A bit about me
Once upon a time before the dawn of
social media, I studied sculpture
and painting at The Ruskin School
of Fine Art, Oxford University.
My creative practice has now
spanned over 30 years.
I established my gallery in
the West Midlands in
2008 and supply my work
to delightful galleries and
shops around the U.K.
My Influences:
A child of the 70’s, my creativity developed by quietly offering freedom and autonomy whilst under the authoritarian command of “Victorian Dad”, critical mom and a precocious older sister.
A further refuge was to entertain myself for hours in our family garden where I preferred the company of the native wildlife…
This sort of thing is how many an artist comes into being..!
It was fortuitous that I was a Hallow’een baby, which helped to counteract my family dynamics by affording me a clear sense of my own self, tossed in with a little peculiarity! Coupled with encouragement from my school art department, I made the decision early on that my career was going to be an arty one!
Added into my identity were our annual trips to the isolated community and stunningly biodiverse subtropical islands of Scilly, where my mother was born and family still reside. A safe haven which always offered something affirming to see and do.
With these pivotal factors to define me, it is my wry observations from the flip side of acceptance and the daily recreation of the wonderful freedoms of my childhood idylls and escapes that are the driving force of my creativity.
As a young lass in the Isles of Scilly. I have visited once or twice every year, all of my life.
Back garden with family pond and sunken garden where a community of frogs, newts and hungry Tench hung out.
My Philosophy:
My work is jovially contrarian and a little iconoclastic.
It is a reaction to you can’t, you shouldn’t (or should), you won’t be able to, you’re not allowed to. It’s - why exactly? when social convention or the establishment say it’s done a certain way. It’s seeing through you - character cheekily observed and poked fun at. It’s festivity to frustrate boring dreariness. It’s asserting validation in the face of disparagement and it’s doing it anyway in the face of opposition. It’s a calculated misfit, a quiet and humorous rebellion executed in a fun and harmless way. It’s - not going to do what you tell me. It’s manifesting loopholes where it is comfortable to exist. It’s creating freedom and happiness.
If you get it, you get it!
Made to make you smile!
If you similarly seek to liberate yourself and chase your own utopia, then my suggestion is to make something…anything. You can find a few creative projects to put a smile on your face on my Blog page to get you started.
If you can’t create, make your surroundings cheerful instead! I believe that real creativity is the creation of something you haven't seen before - I’m often told that my work is "different" which is the highest compliment! Find fun things in the shop!
Art should be enjoyable and accessible not scary and elitist, which is why I love to use my idiosyncratic humour in the things that make. I want my work to put a smile on your face!
Originally founded in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, I have rebuilt my studio and gallery display space at my home near Kinver where you can take part in workshops to learn my techniques or visit by appointment to browse art fresh from the studio.
Stockists
Gallery Tresco, Isles of Scilly / Cupola Gallery, Sheffield / Platform Gallery, Clitheroe/ The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle / Verandah, Holt /
Gallery Tresco, Isles of Scilly / Cupola Gallery, Sheffield / Platform Gallery, Clitheroe/ The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle / Verandah, Holt /
Nook Gallery, Birmingham / Walrus Gallery, Norwich / The Boathouse Gallery, Chepstow / Fuzzypeg Folk, Bungay /
Nook Gallery, Birmingham / Walrus Gallery, Norwich / The Boathouse Gallery, Chepstow / Fuzzypeg Folk, Bungay /
Weem Gallery & Framer, Pittweem / Brightwater Gallery, Alnwick / Winnie & Olive, Kinver / Nutshell Homewares & Lifestyle, Bridge of Allan / Mostyn, Llandudno / Virtual Vintage Co. Bishop Aukland / Art At Little Blue Budge, Online /
Weem Gallery & Framer, Pittweem / Brightwater Gallery, Alnwick / Winnie & Olive, Kinver / Nutshell Homewares & Lifestyle, Bridge of Allan / Mostyn, Llandudno / Virtual Vintage Co. Bishop Aukland / Art At Little Blue Budge, Online /
“Beautiful artistry. Customer service was excellent, keeping me informed throughout.”
Nameer - Dubai
“Tania is a mixed media artist and sculptor creating playful pieces full of fun and colour. Her work brings a smile to the face and lifts the spirit!”
Worcestershire Guild
“Get ready to be charmed! Tania elevates paper mache beyond the ordinary. Whimsical and bursting with personality, each piece is lovingly handcrafted from salvaged materials, making them unique as they are delightful.”
Kinver Parish Council
“I was visiting the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe yesterday, and came away, delighted and smiling, with one of your seagulls; it was difficult to choose just one of your papier mache birds ! They have such personality.”
Caroline Booth
“These look absolutely lovely in my small studio shop, they've been a real talking point with my customers and there was a rush to buy the only seagull I had. I've just put in a second order as my shelves look bare without the birds. Beautifully made, it's so lovely that I can buy genuinely handmade items and it's worth the short wait to get them. : ) ”
Jennie, Walrus Ceramics
Contact Me
Do you have a question? Send me a message and I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.
Current price list available for trade customers.
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