Horizons Opening at The Memo

‘Horizons’ is a new exhibition by Silvan artist, Tania Chanter, that is opening at The Memorial Hall in Healesville on Friday 1 February at 7pm.

This is her first solo exhibition and comes just over a year since she first began her career as a painter. As she told The Mail last year, her first work was done as a family activity with her sons and the passion developed from there.

“It’s quite interesting, I had absolutely no idea I was going to get into art,” she said.

The initial enthusiasm came from watching ‘The joy of painting’ by Bob Ross on Youtube and she has since developed her own style, taking inspiration from the landscapes and surrounds of the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley.

“My feelings flow directly onto the canvas in an uninterrupted, intuitive flow; layers, textures and colours blend and evolve before me until some secret inner part of me feels satisfied. I don’t question or reflect on the process as it takes shape, I simply let the emotions rule the head. Around my home, nature overwhelms the human environment.”

Her first showings were at Kallista Tea House in the Dandenongs and Round Birds cafe in Lilydale. The Memo is her first solo exhibition and she has been shortlisted for the 2019 Art Lovers Australia Prize, marking a year of progress in her new career.

Reflecting on her own shift into an artistic career, Ms Chanter said, “What this has proved to me more than anything is that you can only limit yourself. I had no idea I was going to paint or enjoy painting but everyone should try it.”

The Exhibition will be opened by Gary Collier, Director Tusk Gallery, and runs until Tuesday 12 March.

Finalist for the 2019 Art Lovers Australia Prize

Tania made the shortlist for the 2019 Art Lovers Australia Prize.

The Art Lovers Australia Prize is an annual art prize that awards prizes to professional artists from around Australia. 

This year the finalists include Tania Chanter. Tania was not only amazed that she made the shortlist but also a little overwhelmed at the honor to be considered.

Her artwork , Meandering Expectations, was the first in a series of works along the ‘meandering’ theme and features rich colours and textures inspired by theunique  Australian landscape.

She is currently preparing for her first solo exhibtion at The Memo Gallery in Healesville to be opened by Gary Collier from Tusk Gallery.

Featured Artist

A passion for all to see

Silvan artist Tania Chanter is taking her first steps as a professional artist by exhibiting her paintings at various cafes around the hills.

Relatively new to the art, Tania had never really taken to creative art, or painting and said she’d never considered herself very good at it. Though, it was only when she tried painting with her family that she found her new passion. “It’s quite interesting, I had absolutely no idea I was going to get into art,“ she said.

“I started when I was six and pretty much took a 43-year hiatus … I never imagined I would get into it as I’ve never been any good at drawing. “One of my sons decided to do some painting,  so we all got some painting gear, sat outside under an oak tree and started painting. “The boys finished one painting each, but I became completely obsessed and never stopped.”

The rest is history, as they say, and ever since Tania has been painting vigorously. Though she hasn’t found her particular genre yet, she does find a lot of inspiration for her painting from the surrounding landscape in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.

“At the moment, I am experimenting with a variety of landscapes, and floral items; generally some abstract landscapes, that’s probably what I enjoy at the moment,” she said.

Since starting, she taken her first steps into exhibiting, with works exhibiting at Kallista Tea House from June to the end of July and Round Bird Can’t Fly in Lilydale from July to August. Speaking about exhibiting, and the daunting task of taking her first professional steps in the industry.

Tania had a message for others who might feel the same. “What this has proved to me more than anything is that you can only limit yourself … I had no idea I was going to paint or enjoy painting but everyone should try it,” she said. “Don’t be held back by your own fear, as you may find that you love it and can do it.”

It’s Never Too Late

Tania Chanter came to painting later in life. She had always had a desire to express herself, but had never really found a way. That was about to change.

Inspired by watching Bob Ross videos on YouTube, one of her sons said, “let’s get some painting gear and give it a go!” – For those unfamiliar with Bob Ross – he was an American painter responsible for the instructional television program The Joy of Painting that became popular in the 1980’s and has since found a new audience on the Internet. – So, that’s how it all started. Her boys completed a painting each, while Tania became completely engrossed and hasn’t stopped painting ever since. She had found her medium and so began a new chapter in her life.

Her work is driven by intuition, a love of colour and pattern. Currently she is focussing on landscapes inspired by the Yarra Valley and the changing effects of the elements on the environment. Whether it’s a field of wildflowers swaying in the wind or a thunderous storm ravaging a hillside, her aim is to capture the atmosphere and communicate emotion.

Tania always felt a little frustrated. She had the desire to create, but felt she wasn’t good enough to accomplish anything of value. With positive feedback for her paintings and people actually buying them, she now feels that all the hard work is worth it. “Even if no one bought my work, I still feel compelled to continue improving and developing my style.”