Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to C Tanner Jensen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

C Tanner, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was three. I remember being asked what I wanted to” grow up to be?” and I knew I wanted to draw pictures and be with horses.
I soon found out that adults thought this was amusing. My parents were always supportive of my vision, but the rest of the world was not.

C Tanner, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an artist first, an equestrian, and a teacher. I love each of these facets for different reasons and have managed to weave them together.
In the studio I primarily use to horses express myself. I use colour, and line, and brush marks to convey feelings, thoughts, and moments of time. I want the view to be engaged with the artwork and to slow down and contemplate what they are seeing and feeling.
As an educator I love guiding people to find their own visual language. To discover how to translate their in thoughts into their own creations.
And horses?, they are everything. I have been enthralled with them as far back as I can remember. No matter how much time I spend with them I am always amazed by how they catch my breath. So large and powerful, gentle and kind. They reflect noblest of virtues.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Art enriches peoples lives. It brings people together and allows them quiet spaces to think.
Go to art opening. Drop into art galleries and see what they are showing.Take a workshop or class from an artist in their studio or at an Art Center. Learn what you like and how it makes you feel.
Buy a piece of art you love from an artist. Live with it and see how much joy it brings into your home or work space.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Over the years I have had people purchase art from me. Some of them have been first time collectors, some have purchased art for a loved one. When those people contact you, sometimes years later and tell you how much they enjoy living with your work it is gratifying. One of my best experiences was this….Three women were huddled around an art work I had for sale. They speaking very seriously with each other. Finally one of them turned to me and said “We will take this one.” They explained to me one of their friends who was supposed to be with them had just had a run of ill luck be fall her. Her last child had lest for college, her husband announced he wanted a divorce, and she had just received a diagnose of breast cancer. They were buying this artwork as an expression of love for their friend.
Two years later I see three women together at the edge of my art display, another women comes up to me places her hands on my arms and says”I have had coffee with you every morning for the past two years. You helped me get through and heal.” She then hugged me. My artwork had been hung in her kitchen where she sat and had coffee every morning. It became a powerful talisman of the love her friends had for her and helped her heal. I got to be part this, how fortunate and I!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tannerjensenfineart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetgrassart/
• Facebook: Tanner Jensen Fine Art
• Linkedin: C Tanner Jensen