Process

Detail of Underpainting

I work in a series of contradictions. I usually start with no idea of where I am really going. However, sometimes I start with a colour., and sometimes that colour changes. I always start a painting on canvas with an underpainting of colour washes.

Detail of Underpainting

The colour washes are applied in thin layers. In places there will be one or two layers, in others there will be several. These washes start to build a landscape, a road map of lights and darks and of movement. They give direction  and are in no way indicative of the colour that will be applies over them.

Once this has been achieved  I spend a great deal of time looking at it from all angles. I place them upside down, sideways, and mix them up. Often times a triptych will become a diptych or a single canvas.

Detail of Underpainting

Triptych

40" x 78" 

I search for the movement that suggests the figure that should be there. Once this has been established I can start painting.

So really, my underpainting a series of underpaintings.

Prints Available

Leap of Faith

I had hoped to be going to n equestrian event with my art, but it just wasn't in the cards this year. I had printed a few extra of "Leap of Faith" and held back two of "In the Still" (only 5 were printed). Since I won't be going anywhere they are now available at my Etsy Shop The Superlative Horse.

In the Still

Each giclée print is 16" x 20" with a 2" white border for a total size of 20" x 24", and is signed.Printed on smooth watercolor paper with archival ink.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Ruby Slippers Effect

Primavera 

Oil, Acrylic and Charcoal

on Canvas

40" x 60'

7950.00

Why does anyone buy an artwork? The answers are as varied and as complicated as the people who made the purchases. However there is a common thread in most than a of the replies, "It makes me feel good."

When I create a painting it is like following that thread in the maze. It takes surprising twists and turns that lead me along. At the end it has developed in to a work that has it's own vibrational signature. It may be joy, or longing, vibrant and invigorating or calm and restful.The possibilities and combinations are endless.

Each individual who views the painting will see something, feel something a little bit differently and in some cases completely different.

This is what I call the Ruby Slippers Effect. It is your memories, your experiences, bits of you that are called forth when you look at a painting and feel something, or not.

I have brought forth a touchstone, a piece of art that causes you to pause, and reflect, and feel. You my dear are the one, you have the magic, and you had it all along.

Small Works Project

Racer

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Acrylic, Vintage Pattern, Pigment

on Canvas

Sold

Fowl

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Mixed media Collage

75.00

I have several projects that I am committed to for the spring. One of them is an installation where I will be presenting nine paintings. I am very excited about this show and will be sharing detail as it gets closer.

untitled

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Mixed Media Collage

55.00

Meanwhile I need to purchase materials to create and frame these paintings so I have initiated the Small Works Project. All work that I post will be priced from 45.00 to 200.00 and includes shipping via the USPS in the US, shipping may be arranged outside of the US for a fee.

untitled

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Mixed Media Collage

55.00

Please remember that I am a lousy picture taker. ;)

Love Cowboy

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Mixed media Collage

75.00

I will be posting artworks available here on my blog, on Instagram at sweetgrassart and on my FaceBook page Tanner Jensen Fine Art. Inquire about a piece of art email me at ctannerjensen@gmail.com

Thank you!

Love Cowboy II

3.75' x 4.75'

Matted to 8" x 10"

Mixed media Collage

Sold

Leap of Faith

Leap of Faith

After several inquiries regard "Leap of Faith" I have decided to offer it as a Giclée print for a limited time. Image size 16" x 20", 2" white border, for a total print size of 20" x 24". 245.00 plus 10.00 shipping and insurance in the United States via USPS. Arrangements may be made for International orders.



or contact me at ctannerjensen@gmail.com

Thank you.

In Celebration of the Thoroughbred

Look Homeward

26" x 20" 

Mixed Media on Yupo 

1250.00

I love Thoroughbreds. I learned to ride on them. My first horse was a TB, and in fact the majority of the horses I have owned have been Thoroughbreds.

I also believe in giving back. So in celebration of the bred that has give so much to me 20% of all art purchased from between now and May 8th, 2016 I will be given to ReRun and to Remember Me Rescue. Both of these organizations do an outstanding job in giving Off the Track Thoroughbreds a life after racing.

My original artwork may be viewed at www.tannerjensenfineart.com and in past blog post.

As an added incentive I will be providing free shipping in the contiguous U.S.

If you have any questions, please email me at ctannerjensen@gmail.com

Thank you.

An Artist Statement

Foundation Stock

Acrylic, Charcoal, and Graphite on Yupo

17.5" x 23"

875.00

I am constantly evaluating my art and studio practice. Trying new media and experimenting with different applications. Working to improve my skill set. Playing with different ideas and approaching the same problem, question from different angles.

As a result of this my artist statement changes. The changes are subtle as I move closer to my own truth.

This is the latest.

I paint horses.

I paint them because I love them, and this love has led me to spend thousands of hours with them, learning about them, and coming to an understanding of them.

There is a moment when I sense an ineffable something that dissolves all the boundaries of my prescribed being, and I am filled with a joy that verges on heartbreak— a feeling so overwhelming that it takes my breath and all my words away, and I am only left with marks and color.

It is in these moments that I feel the most authentic, and want to share what I have felt.This is what I paint. This is what I have to share.

Texture

Leap of Faith

Acrylic, Graphite, and Charcoal 

on Yupo

17.20" x 23"

Sold

I have been working on Yupo for the past few weeks. It has a lovely smooth surface. The graphite and charcoal glide across the surface. It accepts the paint and also resists it. It is a fascinating and seductive material to work on.

