Artist Statement

“Keep it simple”.

Eva Marie Tanner-Klaas' Biography

I studied 3 dimensional art by working in stone and clay as a student and teacher’s assistant at Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, California. I went to college and declared my major Mathematics, graduated and worked in the computer field for 17 years.

As a stress reliever, I started drawing and watercolor classes with Audi Stanton in 1994.  I took additional classes and workshops with well known instructors such as Jan Kunz and Charles Reid. I also had a semester with ceramicist, Ann LaCaze, and expanded  my art to working with clay.

In 2002,  I  settled down on the Oregon coast with my husband and cats where I sold original work, prints, handmade clocks, and pottery work in local galleries.  I  have demonstrated watercolor and raku at local art events.

Wanting to move in a new direction with my art, I learned to throw pottery from Northern California potter, David Bradley.  Then, in 2009, I started studying at the School of Light and Color in Fair Oaks, CA with Susan Sarback to learn how to paint using Susan’s unique approach to color.  To improve my art skills, I  study  figure, landscape, portrait and advanced painting with other art instructors including Terry Miura, Debbie Gualco and Randy Blasquez.

I have won numerous awards and have sold my art and pottery all over the United States.

Awards:

*       2007 – Azalea Festival – “For the Birds Bowl”
Award:  Honorable Mention
Medium: Clay and colorful glazes
Subject: Free form bowl with red birds

*    2005 – Azalea Festival – “Vessel From the Sea”
Award: First Place
Medium: B-mix clay fired with a pacman raku glaze, bull kelp and artificial sinew
Subject: Free form raku  vessel with bull kelp handle

*       2003 – Azalea Festival – “Warts & All”
Award: Third Place
Medium: B-mix Clay fired with a Red Oxide Stain and Snow Flake Glaze
Subject: Sculpted Smiling Man’s Face  Covered with White Raised Warts

*       2002 – Azalea Festival – “Springtime”
Award: Third Place
Medium: Watercolor and graphite on 90 lb. watercolor paper
Subject: Siamese cat in meadow.

*        2002 – Azalea Festival – “Old Man in the Sea”
Award: Third Place
Medium:  White ball clay fired with pacman raku glaze
Subject: Elderly man sculpted with kelp around his head

*        2001 – California Art s League, “Oscar”
Award: Honorable Mention
Medium: Acrylic on canvas board
Subject: Cat sleeping on a calico quilt.

*       1999 - Elk Grove Western Show, "Cowgirl"
Award: Honorable Mention
Medium: Pastel on suede board
Subject: A 2 year old cowgirl with hat on a hobby horse

*        1998 - SFAC– “Food of the Fat Gods”
Award: Third Place
Medium: Watercolor and graphite on 300 lb. rough watercolor paper
Subject: Hotdogs, olives and fries on a plate

*       1998 – Elk Grove Western Festival, "Danny, What a Hat Full!"
Award: First Place
Medium: Watercolor and graphite on 300lb. rough watercolor paper
Subject: Portrait of my two year old nephew, Danny, wearing an over sized hat.

*       1998 - Elk Grove Western Show, "Meow-se"
Award: Second Place
Medium: Watercolor and graphite on 300 lb. rough watercolor paper
Subject: My big, orange cat's first encounter with a small, gray mouse.

*       1997 - Elk Grove Western Show, "My Little Cowboy"
Award: Best in Category
Medium: Watercolor and graphite on 300 lb. watercolor paper
Subject: Portrait of my four year old son wearing a cowboy hat and beige sweater

*       1997 - Elk Grove Western Show, "Cat on Quilt"
Award: Honorable Mention
Medium: Pastel on blue paper smooth side
Subject: My big, orange cat on an antique quilt

Memberships:

·        2013/Current - California Art Club 

       2012/ Current - Oregon Plein Air Society

       2010/Current - Sacrament Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA

      2002/Current – Manley Art Association, Brookings, Oregon

·       2002/Current – Harbor Gallery, Crescent City, California

·       1997/01 – Northern California Art League, Sacramento, California

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