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.