MY ART IS
I strive to view the world through a child-like lens — full of color, whimsy and honesty. For my entire career I have often juxtaposed kid-like drawings with “realistic” images, while occasionally adding a few written lines of “kid thought”. Other paintings have a more storybook feel. They still borrow from a whimsical, even child-like view, but are more inform in approach. In all of the above I try to paint loosely and full of energy.
TAKE A LOOK
My work can be found in children’s hospitals, schools, churches, businesses and many private collections. Here is a sampling.
Happy Hippos
Acrylic on canvas
This was a breakthrough painting for me. It may sound odd, but the Big Discovery was to take into account the background. I have found a new joy in painting as I play with the color, texture, patterns, etc. in the backgrounds of my work.
Perficter
Giclee
n the begining, God terned on the lites. Then God made the erth and water and plants and aminals and birds and fishes and creepy crawlees. God's world was perfict. Then God made peeple. And it was perficter. Cuz it's nice to have someone to share with.
Father Abraham
Giclee
Cuvanent is a fancy Bible word for promiss. God cuvanented Abraham his famly would be stars in the sky BIG even tho Abraham was an old guy with no kids. God had a plan to fix the world and let peeple help! And God keeps his promisses so Father Abraham had many sons hand many sons - and that's what it's all about.
Pa-salm 23
Giclee
The Lord is my sheperd. And sheperds always take care of their sheep. They get you water and lay down with you for naps. They hold your hoof when you walk in scary shadowy places or across the street. Pretty much Super Moms with beerds.
YES, I DO COMMISSIONS!
I often paint for families, churches and children’s hospitals. Sometimes I work directly with a child to create a piece of art. Commissions start at $1500.
The process of working with me on a commission piece looks like this:
- I will ask you a series of questions that include, medium, size, style (“kid-like” or “serious”) and theme. This can happen on the phone, in person or through email.
- I will write out a description of the piece, and when applicable provide at least two phrases when text is being incorporated in the painting (the whimsical kid-like bits).
- I will edit when needed, and then after final approval of the concept will paint! It’s as easy as that.
Jack
Watercolor and ink for a home
This was a commission for a kid’s room named — can you guess? There are many fun ways to customize a painting for a specific person.
Wilderness Guide
Acrylic on canvas for a financial planner
This was a commission for a financial management firm. They loaded me up with tools they use (like charts and diagrams) and we threw ideas around until I landed on this idea that their job is to guide their clients through the financial wilderness past the bears and to the bulls.
Octopus Harts
Acrylic on wood for the Detroit Children’s Hospital
This is one in a series for the new cardiac wing at DCH. It’s great to get to brighten the lives of kids. Here’s a very flattering (borderline embarrassing!) description by Grace Serra, the Art Advisor for Children’s Hospital of Michigan, about my work for them.
Gallery Representation
Armstrong DeGraaf International Fine Art www.adgifa.com
403 Water St, Saugatuck, MI 49453
269.857.1882
Armstrong DeGraaf has an impressive collection of artists from all around the world (hence the “International” bit). If you want to find challenging but accessible and beautiful work, head over there. They will be happy to sell you a Joel Schoon Tanis original too!
Uptown Gallery & Frame Shop www.uptown-gallery.com
56 E Lakewood Blvd #60, Holland, MI 49424
616.392.4756
Prints are available at Uptown Gallery & Frame Shop in Holland, Michigan.
