From Prince Charles鈥� private art collection to the Alberta Legislature, Tessa Nunn鈥檚 art adorns some of the world鈥檚 most influential corridors of power.
It鈥檚 no surprise then that just like politics she believes art can also change the world.
鈥淢aking art feeds some part of us that is starved by the routines of everyday life. It makes us more perceptive and centred. To paint is to challenge the speed and greed of consumer culture. Ultimately, I see making pictures as a way of shouting out our radical ideas with silent colours,鈥� wrote Nunn in an email.聽
The Edmonton-based painter first discovered her hidden talent after taking a fine art course during her fourth year of pharmacology school at university.
After finishing her science degree, she jumped straight into a fine arts degree, followed by a masters degree in figurative art from the New York Academy of Art.
鈥淭here is real magic in the act of waving a brush back and forth on a canvas and, after a long while, one鈥檚 vision shines back,鈥� explained Nunn, who will be in Jasper to teach a three-day painting workshop starting April 29.
鈥淭he painted world has atmosphere, it holds the thoughts, the emotions, the smells, the flavours and the sounds of a time and place. I found the process cathartic and deeply satisfying. I actually was driven to continue learning about art processes so that I could pass my excitement on to others... even back then, I felt that art could change the world.鈥�
The surrealist painter is well known for her nude paintings and describes herself as a storyteller.
鈥淚 use shape, line and symbol in order to trigger memory, and I use colour to stimulate emotion. My narratives are never fixed, and there are many ways to read my pictures.鈥澛�
In addition to teaching her students about the technique of painting portraits, she also incorporates yoga movements and breathing techniques into her lessons.
鈥淲hen we come to an art session (a class or alone in our studio), we arrive with a chorus of voices in our heads. When we bring awareness to our breath, it helps clear the mind, and when we move and stretch the body it opens us to creative ideas,鈥� said Nunn.
The three-day workshop begins April 29 at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion and costs $350. For those interested in participating only on Saturday or Sunday, the workshop costs $150. Art supplies are available through Nunn for a small fee.
For more information, visit the Facebook event: Portrait Workshop with Tessa Nunn or email [email protected].
Paul Clarke [email protected]
