Artist Statement & Bio
Artist Statement
I am inspired by my own backyard, and the often unrecognized moments of great beauty in each day. My artwork tends toward the emotive and ephemeral - frequently colour filled, with soft edges and curved lines. I find the point of intersection between abstraction and realism to be compelling territory, and am drawn to transition moments such a dawn, dusk, or a close-up view of the familiar, when it becomes strangely unfamiliar. Moments where there is a sense of mystery, perhaps otherworldliness. Thin places and liminal spaces.
I constantly turn to nature for inspiration. And the closer I look, the more blurred the line between realism and abstraction becomes: the shapes of logs on a beach, the negative spaces in a vine of sweet peas, the patterns in a bird’s feathers. It takes me a long time to find the right balance in a painting, with subtle changes making all the difference.
I work in multiple layers of varying thicknesses of paint. Rubbing out, spraying, scratching, layering. All leave evidence of the in-studio journey - until my paintings at times have an almost sculptural feel. The flexibility and quick drying time of acrylics make them a perfect fit for my process. And my daily visual photo journal is an endless source of reference material for my work.
I am exploring two recurring themes in my current work. The first, “The Ocean” (The Call of the Sea), reflects my lifelong connection to the ocean. Born and raised on the West Coast - from learning to row with my grandfather (a Newfoundlander and former sea captain), to living on a boat for a time - the seaside is never far from my heart. The second, “The Garden” (A Closer Look) combines my love of nature, from flora to fauna, with my interest in exploring the edge of abstraction.
I hope you enjoy my work. It is such a privilege to share it with you. - Shan
Shan Thomas, January 2023
Plein air painting in Victoria, BC, with Rowan. On rainy days, he sometimes prefers to observe from the warmth of the car haha.
Hello from a summer plein air day!
At the biennial Ladysmith Fine Arts Show, 2023, with “Sweet Sweet Peas” (sold). Show closes on February 25, 2023
Artist Bio
Shan can be found painting either en plein air or in her studio in Victoria, BC, accompanied by her Sheltie “Rowan” (who likes to be included in every photo!).
A former teacher and chartered accountant with a lifelong passion for painting, Shan turned to art full-time in 2010, starting with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She has had shows in Vancouver and Calgary, and recently returned to Victoria, where her show “Serendipity and Sea Changes” ran at Gallery Splash! in Esquimalt from Dec-Jan 2023. She is a former member of the Southern Alberta Art Alliance (SAAA), and currently paints regularly with “the Alfrescoes”, a local group of plein air painters.
Drawing on her teaching background, Shan has hosted paint-night sessions, and instructed workshops for residents in long term memory care. Her work, including commissions, is widely held in private, public and corporate collections.
A few photos from my recent show at Gallery Splash! in Esquimalt.
December 6, 2022 to January 3, 2023
Pricing Information
Pricing varies based on the size of the painting. Approximate rates are as follows:
up to 8” x 8” $2.75/sq in ($175)
up to 12” x 12” $2.25/sq in ($325)
up to 18” x 18” $2.00/sq in ($650)
up to 24” x 24” $1.75/sq in ($1,000)
up to 36” x 36” $1.50/sq in ($1,900)
up to 48” x 48” $1.25/sq in ($2,800)
over 48” square $1.00/sq in ($3,000 +)
Shipping is included in pricing for Canadian orders. Commission rates are similar plus a start-up fee.