Detail of Leap of Faith

Generally I do not incorporate a lot of texture in my work. I prefer implied texture, even when working on canvas. However, I find myself building and manipulating texture on the Yupo, both actual by building layers that have more body and implied by layering paint of different values and transparencies.

Detail of Leap of Faith

I have no idea where this is all leading me to, but I am enjoying the trek.

Mad about Yupo

Comin' In

17.5 x 23

Mixed Media on Yupo

Sold

I LOVE the surface of this paper. Yupo is a synthetic paper made by a company in Virginia. It has soft and velvety texture. It accepts the charcoal and will then release it, leaving only a ghost of the line. A line like the memory of a dream.

I have been using acrylic, and gesso, and charcoal, and water-soluble graphite on it. I have been working with a limited colour palette, and yet I feel there is so much to still explore with in these boundaries. It's intoxicating, I love being a painter.

Light and Dark

Untitled

26" x 20"

Mixed Media on Yupo

Sold

I have been experimenting with Yupo. It is a synthetic paper and responds quite differently than traditional paper. I have been fooling around with it from time to time for that 8 or so years.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that it was time to complete a painting on the Yupo. I used Golden Acrylic along with water soluble graphite, ink, and vine charcoal.
This is the result. A horse in shadow with light illuminating the lower half.

Thinking & Inertia

Detail of painting in progress

This is the perfect image of a painting I am working on. It's a little dark, a little out of focus, which is exactly what I am feeling.

I thought this painting would be finished two weeks ago. It is no where close to bringing finished. Why? Because I am so easily distracted by what I think I should be doing, instead of doing what I should be doing.

Thinking can become my trap. Over-thinking is my down right nemesis. Heaven forbid I start awful-izing! All of these ultimately lead to inertia. Like a shark if an artist stops moving they start dying.

I recently came across an article that addressed this issue. The correspondence between Sol LeWitt and Eva Hesse to stop thinking and just paint, to just DO IT!

So now I am off to the studio to just DO IT!

Red Edge; Work in Progress

I am currently working on a triptych. Each panel canvas is 24" x 40" x 2". This area is approximately 8" x 8". Planning to show the finished painting at Criollo August 7th.

Summer Events!

I am pleased to say I will be at the Event at Rebecca Farm in amazing Kalispell, Montana July 23rd - July 26th.

This is a spectacular event!

In August I will be showing paintings at Criollo Latin Kitchen, 16 North San Francisco Street in Historic Downtown Flagstaff. The artwork will be on display August 5th through September 1st. The opening is August 7th and will be part of the First Friday Artwalk.

If you will be in Flagstaff and want to arrange a Studio Visit please contact me at ctannerjensen@gmail.com

Thank you and enjoy the summer!

The Grey

The Grey

Mixed Media on Paper

30" x 22'

1750.00

There is something romantic and unerringly heartbreaking in the soft and gentle expression of the eye of a grey horse. If you have ever had a grey in your life you understand this.

This painting is composed of watercolour, 23 karat gold leaf, ink, and acrylic paint on 300 lb Saunders Waterford watercolour paper and is currently available.

 Please contact me if you are interested in acquiring this painting.

In the Frame

"In the Frame"

Oil on Canvas

34" x 34"

$3750.00

Visit www.tannerjensenfineart.com or Tanner Jensen Fine Art on Facebook.

I look forward to hearing from you.
ctannerjensen@gmail.com

Sunflowers and Horses

Sunflowers and Chestnuts

Oil on Canvas

20" x 20"

$1450.00

I love the contrast between Sunflowers and the summer sky, and Chestnut or two completes the picture.

Hope you are enjoying the summer as much as I am.

Horses, Horses, Horses!….and little girls.

I had a fabulous time up at The Event at Rebecca Farm, in Kalispell, Montana. Beautiful horses, horse people, dogs, and lots of little girls.

An eleven or twelve year old pony clubbed asked me if I had painted all of the artwork displayed in my booth. I told her I had. She very seriously walked into the middle of my booth and with hands on hips surveyed it while nodding. Solemnly she pronounced "Good job" and left.

A girl of about eight came in with two of her siblings. The looked at the paintings and made comments to each other, grabbed a piece of candy and headed out. The eight year turned and came back. "Did you do all of theses?" she asked. I said yes. She stood still for a moment, through her arm up and exclaimed "Fantastic!" and left.

Those two were the cherries on top of my ice cream sundae of a trip.

Roses and Violets

Untitled Horse in Roses and Violets

Oil on Canvas

34" x 34"

$3750.00

When I start a painting I have a very general idea of where I am going. No set destination, no completely formed picture in my head. I like it that way, it keeps it interesting for, the not knowing. The discovery of lines, and shapes, and color combinations.

This just such a painting. I knew I wanted the composition to be dynamic, but I had no idea what color this horse would be.

I love a good surprise.

Spring Romp

"Spring Romp"

Mixed Media on Paper

with 23 Karat Gold Leaf

22" x 30"

Framed

42" x 34"

4250.00

I LOVE this painting! It doesn't happen often, but every once in awhile I create a painting that I want to keep. I had this painting framed for the show and quite frankly, I'm smitten.

Garden Variety Friends

"Garden Variety Friends"

Oil on Canvas

34" x 56"

Sold

I am a wanderer. I am easily distracted. I also only formulate very loose plans. So, when I started this canvas I had a very vague idea of where I was heading and an even vaguer idea of where I would end up.

I hope you will join me and the amazing folks at Hidden Light, 427 South San Francisco Street, in Flagstaff on May 2nd, 6:00 pm for a showing of my paintings.