
Tia joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1993 as a Digital Painter during production of the studio’s first feature film, Toy Story. She has 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, and is on a project in its early development.
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.
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Pool Party
Watercolor on paper, 14″ x 8″.
Framed in a No. 103 BC—2″ with green linseed oil painted sight edge. Quartersawn white oak with Light Medieval stain. With museum glass. (Inquire for other frame options.)
SOLD

Clarity
Watercolor on paper, 7″ x 10″.
Framed in a No. 16—1 5/8″ with 18kt gilt sight edge in walnut with clear finish.
SOLD

Pond Party
Watercolor on paper, 3 1/2″ x 9″.
Framed in a custom mitered—5/8″ with special carved corners in walnut with clear finish.
SOLD

Gap of Five
Watercolor on paper, 3 1/2″ x 5 1/4″.
Framed in a No. 22.1 CV—5/8″ with special carved corners in walnut with clear finish.
SOLD.

Nature’s Sculpting
Watercolor on paper, 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″.
Framed in a No. 1 CV—5/8″ with special carved corners in walnut with Clear finish.
SOLD.

Vibrancy
Watercolor on paper, 12 3/4″ x 8 5/8″.
Framed in a No. 1—2″ in cherry with Brown Mahogany stain.
SOLD.

Heather Farm Bloom
Watercolor on paper, 10 3/4″ x 9 1/8″.
Framed in a No. 22.6—1 1/2″ 18kt gilt sight edge. Walnut with a clear finish. Archivally framed with Museum glass.
Sold.

Soft Fall
12 1/4″ x 18.” Watercolor on paper.
Framed in a No. 440—2″ in walnut with Medieval stain. Clear finished maple slip. Archivally framed with UV and glare-reducing Museum glass.
SOLD

Cracked
7 1/2” x 14 1/4.” Watercolor on paper.
Framed in a No. 108.4 BC—2 1/4″ in walnut with Medieval stain.
SOLD.