?
TA: I’m at a residency right now, working on a body of work and a comic book. In the future, I’d love to work with big brands like Nike or a car company, but honestly, any project is exciting because I get to create.
HT: Any words of advice for aspiring artists?
TA: That little voice in your head that says, “Don't do it” or “Who do you think you are?” — try not to listen to it. Even if you feel that it’s a thousand percent right, at least give it a go, because in the grand scheme of all things, you tried something, and it either worked or it didn't, and that's not the end of the world. That’s how I like to look at it.
