August 22, 2024
Tanner Gallery & Studio is an original art gallery and artist studio featuring creative works by Tanner. Since opening the gallery in 2010, Tanner’s paintings have become some of the most popular art in the region. His unconventional approach to painting creates a spellbinding illusion of depth that pulls viewers in.
Tanner grew up in the small town of Semmes, Alabama. Many of his early memories find him with a sketchbook in the dense woods of the region. The haunting embrace of dark trees and jewel-colored Southern skies provided the young artist with a welcome escape from the threats of a less-than-perfect childhood. "I didn't really fit in," he said, "I got picked on at school a lot, and I was really skinny. I would always imagine a place that was safe for me but kind of scary so my enemies wouldn't follow me. I think that's why my paintings have that peaceful feeling to them, but a little eeriness at the same time. I never could wait to get home and go out into our pasture for hours until it got dark and just lay on the ground and look at the trees. It was the only place I could find peace." The sanctuary and safe haven provided by that Alabama wilderness has inspired Tanner throughout his life and still does to this day. In fact, he has found his mark by calling on his past. With his mind's eye he would “photograph” a place that no one else could see. Until now. Tanner is no longer near that peaceful, private place where he found security as a child. He no longer has to go there because he carries it with him every day.
As a young adult, Tanner relocated to New Orleans to attend the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. He studied primarily under the academy's founder, world-renowned artist Auseklis Ozols, receiving additional instruction from various internationally known artists including Adrian Deckbar, Katalin Gergo, Darrell Brown and Jean Cassels.
After graduating from the art academy, Tanner remained in New Orleans where he paid his dues selling his creations to locals and tourists alike in Jackson Square. During this time, he experimented with a variety of styles and subject matter including mixed media, portraiture, still-life and body-painting. He knew he'd found his niche when he began painting haunting landscapes of the woods of his youth. Collectors were drawn to Tanner’s haunting treescapes, and before long he was off the streets and into his own gallery.
These days, Tanner can be found painting in the quiet calm of his Royal Street gallery. His studio is a serene space where enchanting works echo the memories of those eerily comforting woods. Once the dark silhouettes of looming trees provided Tanner’s escape, but today the same woods are a delicately rendered symbol of a sacred inner-sanctuary cultivated as respite from a society that is increasingly out of tune with the natural sensibilities of our world.
Tanner muses, "If my art makes someone forget their troubles, even for a moment, I feel like I've accomplished my goal. I feel strongly that many of our problems today are a result of us not being in nature anymore. We're surrounded by concrete, asphalt and plastic, which I believe unknowingly causes us a great deal of stress. It is my hope that my paintings will give the viewer a small sense of that tranquility nature provides us, and remind people how vital trees are to our existence."
Further, Tanner adds, “I use painting as a means to get away. Many of my collectors tell me they escape through my paintings as well. One of my goals is to draw the viewer in. I begin this process by first sitting quietly and imagining a place in my mind. I ‘build’ this place in my head, deciding colors, mood and the placement of the trees or other objects. Once I can see this image clearly, my challenge is to transpose this mental picture onto canvas. Other times I just sit down and begin painting, having absolutely no idea what the end result will be. I enjoy getting caught up in the details … such as painting tiny individual tree branches. Although I’d like to take more credit for their creation, I normally feel as if I am merely a channeler. The places I imagine usually have a very still, calm atmosphere; however, I have noticed these ‘places’ also are a little unsettling at the same time. I have come to realize that I imagine these places this way to keep my troubles from following me."
Tanner’s Visionary Landscapes are his signature style, featuring soft, subtle tones paired with realistic detail and the striking silhouettes of old growth forests. Many of the compositions in this series include a special something hidden within the thick, black trees. Tanner’s signature style is known for the meticulously detailed tangles of branches and elegantly draped Spanish moss in silhouette against ethereal, jewel-toned landscapes. His expert use of color captures the glow of light filtered through mist and fog. His work reflects a fascination with atmospheric light and the effect it has on color and form. The interplay of color and contrast brings a strong feeling of depth and allows each image to change dynamically as natural light changes throughout the day.
At 66 by 40 inches, Emerald Bayou is the largest piece in Tanner’s Visionary Landscape Series. Three wise cypress trees hold court in the black foreground, their slim fingers reaching out from under patches of elegant Spanish moss. A lush forest hides beyond the black, protected from all but the most curious eyes, sprawling infinitely into the blue-green mist. Radiant ferns and intricate blades of grass give way to natural symmetry reflected in still water. The dense fog dissipates, leaving a clearer view toward a mysterious horizon.
