Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryl Hansen.
Taryl, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I didn’t set out to become a full-time artist. I began my career as an elementary educator, teaching 3rd and 4th graders. Today, I am a highly skilled graphic recorder pursuing a career in magic markers, drawing on super-sized sketchbooks and engaging audiences worldwide through the power of visuals. So, how did I get here? I guess you might say I am best known by my friends and family as a life-long learner who has never outgrown a love for PLAY! My favorite toy as a child, the magic marker, became the catalyst for my love for visual communication.
Now, I am the creator and owner of a thriving small business called Frame the Message Ink. I provide graphics and group facilitation in support of personal and professional learning.
After graduating with a teaching degree from Grand Canyon University in 1990, I launched my teaching career on the island of Maui, where I learned a lot about collaborating, innovating, and taking risks, I started a small tutoring business and brought a Masters’ program, the first of its kind, to educators on the island. It was in Lahaina, Maui that I learned that if an opportunity doesn’t exist, create it yourself!
After 10 years in Hawaii, my daughter was born, and I knew it was time to come home to my native Arizona. I began teaching in the Paradise Valley Unified School District and earned my National Board Certification. This achievement led me out of the classroom and into a leadership position at the Arizona K12 Center, a non-profit organization, providing high quality professional learning for educators. There I trained teachers, created curriculum, designed programs and events, and presented at conferences. It was at one of these conferences that I first saw a graphic recorder work her magic in front of an audience of learners. I knew that day that I’d found my tribe!
I began studying and learning from others in the field of graphic recording and practiced my skills at meetings, conferences, and events locally and nationally. I didn’t know much about what I was doing, but this was fun!
Before I knew it, I was receiving requests to pack my markers and travel the country to work with educational organizations. Turns out, something powerful happens when you support people in framing their messages well. I saw graphic recording build community, capture hearts and minds, and bring joy back into learning!
So, in June of 2015, with the support of an amazing network of super-fans and cheerleaders, I left my full-time position as a professional development provider and launched Frame the Message Ink.
Nothing takes you on a personal journey of discovery faster than quitting your full-time job to pursue a career in magic markers. I am still evolving in my new identity as an artist, and I’m always a teacher at heart. All I know is that I love to draw, and I’m blessed to be able to use that skill to help others communicate in more interesting and engaging ways.
With 25 years in education, I’ve made it my life’s work to teach in ways that people learn best. I’ve found a way to merge my love for drawing with my love for learning and now I’m challenging others to do the same. I am on a mission to teach the world that drawing should never stop with elementary school.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a graphic recorder. The art I produce is created as part of a process, such as when a meeting or event is taking place, or a presenter is speaking. While others are talking, I capture visual images capturing the salient points as they are being shared. I am a public visual notetaker.
I create the piece LIVE and, in the space, where the event is taking place. On a set of 5-8-foot boards, I use white paper, magic markers, chalks, and other mediums to summarize key points in visual ways, allowing audiences to follow along as they integrate their own understandings through auditory, visual and kinesthetic modalities.
I encourage audiences to participate by using the images as a learning tool, and as a springboard for discussion and collaboration as the illustration unfolds, and as follow up and review after the event concludes!
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
Love the work you do and do the work you love. There’s no such thing as hard work, when you love the work you do. For me, the key to success is a strong belief in what I do, and a support system behind me that believes in it as well! I used to believe that art was frivolous. For most of my schooling, it was something I hid underneath my desk because of a fear of being viewed as a daydreamer, rather than an intellect. The key to my success has been telling my story and confidently sharing a visual communication style that others can connect with! It has made all the difference in bringing so many others to believing in the power of graphic recording!
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People shouldn’t be surprised to find a graphic recorder at the next conference or meeting they attend! Graphic recording is taking the world by storm and is becoming one of the primary learning tools for innovative and forward-thinking organizations. For examples of graphic recording by Frame the Message Ink, visit www.framethemessageink.com and explore the galleries. For additional information and content, follow Frame the Message Ink on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3815 E. Parkside Lane
Phoenix, Arizona 85050 - Website: https://framethemessageink.com/
- Phone: 602-690-7444
- Email: taryl@framethemessageink.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/framethemessageink/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/framethemessage/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/framethemessage
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPrmsOjbMpIa98uuNDMOG1Q
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
