Conversations with Wendy Trattner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Trattner.

Hi Wendy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Wendy Trattner, a Scottsdale-based artist and founder of Canvas Combat. My path to art was unconventional. I studied mechanical engineering at MIT and built technology for innovative cleantech startups before realizing my true calling was on the canvas. Painting began as a personal outlet and quickly became my full-time focus, blending bold color, layered textures, and themes from science, philosophy, and my own life experiences. Today, my studio-gallery in Old Town Scottsdale is where I create and showcase my work, inviting collectors, travelers, and locals to connect with art in an intimate, inspiring setting.

Beyond my studio, I’ve been building Canvas Combat, a high-energy live art competition even series bringing the Phoenix and Scottsdale art communities together. Twelve local artists have 20 minutes to create original works while the audience votes in real time, and can take their favorite piece home the same night. Our next event is August 29 at The Duce in downtown Phoenix, featuring live painting, music, drinks, a comedian host, and an unforgettable atmosphere. Learn more about my art at wendytrattner.com and get event tickets at canvascombat.art.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road, but that’s what’s made it worth it. Transitioning from an MIT-trained mechanical engineer to a full-time Scottsdale artist meant leaving behind a stable career to build something entirely my own. I’ve had to learn everything about the art world from scratch; how to price my work, connect with collectors, and market myself in a way that felt authentic. There have been months of uncertainty, slow sales, and the constant challenge of balancing creativity with the realities of running a business. It’s something I’m still learning every day.

Opening my studio-gallery in Old Town Scottsdale was another leap. It came with financial risk, long hours, and the pressure to keep creating fresh, meaningful work. Launching Canvas Combat added its own challenges—coordinating artists, venues, sponsors, and ticket sales for an event that’s part art show, part live performance. But those same challenges have kept me excited and motivated to bring together the Phoenix and Scottsdale art community, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a full-time Scottsdale artist creating bold, colorful abstract paintings that I like to call “dopamine bombs.” My work blends science, philosophy, and raw emotion, with bright layers of paint and textures that create a sense of movement and depth. Many pieces reference physics equations or natural patterns, inviting people to look closer and discover hidden details. My studio-gallery in Old Town Scottsdale is where I create, showcase, and sell my work directly to collectors. It’s an intimate space where visitors can see the creative process up close and hear the stories behind each piece.

I’m most proud of building a creative life from scratch, including founding Canvas Combat, a high-energy live art competition that brings together 12 artists, a live audience, and the thrill of creating in just 20 minutes. The crowd votes, and the art can go home with someone the same night. It’s an unforgettable way to experience art. What sets me apart is the fusion of my engineering background from MIT with my creative vision, allowing me to approach art with both precision and passion. Whether it’s a painting in my gallery or a live competition, my goal is the same: to create work that sparks connection, conversation, and joy.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has played a role, but I think of luck as timing meeting preparation. Some of my biggest breaks, like selling a painting to a stranger who stopped me in my apartment lobby, or meeting the right collaborators for Canvas Combat, happened because I put myself and my work out into the world consistently. Of course, there’s been “bad luck” too: events that didn’t go as planned, slow months, or unexpected expenses with my studio. But even those moments pushed me to adapt, improve, and find new opportunities. In art and business, luck can open a door, but it’s showing up every day that makes sure you’re ready to walk through it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wendytrattner.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendytratt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wtratt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wendytratt

Image Credits
Rachel Fischer