"The Departure Series" is a captivating collection that marks a significant evolution from the artist's signature silhouetted trees. With a bold foray into abstraction, this series weaves a tapestry of organic shapes and gentle hues, creating a narrative that is both individual and interconnected. Each piece serves as a chapter in a larger story, exploring themes of home, movement, nature, and contemplation. The series employs a softer palette, eschewing stark contrasts for a blend of overlapping forms that invite the viewer to look deeper and find hidden details within … a bird, a branch, a whisper of the wind. The result is a cohesive exploration of tranquility, subtlety, and the spaces between the known and the imagined, offering a reflective journey through color and form. The Autumn variants in this series feature the warm tones of harvest season that makes one almost hear the rustle of fallen leaves.
Tanner began exploring more abstract versions of his signature tree silhouettes in a creative burst beginning in October 2020. Pieces in this Designer Series tend to venture into the realm of Modern Contemporary and each piece incorporates a variety of interesting textures, shapes and colors. Collectors embraced Tanner’s Designer Series and the original works have moved quickly from his easel into homes across the country. The art community is excited to see the next addition to this unique style. It’s a compelling foray into the realm of abstraction, where the focus is on the intrinsic elements of design—form, color and texture—rather than the depiction of tangible scenes. This series represents a creative playground where conventional boundaries are blurred, and each canvas becomes an exploration of aesthetic principles. Tanner employs a more liberated brushstroke, a vibrant and often unexpected color palette and a rich interplay of textures that challenge the viewer's perception. The result is a collection of paintings that invite introspection and curiosity, urging the audience to interpret the visual language on their own terms. The abstract nature of these pieces allows for a personal dialogue between the artwork and its beholder, making each encounter with the Designer Series a unique and intimate experience.
The "Nocturnus Series" stands as a captivating exploration of darkness and subtlety, embodying a quiet intensity through the interplay of shades, tints and sheens of black-on-black paint. Each piece invites the viewer into a nocturnal world where the nuanced textures of darkness are the forefront of visual experience. With selective use of mica or metallic paint, splashes of color occasionally break the monochrome to highlight elements of the natural world like the moon's gentle glow or the silent presence of a crow. This collection, although varied in its depiction of nighttime motifs, maintains a thematic unity, emphasizing the allure and depth of darkness and its profound ability to draw out contemplative tranquility.
Using his expertise in color theory and firm understanding of paint chemistry, Tanner developed a style of flow painting using oil-based paints on wood panel or canvas. This Abstract Series includes diptych and triptych sets as well as many unique pieces created to stand alone. Tanner decided not to reproduce any of the work in this collection so each piece stands as the only one of its kind. This series represents Tanner's profound journey into the abstract realm, marking a significant pivot from his signature silhouetted trees. Each piece within the collection stands as a testament to the raw and uncharted territories of artistic expression. The series delves into the essence of emotion and the metaphysical, employing a bold palette and dynamic forms to explore the relationship between nature and the intangible. Through these works, Tanner challenges the observer to find order in chaos, meaning in the undefined and personal resonance within the universal.
His "Halloween Miniatures" series is a captivating collection of thirteen 4-by-4-inch canvases, each one a portal to the quaint and curious side of Halloween. Tanner's use of silhouetted figures such as a watchful crow, an upside-down bat and a stealthy cat against backgrounds of traditional Halloween orange, eerie greens and midnight blues captures the essence of the season. The inclusion of a haunted house, with its windows aglow with mysterious light, and a spider poised on its delicate web, adds to the storytelling charm of the series. A small mouse, perhaps the most unassuming of Halloween creatures makes a cameo, reminding us that size is no measure of impact in art. Each boldly framed piece stands as a testament to the holiday's iconic imagery, inviting smiles and a touch of the nocturnal wonder that defines Halloween.
Tanner’s Gallery & Studio is consistently rated among the top five galleries in New Orleans. His original paintings have become quite collectible. They often sell straight from the easel before they are finished. There is currently a waiting list for custom paintings and the list has continued to grow with each passing year. Tanner truly welcomes collectors who wish to have him create artwork that uniquely reflects their personality. With a custom painting, clients are encouraged to provide input on the color palette and content of the painting. The gallery also offers limited edition giclée reproductions of a variety of Tanner’s paintings. Swing by his gallery at 830 Royal St. in September from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) where you will be greeted by his dog, Loretta. Tanner Gallery & Studio is excited to move to a fabulous new location at 623 Royal Street on October 1st. Stroll through the peaceful sanctuary with Tanner and Loretta to find your own tranquility among the many trees.
