Tessa E. Koller

I was born and raised her in St. Charles. Throughout my childhood I was never without a pencil and paper in hand. I began drawing early in childhood and this became my visual voice chronicling the stories of my family, school and social world. By high school, I dedicated my time to photography and advanced to painting courses at Southern Illinois University my senior year. During the summer of 2003, I went to the Art Institute of Chicago to study drawing and painting to pursue studio work. Upon graduation from high school in 2004, I earned a four year scholarship to the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. In 2008 I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. Since that time, I have remained in Milwaukee and continued drawing and painting. In 2007 I also started doing fashion design and took courses on pattern making and design. Throughout the course of the last two years, I’ve had fashion shows, and am in the process of promoting my clothing lines. Recently I have made great contacts with people in the acting and fashion industry, and am looking to enrich my life in all areas of art and design.

In the next couple of months, I will be publishing my first book titled “Branches,” which chronicles my journey as I live with significant health challenges. My story is gripping, intriguing and will keep you guessing. There are haunting yet harmonious elements in every chapter you read, and many adventurous surprises. All based on completely true events in my life!  Everyone who has read it so far has gotten hooked. Look for it on amazon.com either this month or next.

My paintings, photographs and fashion design work can be viewed at www.tesskodesigns.com.

1/2011

The Artist of the Month is on exhibit for the entire month at the St. Charles Public Library on the Mezzanine level. For further information: please contact Pam Salomone, 630-584-0076, ext. 246.