I am an artist who uses acrylic paint and mostly keys to create images of creatures in a surrealistic style.
I  began gluing objects such as keys to my canvases many years ago. At first I simply painted over them, to see if they could get lost in the image. Gradually they became more dominant in my process, becoming the bones I build the painting on, quite literally in the skeleton series. The flatness of the keys allows me to employ them in a subtle manner, ideally the viewer comes to see them after looking at the piece for a moment or two.

The most important thing I learned in art school was “let the piece talk to you”. I usually start a piece by glueing down the keys or other objects, gessoing over that and then I start to “listen”. Sometimes it is clear immediately what the image will be and sometimes I just have to start and see what emerges.

I approach making my art with an open mind and a willingness to let the piece go where it wants.  My paintings reflect my love of animals, nature, space and fantasy.

I live in beautiful Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where I received my B.F.A from the University of Saskatchewan. Listening to interesting music while painting in my sunny dining room is my idea of a great time. I usually listen to CFCR, Saskatoon Community Radio while I paint.

You can contact me at tannisp@sasktel.net

Or follow me on Instagram  @antistannis