Tanner grew up in the small town of Semmes, Alabama. Many of his early memories find him with a sketchbook in the dense woods of the region. The haunting embrace of dark trees and jewel-colored Southern skies provided the young artist with a welcome escape from the threats of a less-than-perfect childhood. "I didn't really fit in," he said, "I got picked on at school a lot, and I was really skinny. I would always imagine a place that was safe for me but kind of scary so my enemies wouldn't follow me. I think that's why my paintings have that peaceful feeling to them, but a little eeriness at the same time. I never could wait to get home and go out into our pasture for hours until it got dark and just lay on the ground and look at the trees. It was the only place I could find peace." The sanctuary and safe haven provided by that Alabama wilderness has inspired Tanner throughout his life and still does to this day. In fact, he has found his mark by calling on his past. With his mind's eye he would “photograph” a place that no one else could see. Until now. Tanner is no longer near that peaceful, private place where he found security as a child. He no longer has to go there because he carries it with him every day.
As a young adult, Tanner relocated to New Orleans to attend the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art. He studied primarily under the academy's founder, world-renowned artist Auseklis Ozols, receiving additional instruction from various internationally known artists including Adrian Deckbar, Katalin Gergo, Darrell Brown and Jean Cassels.
After graduating from the art academy, Tanner remained in New Orleans where he paid his dues selling his creations to locals and tourists alike in Jackson Square. During this time, he experimented with a variety of styles and subject matter including mixed media, portraiture, still-life and body-painting. He knew he'd found his niche when he began painting haunting landscapes of the woods of his youth. Collectors were drawn to Tanner’s haunting treescapes, and before long he was off the streets and into his own gallery.
These days, Tanner can be found painting in the quiet calm of his Royal Street gallery. His studio is a serene space where enchanting works echo the memories of those eerily comforting woods. Once the dark silhouettes of looming trees provided Tanner’s escape, but today the same woods are a delicately rendered symbol of a sacred inner-sanctuary cultivated as respite from a society that is increasingly out of tune with the natural sensibilities of our world.
Tanner muses, "If my art makes someone forget their troubles, even for a moment, I feel like I've accomplished my goal. I feel strongly that many of our problems today are a result of us not being in nature anymore. We're surrounded by concrete, asphalt and plastic, which I believe unknowingly causes us a great deal of stress. It is my hope that my paintings will give the viewer a small sense of that tranquility nature provides us, and remind people how vital trees are to our existence."
Further, Tanner adds, “I use painting as a means to get away. Many of my collectors tell me they escape through my paintings as well. One of my goals is to draw the viewer in. I begin this process by first sitting quietly and imagining a place in my mind. I ‘build’ this place in my head, deciding colors, mood and the placement of the trees or other objects. Once I can see this image clearly, my challenge is to transpose this mental picture onto canvas. Other times I just sit down and begin painting, having absolutely no idea what the end result will be. I enjoy getting caught up in the details … such as painting tiny individual tree branches. Although I’d like to take more credit for their creation, I normally feel as if I am merely a channeler. The places I imagine usually have a very still, calm atmosphere; however, I have noticed these ‘places’ also are a little unsettling at the same time. I have come to realize that I imagine these places this way to keep my troubles from following me."
Tanner’s Visionary Landscapes are his signature style, featuring soft, subtle tones paired with realistic detail and the striking silhouettes of old growth forests. Many of the compositions in this series include a special something hidden within the thick, black trees. Tanner’s signature style is known for the meticulously detailed tangles of branches and elegantly draped Spanish moss in silhouette against ethereal, jewel-toned landscapes. His expert use of color captures the glow of light filtered through mist and fog. His work reflects a fascination with atmospheric light and the effect it has on color and form. The interplay of color and contrast brings a strong feeling of depth and allows each image to change dynamically as natural light changes throughout the day.
At 66 by 40 inches, Emerald Bayou is the largest piece in Tanner’s Visionary Landscape Series. Three wise cypress trees hold court in the black foreground, their slim fingers reaching out from under patches of elegant Spanish moss. A lush forest hides beyond the black, protected from all but the most curious eyes, sprawling infinitely into the blue-green mist. Radiant ferns and intricate blades of grass give way to natural symmetry reflected in still water. The dense fog dissipates, leaving a clearer view toward a mysterious horizon.
