London, England Gallery Representation at Belgravia Gallery

I Just got back from visiting my gallery representation in London, England. Belgravia Gallery just relocated from Mayfair in London to a castle in Chinthurst Hill, London. This was intended for clients to get a better idea what sculptures and paintings can look like in a luxury living environment. This castle was built by Edwin Lutyens, the greatest British architect of the twentieth century. I feel honoured to have my work represented in such a beautiful place and I love working with Belgravia Gallery.

Upcoming Group Exhibition

I’m taking part in a group exhibition at a prominent new gallery that is just opening in Vancouver called Elan Fine Art.

I’ll have one, possibly two pieces in the show. 

It should be an interesting exhibition with artists work such as Cathie Falk, Jeff Koons, Jeff Wall, Anish Kapoor, Douglas Copland, William de kooning, Ray Mead etc. and the gallery space is absolutely beautiful. I’d love to see you there if you can make it.

The opening is on Saturday Feb 25th from 1-5pm

258 East 1st Ave Unit 4 (second Floor),Vancouver.

Warmly,Tanis

On Creativity

" What a beautiful testament to the creative spirit and its true motives, to creative contribution coming from a place of purpose rather than a hunger for profit." Leonard Cohen

I love this way of looking at creating art. Actually at looking at life in general, from what I can give rather than what I can get from each situation. This is not to say that I don't think that an artist should be paid well for their work, on the contrary, making art is hard work. I believe It takes years of honing skills, connecting to oneself and to one's medium, to create long lasting gifts for the world.

Creativity as a Guest

Tom Waits said in an interview with GQ magazine about creating songs “Some songs will come to me with almost an absurd ease, like dreams taken through a straw, other songs I have to work hard for like digging potatoes out of the ground, while some songs are like wild birds that I must come at sideways, sneaking up on them gently so as not to scare them into flight."

I like thanking creativity and treating it as a guest because honestly, I'm lucky to host it. As soon as I start making the work about what I can do and taking full credit, I tend to make terrible forms.

Working with my Hands

"Where the Spirit doesn't work with the hand there is no art" Leonardo Da Vinci

Skill and the study of my medium is extremely important to me although, it only takes me so far. My best pieces are made when I have let go of all that I know and the curiosity of how a form can take place moves in to create something from within me. I often feel as if I am at the beginning again unravelling the mystery of the next sculpture.

I started creating better work when I gave myself permission to make mistakes. This freed me up to explore and let go further into what I really wanted to say in form.

Creativity and the Art Making Process

I love the Quote by Pablo Picasso "Inspiration exists but it has to find you working".

My creative process involves working hard and then sometimes the muse arrives to lead the way. Making art for me is practice honing my skills and then being ready to listen for what feels right and the way the material wants to be used. 

Instead of waiting for the ideal conditions to create, I just show up at my studio and get to work in the most honest way I can. Having a family, and being over 40 has led me to work this way. Having said that, creating is a very spiritual experience for me, and I make my best work when my heart is leading.

Here's a couple of photographs of my studio, it can be transformed to what I need it to be. It's also my sanctuary.