About the Artist

Tanya Michele Franks, is a self-taught artist, born and brought up in London. Whilst growing up, she was surrounded by artist friends and family all, who contributed to her desire to draw and paint.  At the age of seven she met ‘L.S. Lowry,’ and showed him some of her drawings. His exact words were:

“My dear, you have talent, don’t be an artist.”

Tanya’s father told Lowry he thought that was a strange thing to say to a young child, to which Lowry then replied:

“The reason I say this, is because of my experience. By the time I was successful, I was too old to enjoy the fruits of my success.

Tanya works mostly in watercolour, gouache and ink. She did a series of short etching courses at ‘The Hampstead School of Art,’ she specializes mostly in hand-coloured etchings and watercolour paintings. Her work is imaginatively based on all her own images, consisting largely of a mystical and spiritual nature, some of her work, with symbolism and deep meaning attached to it. Much of her inspiration derives from ‘Folk mythology,’ and ‘Medieval’ illuminated manuscripts, found in prayer books. The artist is also very drawn to ‘Oriental art,’ of Indian, Persian and Chinese origins.

Tanya has spent over a decade showing and selling her work in the 'Primrose Hill Gallery'. She has shown some of her artwork in ‘Highgate Fine Art,’ ‘The Perrins Walk Gallery,’ (now the ‘Print Room’), and until recently was a member of the ‘Brent Art Resources Centre,’ where she has exhibited with other artists at the ‘Willesden Green Gallery.’