Tanna Steverson

Sustained Investigation Series
One of the greatest gifts bestowed on humankind was our minds, but the ability to think does not make us free to. Over the last thousand years, the culture-clash between Christianity and society created kindling for conflict. My series moves back and forth through the good and bad of society and Christianity, much like an argument. Individually, each piece focuses on the manipulation of space, and how each object exists in it. I use design principles and targeted use of color to bring a range of emotions to the viewer. In this series, I did a lot of experimentation with mixed media and the human form. I stepped out of my comfort zone with watercolor and charcoal. Some of my first ventures with charcoal were in this series. These paintings were about working through creative conflict and the unknown to build a better portfolio Humanity is perseverant. That's what my series is all about: people using their minds for good to make a better future for all of us because no matter what we believe, our blood still bleeds the same color. 
"Torn Apart” | 8” x 16” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | I wanted the show the effects that language can have on a person. The question I wanted to answer was: What is the impact of society's words on the everyday Christian?
"Torn Apart” | 8” x 16” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | I wanted the show the effects that language can have on a person. The question I wanted to answer was: What is the impact of society's words on the everyday Christian?
"Liftoff and Landing" | 10” x 6” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
"Liftoff and Landing" | 10” x 6” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
"Eyesore" | 10” x 20” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to show how two people can look at the same thing, and two different emotions can be evoked. The question I asked with this work was 'Do Christians and society have the same view of religion?'.
"Eyesore" | 10” x 20” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to show how two people can look at the same thing, and two different emotions can be evoked. The question I asked with this work was 'Do Christians and society have the same view of religion?'.
"The Puppet-Master and his Strings", | 18” x 10” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | This work explored the question of 'How does Society view religion' and 'Is religion a malignant part of the world?'. This artwork is society’s observation of religion and how it appears confining.
"The Puppet-Master and his Strings", | 18” x 10” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | This work explored the question of 'How does Society view religion' and 'Is religion a malignant part of the world?'. This artwork is society’s observation of religion and how it appears confining.
"Lily Among the Flowers" | 15” x 11” | Watercolor pencils on watercolor paper | This work explored the question of 'How is virginity viewed by society?' and 'How do morals get subverted?'. The girl in this piece represents the average Christian.
"Lily Among the Flowers" | 15” x 11” | Watercolor pencils on watercolor paper | This work explored the question of 'How is virginity viewed by society?' and 'How do morals get subverted?'. The girl in this piece represents the average Christian.
"Indifference" | 18” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.The woman in the center represents the average Christian. The phone in her hand represents the platform she has on major issues. She says one thing on her phone, but she pays no heed to the people around her.
"Indifference" | 18” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.The woman in the center represents the average Christian. The phone in her hand represents the platform she has on major issues. She says one thing on her phone, but she pays no heed to the people around her.
"The Fight of Lazarus" | 24: x 10” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | This work explored the question of 'How or what is preventing humanity from working together?' and ' Is there a way that this barrier can be overcome?'. This artwork shows the fight of Lazarus to return to life after he died.
"The Fight of Lazarus" | 24: x 10” | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | This work explored the question of 'How or what is preventing humanity from working together?' and ' Is there a way that this barrier can be overcome?'. This artwork shows the fight of Lazarus to return to life after he died.
"The Space Between" | 12: x 18” | Acrylic on matboard | This work explored the question 'Do Christians and Society have any commonality?' and 'Can the greyness of hatred be overcome by two opposing forces?'. This artwork shows the divide between Society and Christianity slowly dissolving.
"The Space Between" | 12: x 18” | Acrylic on matboard | This work explored the question 'Do Christians and Society have any commonality?' and 'Can the greyness of hatred be overcome by two opposing forces?'. This artwork shows the divide between Society and Christianity slowly dissolving.
"Serenity" | 14” x 14” | Colored pencil on paper | This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
"Serenity" | 14” x 14” | Colored pencil on paper | This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
"Red Landing” | 18” x 24” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
"Red Landing” | 18” x 24” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted the show the holy spirit flying out into the world in this piece. This work explored the question of 'How do spiritual beings interact in the realm of the living?'.
Process Development for Sustained Investigation
Additional Artworks
"Cloth and Color" | 12” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | With this piece, I wanted to explore still life, and include objects that I found important to me.
"Cloth and Color" | 12” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | With this piece, I wanted to explore still life, and include objects that I found important to me.
"Unindulged Emotion" | 10” x 12” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to convey emotion in this piece, and in this case, I wanted to study what a person looks like when they are tired.
"Unindulged Emotion" | 10” x 12” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to convey emotion in this piece, and in this case, I wanted to study what a person looks like when they are tired.
"Shapeless Sound" | 4” x 6” | Watercolor, charcoal, and modeling paste on canvas | I wanted to experiment with different media and styles with this piece.
"Shapeless Sound" | 4” x 6” | Watercolor, charcoal, and modeling paste on canvas | I wanted to experiment with different media and styles with this piece.
"An Impression of Time" | 12” x 18” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to convey the relativity of time in this piece. Each clock shows the same time in the mirror, but that's not actually the time. The clocks in the mirror only show the reflection of the actual time.
"An Impression of Time" | 12” x 18” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to convey the relativity of time in this piece. Each clock shows the same time in the mirror, but that's not actually the time. The clocks in the mirror only show the reflection of the actual time.
"Subway Connection" | 12” x 20” | Acrylic on canvas | I was conveying the love between two people with this piece.
"Subway Connection" | 12” x 20” | Acrylic on canvas | I was conveying the love between two people with this piece.
"Cliff Face in Sea" | 14” x 10” | Oil pastel on watercolor paper | In this piece, I used the cliff to convey the beauty of nature untouched by humanity.
"Cliff Face in Sea" | 14” x 10” | Oil pastel on watercolor paper | In this piece, I used the cliff to convey the beauty of nature untouched by humanity.
"Alaskan Serenade" | 10” x 20” | Watercolor and colored pencil on watercolor paper | I wanted the show the gravity of nature in comparison to architecture.
"Alaskan Serenade" | 10” x 20” | Watercolor and colored pencil on watercolor paper | I wanted the show the gravity of nature in comparison to architecture.
"Almost Youthful" | 16” x 12” | Mixed-media collage | I was conveying my childhood and the memories surrounding it with this piece.
"Almost Youthful" | 16” x 12” | Mixed-media collage | I was conveying my childhood and the memories surrounding it with this piece.
"Flora to Fawn” 12” x 12” | Oil pastels on watercolor paper | I wanted to create something airy and light with this piece. The flowers represent innocence.
"Flora to Fawn” 12” x 12” | Oil pastels on watercolor paper | I wanted to create something airy and light with this piece. The flowers represent innocence.
"Quill and Bowl" | 14” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to show how bright colors can make ordinary objects more striking.
"Quill and Bowl" | 14” x 10” | Acrylic on canvas | I wanted to show how bright colors can make ordinary objects more striking.
"Budding Color" | 10” x 14” | Acrylic on canvas
"Budding Color" | 10” x 14” | Acrylic on canvas
“The Ripple Effect” | 22” x 26" | Oil pastel on paper
“The Ripple Effect” | 22” x 26" | Oil pastel on paper
Follow my Instagram: @tanna_art__portfolio
Artist website: https://artists-craft.weebly.com/
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