April Featured Artist - Taren de St Croix

April’s Featured Artist is Taren de St Croix, a mixed media abstract artist from Brantford. Born in Sydney, Australia, Taren moved to Brantford with her family in 1972. She completed her degree in Fine Art at the University of Guelph and now owns and operates her own online gallery, Taren Rebecca Fine Art. She began painting abstract paintings with acrylics in 2016 and is best known for her bright colours and engaging movement through textures and shapes.

Growing up surrounded by artists, Taren was inspired from a very young age. Her family and teachers strongly encouraged her creative pursuits and she was drawn to texture, colour and shape. As a child, Taren spent her summers in England with her grandparents. “They took me on weekly painting excursions where they would set up stools and easels at the side of the road and we would paint landscapes with oil paints,” she shares. “This is a cherished childhood memory for me and one that greatly influenced me in the arts.”

Spending many hours in her mother’s studio, watching her paint with watercolours and experimenting with inks and wax, Taren was greatly inspired. Her talented mother also diversified her art business by working on commissions of flowers, portraits and pen and inks of Brantford homes. Much like her mom, Taren’s painting has evolved over the years. At the University of Guelph, Taren spent most of her studio time sculpting and attending lectures in the history of the great modern masters. She then exhibited in galleries across Canada and in the US. Now, her work is sold online from her online gallery and ships internationally. “It’s an exciting time for artists, and the internet gives us an enormous opportunity to reach people all over the world,” adds Taren. “My work has grown to include paintings, downloadable prints as well as a stationery line including journals."

Taren’s current series is “Joy,” which is an expression of joy, peace, love and hope. Her intent with these pieces is to provoke those feelings in other viewers. Her choice of colour, texture and shape is to engage and share what is in her heart and painting this series has allowed her to capture these feelings and express them on canvas. Taren adds, “I am encouraged greatly in my faith, and that influences all of my work. I hope to create a work that emits that unconditional love and joy that is present and share it.”

Taren chooses from a selection of high quality acrylics, but loves to experiment with different tools, brands and see how the different paints flow. Her favourite tool of the trade is not an expensive brush, but oddly a bakers icing knife! She explains that she still considers herself a developing artist and always will be. Her tip for other aspiring artists is to “keep working hard. Develop your talent and skills; it’s a process. Take time to paint daily, even if that means getting up 20 minutes early to fit it in before the day gets away. It’s so important to be disciplined in your approach.” This is great advice, not just for artists, but for anyone: make time for the things you are passionate about.

When asked what she enjoys most about her creative projects, Taren shares that the opportunity to create and share her work is most enjoyable. She explains, “Nothing is more enjoyable than when someone engages with a piece, and tells me it speaks to their heart. Sharing that love and joy is my purpose.”

Taren enjoys that Brantford still maintains the feeling of a small town and supportive community, even as it grows in size. She is inspired by many local artists for their talents as well as their friendship and support. She adds, “We have a lovely arts community in Brantford. I appreciate the local galleries and artists who mentor us and encourage anyone looking to start showing their art to visit a local gallery and talk to the owner.”

To view Taren’s work and shop online visit her website at www.tarenrebeccafineart.com or follow her on Instagram and Etsy.