Painter Tan-Yah Jackson shares her artist journey and presents a collection of vivid landscapes. See more of her portfolio on her website.
“Awaken the Dawn” acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 30″ x 24″
I’m a landscape artist with a studio in Oklahoma. I was born and raised in South Africa and moved to the United States in 2015.
“Dancing Light” acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 24″ x 30″
I completed my studies in Fine Art in 2000. My third year of studies was especially significant and led me to base my body of work upon the concept of identity and the many layers of life given to us through past experiences. I explored how family dynamics influence who we are and how we mirror this back to the world. But when we pull away from these taught family concepts and become our own person, we are then able to create our own identity.
“Covenant Echo” acrylic and oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″
This concept that different layers make up human identity followed me throughout my life and into my art. Identity is often not about what we need to learn about ourselves, but rather what we must unlearn.
“Dazzling Darkness” acrylic and oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″
In life, people tend to get rid of the layers that are not really who they are. In art, we cover over the layers that don’t fit and pull out the areas that do work. My art consists of many layers of color, textures, splashes, and paint strokes. Immersing myself in each layer of paint, I discover a new part of who I am.
“Dripping Light” acrylic on canvas, 16″ x 30″
Some layers I paint and dislike. I must push through those layers, and work on them until I discover the beauty in the layers that don’t seem to fit. As I dive deeper, I reach a moment of enlightenment, knowing where the artwork leads me, the path of clarity. Working on it until it all forms a cohesive painting.
“Inside Out” acrylic and oil on canvas, 60″ x 48″
A couple of years ago, I discovered that my lack of awareness caused me to create from a false belief. My art stopped being about my journey, experiences, and life encounters and became about what would sell, who would like it, or who would buy it.
“Contrast in Gold No. 1″ oil on canvas, 24″ x 12”
If my objective is to create artwork that people will like, I am in essence denying myself. If I create only to sell, my art will have no life and the sound of the canvas will be like an untuned orchestra. Because how do I truly know another person or create from their reality? So, I stopped knowing myself while still creating art. I had very little success, producing art from a place of performance, lack, and insecurity.
“Glory Over the Water” acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 36″ x 36″
Once I became aware of this truth, my art started shifting and I enjoyed the process of creating again. My artwork told my story and I owned my voice as an artist—the good, the bad, the right, the wrong, the mistakes, as well as the best choices. Every day has become a discovery within me and my art.
“Many Voices Over the Waters” acrylic and oil on canvas, 20″ x 16″
Some parts of who I am is recognizable such as the landscapes I paint. Other parts of me can be concealed, in the same way as the dreamscapes—all diverse, mysterious, and multi-faceted, like me.
Tan-Yah Jackson invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Beautiful! Creating from the inside out. From your true Identity.
Thank you Charlene.
Beautiful heart and work
I love the way Tan-Yah uses light in her paintings. Each one of her paintings is an invitation for me to go deeper within. Very inspiring and soothing at the same time.
Thank you Tanyah for telling your story behind the art. I’m so grateful you have found you to share with the world. I love your paintings, they give life.
Beautiful. Contrast in Gold feeeels like beautiy in contrasts and is a great reflection of how ppl can be, beautifully diverse in self, in culture, in societies, etc. I can feel your story in these paintings. Well done!
Absolutely incredible to see the layers of me in these expressions of a journey to self awareness. I can now look at experiences in my life that were not so good and see how I use them to rise to the light and reflect beautiful colors of an authentic me. Layers of me growing deeper, creating and releasing me. I am honored my friend to see these beautiful expressions come to life.
Beautiful colors that evoke an emotional response.
The authentic-mystery in you is perfectly unique and yet that’s what makes you so relatable. Thank you for being unabashedly you and inspiring others to do the same.
Such vibrant colors. I love these and was especially drawn to Contrast in Gold.
Wow to Tan Yah Jackson’s art. Very well done.
Ahhh, I love this! I love your perspective on layers and how you interact with them. Thank you for sharing your beautiful art.
Wow! The mood each painting reveals is astounding! The use of color and light and darkness draws out emotions within me! Simply beautiful!
I have been following Tan-Yah’s art, and I love the way how she is able to express her uniqueness, identity and creativity in the textures and colors she uses. I love how each painting is expressing it’s own mood and echoes a different voice. The paintings are vibrant and carry a unique frequency and emotion. I love her art!
These are stunning!
I love all of these paintings they are so expressive and anointed. If we create to express our story comes to life. So blessed to have one of Tan-Yah original paintings in my home it’s my favorite.
Beautiful. Wonderful colors and the art is calming to the soul.