It is not everyday that you get to interview one of your art crushes! Tahnee Lonsdale’s figurative paintings have always resonated with me, and in this episode, I got the behind the scenes peek into her practice and life. Tahnee grew up in Sussex, UK, and moved to LA when her two children were young.
Tahnee described a childhood of imaginary friends and freedom roaming the countryside. Now, she makes paintings from her vivid imagination featuring figures who are guardians, ancestors, or perhaps a metaphor for some sort of invisible presence you can sense but cannot see. These paintings have evolved over the years as she has subtly shifted the work alongside, and indirectly because of, her life experiences. To me, her monumental figures tap into the maternal experience, especially early parenthood when you must continually find ways to be more than you ever thought you had the capacity to be.
We had a great conversation about shedding the mom guilt (how does she do it!?) as well as some practical ways dedication to your goals, patience, and valuing your sensitivity can pay off in your work.
Final Five:
Biggest Art Crush: Salman Toor
Dream Trip: Japan
Film or book: Many Lives, Many Masters
Favorite meal: Ramen
Shoutout: Sarah Sickles
To see more of Tahnee’s work please visit her website and follow her on IG @tahneelonsdale
The Artist/Mother podcast is created and hosted by Kaylan Buteyn. You can see more of Kaylan’s work on her website or connect with her on Instagram @kaylanbuteyn
Tahnee Lonsdale portraits (photo credit: Phil Cheung).
Images of Tahnee in her studio (photo credit: Emma Marie Jenkins).
Install images of Tahnee’s work, Armory NY (2023), MASSIMODECARLO’s Piece Unique, Paris (2024), ARTSY digital billboards (2024).