Vanaken, Theresa

Artist Statement
In October of 2003 I was invited to take my first silk painting class. It was like eating chocolate for me! Every stroke of the brush, each suprising flow of dye onto silk, melted by heart and excited my soul. I knew that I had found my medium.

I graduated with a BA in Art from Portland State University in 1976. I have painted in oils, acrylics and watercolors, but never with the enthusiasm of silk painting! Nature is my inspiration and living both in Oregon and Alaska affords me that outlet of creativity!

I have exhibited and sold my work in both private and public collections.

About Artist Theresa Vanaken
Since a very early age, color and composition have dominated my interest. I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. I attended Linfield College for two years and received my BA in Business and Art from Portland State University. I have done many private and public commisions, exhibiting works at the Oregon State Capital Rotunda, watercolor paintings with the Oregon Watercolor Society and most recently silk painting with art galleries in both Oregon and Alaska.

Rural Oregon has been my residence for the past 30 years and in the last six years, my husband, two dogs and myself spend 6 months of the year at our 2nd home on The Prince of Whales Island in Alaska!

This summer we are building an addition to our home in Alaska which includes an exciting new studio overlooking the inland passage! My inspiration for painting comes from a multitude of experiences including photography, kayaking, fishing, traveling, whale watching and simply immersing myself in natures beauty and color.

I spent nearly 30 years of my life working in the Federal Government, which is far from “creative”. Now after having been retired for two years, I am diving head first into my innate passion for color, design, and now most recently silk painting.

Artist Code: TV