Tia joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1993 as a Digital Painter during production of the studio’s first feature film, Toy Story. She subsequently held the Shader Art Director role on five other films, including Pixar’s Monster’s Inc., A Bug’s Life, Brave, and others. As a Texture Art Director at Pixar, Tia was responsible for specifying the color and texture of every object modeled for a film. As the Manager of Art & Film at Pixar University, the educational branch of Pixar, Tia helped to foster the continuing education of Pixar employees; teaching art classes and offering writing, film, and a wide variety of related classes to its 1300 employees.
Prior to Pixar, Tia was a background painter at Disney Feature Animation from 1980 to 1994, where she worked on a variety of acclaimed animated films including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, Tron, and others.
Her paintings for films have been in exhibits around the world: MoMA, Japan, England, and beautiful Oakland, California, among other exotic locations. Currently Tia is working as a Visual Development artist at Walt Disney Animation. Her most recent project was the feature Wish.
When she’s not at work, Tia spends her time painting watercolors—doing her best to keep computers as far away as possible. She is a signature member of the Northwest Watercolor Society and California Watercolor Association.
Tia is a graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. She currently resides in Moraga, California with her husband (and co-Holton Studio artist) Paul Kratter.
We will be highlighting Tia Kratter’s watercolors
October 4th through November 1, 2025
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View this artist's archived work
Mendocino Magic Hour
Watercolor on paper, 5″ x 7″. SOLD.
Siena’s Sharp Left Turn
Watercolor on paper, 16 1/2” x 11″. Painting only: $900.
Framed in No. 2—2″ in walnut with clear oil finish. Coved 22kt gilt slip. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,750.
BUY
She’s Got That Inner Glow
Watercolor on paper, 10” x 11 3/8”.
Framed in a No. 400—1 3/4″ in walnut with clear oil finish. 22kt gilt slip.
SOLD.
Dunking Booth
Watercolor on paper, 11” x 10 1/2”. Painting only: $700.
Framed in a No. 300 BC Low—2″ in cherry with Deep Red Brown stain. Rose gold slip. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,550.
BUY
Pom Party
Watercolor on paper, 9 1/2” x 11 3/4”. Painting only: $750.
Framed in a No. 22—2″ with pewter waxed sight edge. Cherry with Deep Red Brown stain. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,350.
BUY
Ball Pit
Watercolor on paper, 10″ x 14 1/4”. Painting only: $900.
Framed in No. 1.6—2″ with gold waxed sight edge. Cherry with Deep Red Brown stain. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,400.
BUY
Walk with Catherine
Watercolor on paper, 10 3/4″ x 9″. Painting only: $800.
Framed in No. 1.4—2″ in mahogany with Medieval stain. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,200.
BUY
Distorted Protea
Watercolor on paper, 11 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Painting only: $800.
Framed in No. 408.4 BC—1 5/8″ in walnut with clear linseed oil finish. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,350.
BUY
Top Seed
Watercolor on paper, 8 7/8″ x 10 3/4″. Painting only: $800.
Framed in No. 10 H—1 3/4″ in walnut with Medieval stain. Slip tinted with white linseed oil paint. (Inquire for other frame options).
Painting framed as shown: $1,350.
BUY
Face the Camera and Say Cheese
Watercolor on paper, 12″ x 9″. Painting only: $800.
Framed in a No. 408 BC—1 5/8″ in walnut with clear oil wax finish. With museum glass. (Inquire for other frame options.)
Painting framed as shown: $1,275.
BUY
Filigree
Watercolor on paper, 17″ x 11 1/2″. $1,200 unframed.
Grand Palais Staircase
2019. Watercolor on paper, 11 3/4″ x 15 3/4″. $1,500 unframed.