Meet the Artist

Therese Tucker is the artist behind Starthistle & Quartz, a world built for dreamers, for the ones who feel things deeply and have always known that was a gift, not a flaw.

A self-taught visual artist with a BFA in performing arts, Therese has been drawing and painting since childhood, always guided by a deep connection to Spirit and the liminal spaces between the waking world and the dreaming one. She thinks of herself as a Cartographer of In-Between Places. She goes there, brings back what she finds, and paints it.

Working in acrylic gouache, watercolor, India ink, and colored pencil, her work is populated by creatures with inner lives, storybook worlds, and quiet messages woven into every composition. She is the creator of the Moonrise Menagerie, an ongoing illustrated journey through healing places and liminal spaces, and the Exploring Wonderland series of original miniature paintings.

Having sold over 125 original paintings, Therese is known for making work that feels personal before it's even hung on the wall. Collectors describe her pieces as bridges between the seen and unseen, companions that found exactly the right home.

That's not an accident.

Every piece that leaves this studio is meant for someone specific. It always knows where it belongs.

 FAQs

  • The space between waking and dreaming. Creatures who carry messages. The moment everyday life tips sideways into something luminous and strange.

    I'm inspired by the natural world, by animals both real and etheric, by the feeling of stumbling into a secret garden at dusk. But underneath all of it is one consistent question: what lives in the in-between places, and what does it want to say?

    I travel there. I bring back what I find. Then I paint it.

  • A little bit of everything, honestly. Most pieces start traditionally, watercolor, gouache, acrylic gouache, or India ink on paper, then move into Procreate where I layer in digital textures, colored pencil effects, and hand lettering.

    I love the tactile imperfection of real media. The way watercolor bleeds. The grain of the paper showing through. Then I bring it into the digital world to refine without losing that handmade quality.

    The goal is always something that feels like it was made by human hands. Because it was.

  • Yes, and honestly this is one of my biggest dreams for this work.

    I'm actively seeking licensing partnerships with brands whose values align with the world of Starthistle & Quartz. Think home décor, stationery, textiles, apparel, and boutique packaging. The kind of things you'd find at Anthropologie, West Elm, or a beautifully curated independent shop.

    If your brand values beauty, whimsy, and the kind of art that makes people feel something, let's talk.

    Send me a note through the contact form and tell me a little about what you're envisioning. I'd love to hear from you.

  • Sometimes, yes. I take on a limited number of commissions and custom illustration projects each year, specifically ones that feel like a genuine fit for the world I'm building here.

    If you're dreaming of something with whimsy, warmth, and a little magic woven in, I'd love to hear about it. Send me a note through the contact form and tell me what you have in mind.

    No promises, but the right project has a way of making itself known.

  • Yes, and it's coming. I'm building the shop thoughtfully rather than rushing it, because everything that comes from this studio should feel intentional, not thrown together.

    In the meantime, original miniature paintings are available now on eBay, and my Patreon members receive exclusive postcards and stickers delivered directly to their door every month.

    The best way to stay in the loop when the shop launches? Join the mailing list. You'll hear it there first.

  • I currently ship within the United States using USPS Ground Advantage, which includes tracking so you always know where your piece is on its way to you. Most orders ship within 3 to 5 business days of purchase.

    Every piece is packaged with care, rigid mailers, protective sleeves, and a little something extra, because what arrives at your door should feel like it was worth the wait.

    International shipping inquiries are welcome. Send me a note through the contact form and we'll figure it out together.

  • Your piece arrives with care instructions, but here's the short version. Keep it away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. Handle it gently and clean it only with a soft dry cloth if needed.

    Original works on paper are more durable than people expect, but they do best in a stable environment where they can settle in and stay a while. Which, if you've asked it where it wants to live, it's probably already found the perfect spot.

  • Because each piece is an original one of a kind work, I don't offer returns. But I do stand behind every order completely. If something arrives damaged or there's an issue with your purchase, please reach out within 48 hours and I will make it right.

    Your experience with Starthistle & Quartz should feel as good as the art itself.