Tanya Kirouac was born in Montreal where she studied Applied Arts.  After working as an Art Director and Graphic Designer for over 18 years she re-introduced herself to the Fine Arts through classes at the AGO and Toronto School of Art.    Tanya is deeply rooted in the visual language of landscapes and the natural world.  “I am constantly taken aback by the incredible skies the country offers.” 

 

Her current medium is encaustic painting, which was first used by the Egyptians, also known as hot wax painting, involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid/paste is then applied to a surface such as canvas and other materials are often used.  Because wax is used as the pigment binder, encaustics can be sculpted as well as painted.  Other materials can be encased or collaged into the surface, or layered, using the encaustic medium to adhere it to the surface. Using Encaustic medium allows Tanya to develop complex images in relief; similar to the way nature builds up and washes away what it creates she applies and removes layers of wax.

 

Most days she can be found in her studio in the east end of Toronto exploring the modern possibilities of this ancient medium. 

 

Exhibitions

 

2008     Lost Gardens and Forgotten places, Wallspace, Ottawa, ON

            Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto ON

2007     Affair of the Mind, Leonardo Galleries, Toronto ON

            Prince Edward County Studio Tour, Picton, ON

            Art in the Country, PEC Arts Council, Picton, ON

2006     Across the Sky, Hangman Gallery, Toronto ON

            D’Vine Holiday Group Show, Covent Garden, Wellington ON

            Home & Style Studio Tour, Toronto ON

            Queen West Art Craw, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto ON

            Art in the Country, PEC Arts Council, Picton ON

            Was Works, Galerie Sandra Goldie, Montreal QC

2005     Surfacing, Galerie Bertossini, Toronto, ON

            Give a Little Bit, Gardner Douglas Space, Toronto ON

            Elements, Lennox Contemporary, Toronto, ON

            Blue, Eastern Front Gallery, Toronto ON

 

Publications

 

Canadian House & Home, ”Makeover of the Month”, October 2008

Watershed Magazine, “Artist Profile”, Summer 2008

Prince Edward Country Magazine, Cover Image, Spring 2008

The Designer Guys lll, Featured Artwork-Television, March 2008

TFO/PANORAMA, Feature Interview, Francophone Television, November 2005

CBC Radio/ Art Report- Interview, Francophone Radio, November 2005

City TV/ Breakfast Television- Interview for RAW 2003, May 2003