Tanja Vean (b. 1969) was born and raised in the small town of Sunndalsöra on the northwestern coast of Norway.

She attended high school and college in Trondheim, and has a a teacher's degree in languages and arts and crafts.

She has worked in Oslo, Öksendal, Oppdal as a teacher and PR/commercial designer,  and is now based in Trondheim dividing her time between teaching and painting.

She says:” In the last few years I've been inspired by Bob Dylan's lyrics and songs. An exciting challenge. My interpretation may be quite different from anybody elses.

Portraits of strong females is also a favourite motiv. The thin line between erotic and aesthetic is also an interesting and exciting act of balance.

I'm also inspired by people I meet - and their houses . Contrasts, expectations and prejudices gets my mind going. These processes sometimes ends up in  paintings of  houses. And people. And people with houses. Rarely houses with people in them."

“The landscape of the Northwestern coast (Nordmörskysten) and the northern part of Norway is rugged and beautiful. The everchanging and very special light in these parts of my country is always a very exciting experience. Maybe the people I paint also can be seen as rugged and beautiful? They live there.

The mix of strong elements sometimes crash with each other. The elements, colours and every single personality and will fights a little with each other in my paintings. This moments and contrasts is what I'm trying to capture.”

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