"The Departure Series" is a captivating collection that marks a significant evolution from the artist's signature silhouetted trees. With a bold foray into abstraction, this series weaves a tapestry of organic shapes and gentle hues, creating a narrative that is both individual and interconnected. Each piece serves as a chapter in a larger story, exploring themes of home, movement, nature, and contemplation. The series employs a softer palette, eschewing stark contrasts for a blend of overlapping forms that invite the viewer to look deeper and find hidden details within … a bird, a branch, a whisper of the wind. The result is a cohesive exploration of tranquility, subtlety, and the spaces between the known and the imagined, offering a reflective journey through color and form. The Autumn variants in this series feature the warm tones of harvest season that makes one almost hear the rustle of fallen leaves.
Tanner began exploring more abstract versions of his signature tree silhouettes in a creative burst beginning in October 2020. Pieces in this Designer Series tend to venture into the realm of Modern Contemporary and each piece incorporates a variety of interesting textures, shapes and colors. Collectors embraced Tanner’s Designer Series and the original works have moved quickly from his easel into homes across the country. The art community is excited to see the next addition to this unique style. It’s a compelling foray into the realm of abstraction, where the focus is on the intrinsic elements of design—form, color and texture—rather than the depiction of tangible scenes. This series represents a creative playground where conventional boundaries are blurred, and each canvas becomes an exploration of aesthetic principles. Tanner employs a more liberated brushstroke, a vibrant and often unexpected color palette and a rich interplay of textures that challenge the viewer's perception. The result is a collection of paintings that invite introspection and curiosity, urging the audience to interpret the visual language on their own terms. The abstract nature of these pieces allows for a personal dialogue between the artwork and its beholder, making each encounter with the Designer Series a unique and intimate experience.
The "Nocturnus Series" stands as a captivating exploration of darkness and subtlety, embodying a quiet intensity through the interplay of shades, tints and sheens of black-on-black paint. Each piece invites the viewer into a nocturnal world where the nuanced textures of darkness are the forefront of visual experience. With selective use of mica or metallic paint, splashes of color occasionally break the monochrome to highlight elements of the natural world like the moon's gentle glow or the silent presence of a crow. This collection, although varied in its depiction of nighttime motifs, maintains a thematic unity, emphasizing the allure and depth of darkness and its profound ability to draw out contemplative tranquility.
Using his expertise in color theory and firm understanding of paint chemistry, Tanner developed a style of flow painting using oil-based paints on wood panel or canvas. This Abstract Series includes diptych and triptych sets as well as many unique pieces created to stand alone. Tanner decided not to reproduce any of the work in this collection so each piece stands as the only one of its kind. This series represents Tanner's profound journey into the abstract realm, marking a significant pivot from his signature silhouetted trees. Each piece within the collection stands as a testament to the raw and uncharted territories of artistic expression. The series delves into the essence of emotion and the metaphysical, employing a bold palette and dynamic forms to explore the relationship between nature and the intangible. Through these works, Tanner challenges the observer to find order in chaos, meaning in the undefined and personal resonance within the universal.
His "Halloween Miniatures" series is a captivating collection of thirteen 4-by-4-inch canvases, each one a portal to the quaint and curious side of Halloween. Tanner's use of silhouetted figures such as a watchful crow, an upside-down bat and a stealthy cat against backgrounds of traditional Halloween orange, eerie greens and midnight blues captures the essence of the season. The inclusion of a haunted house, with its windows aglow with mysterious light, and a spider poised on its delicate web, adds to the storytelling charm of the series. A small mouse, perhaps the most unassuming of Halloween creatures makes a cameo, reminding us that size is no measure of impact in art. Each boldly framed piece stands as a testament to the holiday's iconic imagery, inviting smiles and a touch of the nocturnal wonder that defines Halloween.
Tanner’s Gallery & Studio is consistently rated among the top five galleries in New Orleans. His original paintings have become quite collectible. They often sell straight from the easel before they are finished. There is currently a waiting list for custom paintings and the list has continued to grow with each passing year. Tanner truly welcomes collectors who wish to have him create artwork that uniquely reflects their personality. With a custom painting, clients are encouraged to provide input on the color palette and content of the painting. The gallery also offers limited edition giclée reproductions of a variety of Tanner’s paintings. Swing by his gallery at 830 Royal St. in September from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) where you will be greeted by his dog, Loretta. Tanner Gallery & Studio is excited to move to a fabulous new location at 623 Royal Street on October 1st. Stroll through the peaceful sanctuary with Tanner and Loretta to find your own tranquility among the many trees.
