Tanja Rausch, a classically trained still-life artist, believes that beauty resides in the overlooked, the old, the broken, and the seemingly ugly. With a profound passion for breathing life into these unique artifacts, Tanja masterfully weaves their stories into her canvases. In a world that sometimes appears to be losing its meaning, Tanja Rausch’s art emerges as a powerful testament to the enduring beauty of the often neglected.
“I feel attracted to things that are overlooked, or seen as old, broken, or ugly by others,” Tanja explains. “These objects are unique to me and have character and a story to tell. They have a soul.”
For Tanja Rausch, art has been a lifelong journey, a ceaseless exploration of the aesthetic and the meaningful. Her artistic inclination began as a tiny toddler, her mind perpetually in a creative whirlwind. She would experiment with any medium that fell into her hands, crafting small doodles and sketching imaginative ideas. Years later, this passion evolved into a full-fledged profession. She spent nearly 25 years working as an illustrator, collaborating with renowned publishing houses and major corporations, including the iconic LEGO. However, as her career progressed, she sensed a void that couldn’t be filled by commercial art alone.
In her quest for greater artistic depth, Tanja embarked on a transformative journey. She began private tutelage under the guidance of a former student of the Grand Central Atelier in New York. This experience marked a turning point in her life, introducing her to a realm of aesthetics she had never explored before. Through the lens of an atelier-style painter, she started to perceive the intricate beauty of masterfully created oil paintings and developed an appreciation for the quality of materials, knowledge, and sheer effort invested in every work of art.
Among the artists that deeply influenced her during this period, Chilean painters Claudio Bravo and Guillermo Munoz Vera stood out. Their art left an indelible impression on Tanja, igniting her desire to become a professional still life artist. In their work, she found the magnificence hidden in patina, a layer of wear that may seem unsightly at first glance but, upon closer inspection, reveals a divine intricacy.
The essence of Tanja Rausch’s art lies in her ability to transform what might be deemed unsightly or mundane into extraordinary beauty. She possesses a unique skill for capturing the complexity and richness of color and texture, understanding that these elements hold a profound influence over our minds. Just as nature beckons us with its mysterious beauty, Tanja’s canvases extend a similar invitation, offering viewers a nurturing comfort. Her work serves as a reminder that when we gaze upon something created with great knowledge and skill, it provides us with something to aspire to. It sparks our desire to grow, both as individuals and as a society.
In an era where artificial intelligence continues to exert its influence and the quest for meaning sometimes feels elusive, the importance of preserving skills and knowledge from times long past becomes strikingly evident. The visual excellence and artistry of still life painting that Tanja Rausch embodies nourish our souls and remind us of our uniqueness as human beings. In the age of automation, her dedication to a craft that transcends technology and speaks to the heart is a precious gift.
Tanja Rausch’s work stands as a testimony to the enduring power of traditional art forms. Her meticulous still life compositions draw attention to the beauty that lies beneath the surface, just waiting to be uncovered. Each piece tells a story, a story of the forgotten, the abandoned, and the disregarded. It’s an artistry that transcends time and reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.
Her dedication to preserving and promoting the aesthetic values of traditional art resonates in her commitment to creating pieces of enduring beauty. In her hands, old, broken, and seemingly ugly objects are elevated to a status of unmatched elegance.
In her still life compositions, Tanja meticulously portrays the intricacies of everyday objects, elevating them to the status of art. Every nuance of color and texture is carefully examined and portrayed with precision. These objects, often worn and bearing the marks of time, are given a new life through Tanja’s work. They become symbols of resilience and endurance, embodying the beauty of imperfection.
Tanja’s work not only celebrates the aesthetic, but it also serves as a call to rekindle our connection with the past. It urges us to appreciate the craftsmanship and skills that have been honed over generations. In a world where technology and automation often threaten to overshadow the human touch, Tanja’s art is a reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit in creating beauty.
Through her art, Tanja Rausch encourages us to look beyond the surface, to seek out the stories and the soul of the objects that surround us. In doing so, she reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places, and that true artistry lies in the ability to uncover and appreciate the hidden gems in our world.
