Tanya Blong was born in Australia and raised on the shores of Taranaki, New Zealand. Extensive overseas travel has enriched and informed the direction of Blong's work. She graduated in 2006 with a major in sculpture and painting from Hungry Creek Art and Craft School in New Zealand. Sculpture was the basis of her work for several years, working predominantly in wood, the figurative forms related to navigation and ocean faring cultures. Also spending several years as studio technician to renown New Zealand sculptor Terry Stringer. These days figurative painting forms the direction of Blong's work.