Animus Domicilium

Home, the word to me implies more than just a house or a place; to me, a home is a sanctuary. In this diptych I am equating the human body with the idea of home as a sacred dwelling for the soul of humankind. Male and female spirits in the field of time are opposites incarnated in flesh. The biological processes of the body perpetuate human existence in this earthy refuge.

Alma Luz

www.alma-luz.com

Artist Profile: Tania Alexis Clarke

With a degree in Fine Arts and Multimedia Studies from UBC, Tania Alexis Clarke began her career in 2005 as a graphic and web designer and started her own company, Side B Design Studio. Within a couple of years Tania decided she wanted to get away from the computer screen and play with a blank canvas.

Soon she rented a studio space at The Beaumont Studios and kept herself busy creating mixed media paintings and block prints, going out on spontaneous photo shoots, and only occasionally going back to the computer to create digital art. It became fairly clear to her by September 2008 that this is what she was meant to do, because she had never been more content.

Why the name 'Side B'? Music is very important in Tania's life and she has something playing almost constantly while she creates new work. Side B is the flip-side of the record - the unexplored and neglected side that begs to be played. When you finally put the needle down, it is often a special tune full of pleasant surprises. Side B Design Studio is not afraid to take risks and always experiments with new materials and concepts.

"Festering" 30x24. Acrylic paint, sharpie, silver pen, on stretched canvas. Available for purchase - contact tclarke[at ]side-b.ca

Much of Tania's artwork has a touch of darkness and occasionally unsettling undertones, but this is contrasted with vivid, lively colours, textures and intriguing surreal imagery. She often invents strange flora and fauna in her paintings and drawings. Australian Aboriginal art has had a strong influence in her style, particularly the "dreaming" themed aboriginal works. Reality is not something you will see much of in Tania's work!

"Stricken" 18x24 Acrylic on canvasette with sharpie, felt tip pen, gold pen, yarn, feathers, oil pastel. Available for purchase- contact tclarke [at] side-b.ca

When Tania isn't making art, she practices cello, DJs electronic music, and goes outside to play in the forest just blocks away from her home.

Artist Profile: Kris G. Brownlee

A Little About Kris...
Painter, doodler and all-around maker of stuff, you'll usually find Kris G. Brownlee holed up in her studio (covered in paint) or curled up with her sketchbook. A wild k.g.b. spotting is rare, unless she's been dragged out for a walk by her pug, of course.

Kris creates small-scale character portraits that weigh heavily on the cute side with a storybook feel that can't help but pop off the canvas - just as they've sprung from her active imagination! Big soulful eyes are the k.g.b. trademark, though the vintage color palette she often employs and cute critter companions are strong trends.

After working in several different mediums ranging from photography to graphic design, Kris decided to focus exclusively on painting after moving to Vancouver in 2007. A voracious learner, she continues to take classes at Emily Carr University and attend workshops whenever she can. As a self-representing full time artist, her customers keep her busy as she packages up print orders from all over the US, Canada and Australia via her online shop.

Bee Girl
acrylic on canvas, 8" x 10"
original SOLD
prints available

For next month's "Home" show at Raw Canvas, Kris is delving into the literal and will be showcasing some of Vancouver's cutest sea life. Here's a sneak preview of her works for the show:


acrylic on wood
contact Raw Canvas for availability



Where You Can Find Her...
With initials like k.g.b., Kris couldn't resist playing it up, so her website, Twitter account and general online presence is "a Cagey Bee".

Official website & blog: www.aCageyBee.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/aCageyBee
Facebook: Kris Brownlee