Tara Hovanes was born and raised in the South Okanagan Area of British Columbia, Canada, and that’s where she still lives – surrounded by the vibrancy of the area and inspired by the true beauty of a small colourful farming community.

Tara paints abstract, contemporary art, and often is asked, “What is abstract art?”

“No earthly images or discernible shapes are evident,” she explains, adding such an artist expresses herself with no obvious imagery.

“They express with paint strokes, texture, movement, shape and colour. Abstract art should take the viewer outside of them self, it has no boundaries and no rules. It asks the viewer, ‘What does it represent to you, how does it make you feel?'”

“It’s all about whatever is happening in my life at that moment and how I’m feeling. It is a form of expression that I find very fulfilling and rewarding. A release that is very powerful and it always amazes me when a viewer feels/sees exactly what I was feeling when I was creating that piece. It’s very moving for me and the viewer. That’s exciting, it’s communication at its best!”

“I never have a plan, I paint alone, and I don’t want any outside influence. Cats are okay.”

“I use colour and texture to deliver a message and create a mood or to express my feelings and my thoughts. The subject is decided by the viewer and it’s expressed at that moment. Painting is always a new experience, it’s about discovery, development and growth. It’s organic.”

“The bigger the better when it comes to canvas, I am more at home and relaxed on a larger canvas. , it’s a messy process and there are no rules. I rarely use a brush, my tools of choice are palate and putty knives, kitchen utensils like spatulas, sometimes sticks and pieces of wood, whatever presents its self at the time.”

“There is a moment when I lose myself and the painting takes over, it’s a journey, a road. Unexpected images develop and the painting takes form, each painting has a story. Some stories are public and others, I will leave up to the viewer but the emotion is always evident.”