Friday Art Feature – Deanna Bach-Talsma

Deanna Bach-Talsma

Kindreds – Chickadee by Deanna Bach-Talsma

I started painting wildlife in oil paint, and then acrylic many years ago and eventually just got bored and wanted a challenge so I thought to try water colour and fantasy. I started adding wildlife to the fantasy as a sort of compromise to my husband and mother saying I should do more wildlife paintings. It is nice to go back to a subject matter I am comfortable with and I think it adds some interest as well.

Kindreds – Swan by Deanna Bach-Talsma

What are your favorite animals and what animal haven’t you yet painted that you would like to?
I LOVE birds (obviously, most of my paintings seem to contain them) and foxes. Among the animals on the long “to do” list are peacock, raven, bluejay, gray fox, hedgehog, and bat.  I won’t do a shark, please don’t ask.

Sparrow Hawk by Deanna Bach-Talsma

Frog by Deanna Bach-Talsma

I understand that you were recently at a fairy fest.  Would you tell us a little about your experiences there and what you were doing there?
Faery Fest is an annual event in Guelph, Ontario, Canada and I will be there this month (June 23 and 24) along with fellow fantasy artist, Monika Ptok-Byard, and others. This will be my third year as a vendor there. It is a really fun event and I look forward to it all year. The best thing about being a vendor there is the positive response to the art – everyone at a Faery Fest “gets” it. I was also a contributing artist to a card game that the Faery Fest is starting this year. Also, there is jousting.

Faery and Prince by Deanna Bach-Talsma

I hear you started painting very young.  Is being an artist something you always wanted to do?  What was your journey to being an artist like?
The reason I started painting young is because my father is an artist and I saw what he was doing and wanted to try too. In kindergarten I won first place for a multi school talent competition for a fingerpainting, and I placed again in grade 4. I knew by then that art was what my calling was. My father always encouraged me and fed my desire, as did my teachers. I have always been an “artist” and am very lucky to have had such positive encouragement.

Vampire Lovers by Deanna Bach-Talsma

I see on your website you also do graphic arts in the form of signs and t-shirts.  Many artists remain in one genre and I salute you for being versatile.  Do you ever have conflict about doing the two totally different styles of art?
I have such a hunger for creating, I would love to try every possible medium, and learn every creative outlet before I die! I do the vinyl graphic work because it is a challenge, it is different, fun, and frankly, it makes money.

Vinyl Signs by Deanna Bach-Talsma

Do you have a favorite painting(s) out of all that you have done?
Picking one favorite is difficult.  I like most of my paintings and have a hard time parting with any of them. Some of my favorites are “Kindreds – Red Fox” (mostly because it is so popular and foxes are awesome), “Gossip” (because of the detail and because it won first place in Selina Fenech’s annual art contest 2011), and “Enchanted Visions” (because it is so happy and colourful).

Kindreds – Red Fox by Deanna Bach-Talsma

Gossip by Deanna Bach-Talsma

When I am not painting I am chasing my 3 year old daughter around! I also enjoy reading and photography. But my days are pretty full with family and art that not much else happens.

Want to see more of Deanna’s art?

Website – www.deannabachart.ca
etsy Shop – http://www.etsy.com/shop/deannabachart
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/DeannaBachArt
Zazzle Store – http://www.zazzle.com/deannabachart
deviantArt – http://sylph7sky.deviantart.com/

Thank you Deanna for taking the time to do this interview.  I’ve enjoyed seeing your art and getting to know you.

Drop by every Friday to meet more fabulous artists.  Next week, I’ll be featuring artist Kristin Palmer.