My Story

Meet Tanya (Tunzi) Russel, a barrel racer, cowgirl, artist, and mother to many – humans, animals, and plants – she is love!

What sparked your love for art, and how has it evolved?

When I was eight, my family moved to a farm, where I truly learned about life-death, renewal, and the miracles of nature. My creative eye developed simply by observing the world around me. Every day after school, I’d race home, kick off my shoes, and head straight to the animals and nature. I didn’t need a teacher; everything I needed to learn was right there.

Now, as an adult, I see how my upbringing connects me to the people who find me here. I get to share the magic I experienced as a child – and what a gift that is.

Twelve years ago, I picked up a paintbrush again and have grown immensely as an artist. Switching to oils added depth to my work, and my goal has always been to capture the soul of my subjects. I’ve learned to translate a three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional canvas while conveying emotion.

I’m also grateful for my husband Ant, whose support has allowed me to chase my dreams – whether competing with my horses, creating art, raising children, or simply being myself. What a cool life!

Painting two large-scale humpback whales was a profound experience, making me realise how deeply I connect with my subjects. The piece left me feeling heavy, as if still in the ocean’s depths. It wasn’t until I painted Stella, a massive sea turtle, that I felt the lightness I had been craving. Painting, running, and my beloved horses have all been part of my healing journey.

What makes horses great therapy partners?

Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve always felt drawn to them, connecting on a subconscious level. With over 40 years of riding experience, my approach has shifted from controlling horses to working as a team.

What makes horses exceptional therapy partners is their profound ability to connect with humans on an emotional level. This unique bond is partly due to the powerful electromagnetic fields generated by their hearts. While the human heart emits an energy field extending up to three metres, a horse’s heart produces one about five times larger – completely enveloping you. This expansive energy field can directly influence your heart rhythm and emotions, fostering a deep connection between horse and human.

Each morning, a few hours after sunrise, you’ll find the horses lying together in peaceful harmony, resting and trusting one another. My amazing grooms respect this sacred moment and never disturb them.

Ant always jokes that the horses live at a spa – and he’s not wrong! They’re so relaxed that between 12:00 and 14:00 when they come in for lunch, you’ll often hear them snoring. It’s a beautiful reminder of the safe, restful space they call home.

Art isn’t just something I create – it’s something I experience, something that transforms me.

Have you seen a link between creativity and healing in your life or others?

Absolutely. I’ve always felt a deep connection between creativity and healing, especially in the peace and release I experience when I pick up my paintbrush. While the process can be frustrating at times, I keep going. The most rewarding moment is when the “magic” starts to happen on the canvas – that’s when the struggle turns into something beautiful. That breakthrough is always my favourite part of a painting.

For me, this mirrors life. We all face tough times, and how we navigate them defines us. Do we push through, or do we give up? Creativity has taught me resilience – the ability to keep going even when things feel challenging and uncertain. And in that perseverance, healing happens.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your journey?

“Believing is seeing.”

The most rewarding part is seeing everything take shape, step by step. Learning patience, trusting the process, and believing in the dream have been truly fulfilling. Each step adds to my heart, shaping it in unexpected ways. Watching the vision come to life every day is the greatest reward.

Buzz Barn, founded five years ago at Fairview Estates in Ballito, is a space where people can thrive. My goal is to bring together experts in riding, connection work, meditation, breathwork, and creativity. My team and I teach children, some as young as three and a half years old, to connect with horses – much like the bond depicted in Avatar. It’s a privilege to guide both horses and riders with love, compassion, and clear boundaries. This year, I’m building an Art Studio, opening even more exciting opportunities.

The land itself has been a journey. During the earthworks for the Grounding area around the Barn, we uncovered hundreds of quartz crystals, giving Buzz Barn a peaceful energy – one that makes visitors never want to leave. Once an old sugarcane farm with poor soil, I felt called to plant a wildflower meadow. In its first season, it flourished into a haven for bees, butterflies, ladybirds, and countless other creatures. Every day, I am in awe of the life around me and love sharing this special space with others.

What’s next for you?

My dream has always been to create a space where people, horses, and animals can thrive, learn, and heal – a place of love, connection, and renewal. Every day, that vision grows. Buzz Barn continues to evolve, offering children’s parties, creative experiences like mosaicking for women, fun holiday clubs, and unforgettable riding adventures, from moonlit outrides to dam rides and scenic trails. My latest venture, Open Your Heart, is a connected breathwork meditation with our herd of nine horses, which they choose to join, creating powerful moments of stillness and connection. This dream keeps evolving, and I can’t wait to see where it leads next.

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