Meet Cecilia Tanner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecilia Tanner.

Cecilia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2018, I met my husband and business partner, Sterling, while finishing a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He was a recent graduate from the same school, receiving a master’s degree in music and a doctorate in musical arts for trombone performance shortly before we met. We always gravitated towards the arts and expressing ourselves in many different capacities. Our musical connections ran deep as I played the violin since the age of six, dabbled in piano/guitar, and was president of the Texas Electronic music club (a student organization at UT Austin) when we met.

In 2019, Sterling was invited to serve as trombone assistant professor of practice for The Ohio State University, and we were thrilled to start this new adventure! OSU has a wonderful reputation as it relates to school spirit, band culture, and football. We felt so honored to be a part of the community. However, our move from Texas was completely out of my comfort zone as I never set foot in the state before our move date. Regardless, I was optimistic that I would find inspiration and delight in the journey. I was not disappointed, and our wedding was held on this very campus! I fell in love Ohio’s natural beauty and culture immediately. I was particularly impressed by the incredible parks, flowers, and animal life. I still remember seeing my first goldfinch and being in awe at its vibrancy. Not to mention the blue jays, cardinals, and family of deer that roamed my neighborhood. Life in Ohio feels abundant and pure, and I deeply value the opportunity to disconnect from technology in nature.

In the dreaded year of 2020, I began to cope with Covid related stressors through art and nature. I began painting at such a rapid cadence that our house was overwhelmed with canvases. Each work was so sentimental to me that Sterling never asked me to slow down. Instead, he offered to put his woodworking expertise to action by crafting custom frames for each piece. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sterling was exposed to woodworking at a young age, and I was touched by his support and ability to elevate each piece with gorgeous, stained wood. Over time, coworkers and friends noticed my work and encouraged me to sell my pieces, which helped me to overcome imposter syndrome in this space. I received such positive feedback that I decided to commit to this hobby in a professional way, starting with launching my website – sifuentesart.com

This art site name allowed me to honor my maiden name, Sifuentes, with respect to my father who was a major catalyst of my art abilities. During my childhood in El Paso, TX, he would shuttle me to art classes every summer, inspire me with his sculpting abilities, and even allowed me to splurge at Hobby Lobby on art supplies of all mediums. I can never repay my parents for believing in me and allowing me to express myself without limitation.

As a psychology graduate, I’m committed to improving the well-being of all communities, and my art is a way for me to sustain that sentiment. My goal is to bring warmth, joy, and playfulness into the homes of my clients. For my day job as an Operations Management Sr. Associate for McKesson, I do my best to align these goals and make a positive impact in the lives of others. We are all multifaceted as humans, and I am constantly striving to implement my skills in a way that allows everyone to rise together.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The most memorable obstacle I faced in my Ohio journey was a toe injury that happened within the first hour of us arriving at our new home. I dropped a vehicle unloading ramp from a Penske truck directly onto my big toe, which annihilated the nail. Ouch!!! Never wear flip-flops when you’re moving to a new home. Please!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As a Filipina Mexican American, I am inspired by artists from these cultures. Including Frida Kahlo and my Filipino great grandfather, who was a calligraphy artist. I make framed canvas art that features textures and materials of all kinds. I am known for my vibrant and natural aesthetic. My goal is to replicate nature with a hyperreal focus. I am known for creating images that represent landscapes or animals with an abstract flare. For example, a piece listed on my site titled “Pufferfish” really resembles an open-mouthed fish that needs no water and floats in a desert scene. In addition, I can see waves crashing and a coral reef depicted in my piece titled “Deep Sea Kerfuffle.” I am most proud of this piece because it is so full of life and movement. My offerings are also unique because of how creatively Sterling has designed the frames. For example, “Mars Rover Triple” is a piece that supports three consecutive panels in a way that I’ve never seen in stores.

In my art, you can see what you want to see depending on your perspective, and I will hint at what I see with the title. My resourcefulness and willingness to try new things sets me apart. I am always evolving my techniques, repurposing materials, and researching methodologies that I haven’t tried before.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is how much everyone needs each other. Sometimes, I want to do everything on my own, but I realize that working in solitude is extremely difficult, time-consuming, and unfulfilling. I embrace the opportunity to tap into perspectives of all kinds because this insight enriches my soul and cultivates the best outcomes. I’m always looking for opportunities to collaborate, and my art site looks as it does because a close friend, Le Tang, was willing to contribute to my vision. My art research is fueled by the insight that others are willing to offer, and I pay much respect to the expertise of all.

Pricing:

• Pieces range from $70-$500

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sifuentesart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sifuentesart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sifuentesart
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliatanner

Image Credits
Cecilia and Sterling Tanner