Artist Biography
An emerging artist, Tania Small started creating artwork in a full-time capacity in 2021 after retiring from her position as International Operations Manager at a large global company. Small works from her home studio set on acreage in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Queensland.
Using multiple layering techniques and translucent glazes to achieve light, space, depth and texture in her work, Small captures a sense of emotion and a feeling of time and place in her Still Life paintings. Small draws inspiration from objects found in the home environment , particularly those with an antique or rural aspect, and from those observed throughout her travels.
In 2023, Small spent a month in France as an Artist in Residence at Chateau Bouthonvilliers, Dangeau. Her current works are heavily influenced by this experience.
Small has been the recipient of first prizes in both the Kenilworth Online Arts Competition 2022, and the Mary Valley Arts Festival in 2021, and was a finalist in the 2023 Brisbane Rotary Art Prize and the biannual Redland Art Award 2022.
Artworks of Tania Small are currently held by private collectors in homes and businesses in Australia, Sweden, Prague, Hong Kong and London.
Artist Statement
To look upon light falling on an object and be transported emotionally to a place and time is the intention of my still life paintings.
Using oil paint on canvas, my current collection of works are inspired by practical household items, often of a vintage nature. Once cast in a beautiful vignette of light, these compositions are designed to evoke sentiment and are further brought to life by multiple layers of paint and high attention to detail.
Artist CV
Awards and Prizes
2023 Brisbane Rotary Art Show. Finalist.
2022 Redland Art Award. Finalist.
2022 Kenilworth Artsfest Online. First Prize Open.
2021 Mary Valley Arts Festival. First Prize Novice Section.
2021 Mary Valley Arts Festival. Highly Commended Still Life Section.
Solo Exhibitions
2022 Open Studios Sunshine Coast. Home Studio, March 2022.
Group Exhibitions
2023 Bienarte Group Exhibition. Albion, Brisbane.
2022 Cooroy Butter Factory, Cooroy. Members Exhibition.
2022 Old Ambulance Station Gallery, Nambour. Arts Connect Group Exhibition.
2021 Cooroy Butter Factory, Cooroy. Members Exhibition.
Artist Residency
2023 Chateau Bouthonvilliers, Dangeau, France.
Atelier Artist in Residence, 3 week duration.
Education
2022 Classical techniques in painting and drawing
Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney
2022 Painting From Life
Tutor - Andrew Bonneau, Brisbane
2020 – current: Oil Painting workshops and studio painting
Tutors – Marcel Desbiens, Bronwyn Searle, Bienarte, Brisbane
2011 Bachelor of Business
University of Southern Queensland