Tanya Klingsh was born in Darmstadt, Germany in 1943. She grew up in Germany and when she was 33 years old she immigrated to Canada where she worked as a translator and a language instructor. Her life was abrubtly transformed when she showed syptoms of schizophrenia and experienced hallucinations. Tanya's abstract art and poetry became a mirror for her state of mind, alternating between the darkness from her illness to the peace and joy that she feels today.

Tanya now lives in Claresholm, Alberta with her budgie, Cricket.