ABOUT TESSA SKERMAN

Tessa is a New Zealand artist based in Raglan. She has an intriguing painting practice, applying a personal technique into her process, that she has dubbed 'paint, slice and re-create'.  A method she developed while teaching secondary school Visual Arts.

The motive in her work is to present a piece that leads the eye on a journey across the scene, composing a new vista corresponding to affinities of form, line, angles and depth. The result is a unique, fragmented,  yet whole  signature piece of artwork.

Tessa has always enjoyed the practice of painting, and the constant experimentation over the years has led to the development of this signature style she has named 'slat painting'.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

As artists we see the world and its beauty through our own personalised lenses, and we attempt to present what we see and feel through our creations. For many years I have experimented with painting techniques, and attempted to present my views of fragmentation in our world.

It was during these years of exploration that I developed my method of ‘paint, slice and re-create'. I discovered this concept when I was experimenting with depth and layering on canvas and board, and exploring ideas of perspectives in nature. I was trying to create the illusion of fragmenting realism. When I noticed my husbands bench saw sitting in the garage I could not see any reason not to slice up my paintings.

I asked myself 'why not push the boundaries of composition?' 

These boundaries have been pushed, and continue to be. My journey of this unique method has begun.

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I draw inspiration from my environment, nature, organic forms and shapes. Travel is one of my passions and during my younger years overseas I collected and saved my travel tickets and maps. At times I weave these into my work, using the lines and shapes to help direct and compose the painting. 

Although I am focussing on my 'slat paintings' at present, I do enjoy painting up a canvas when the urge arises.

If you like what you see, please contact me. I also welcome commissions.