Artist Profile: TaVee Magner

Name: TaVee Magner

What is your genre, and how do you describe your art?  I am an oil painter and I paint figurative paintings. It’s somewhat abstracted figurative work. I do some work from models, but what I really like to do is work from photographs, most often my own photographs.  The piece that is in the auction is done from a photograph I have.

How long have you been doing this kind of art?  About 20 years. My style has developed over those 20 years. I like looking at other arts, and also enjoy the open studio advanced painting class at DVC (Diablo Valley College) to get exposed to other artists.  My work has developed over time.

Where do you work, what do you like about your work space?  I work in my garage studio. I’ve worked out of there for about 12 years. What I like is that by now, I’ve accumulated a lot of materials. I have all the tools that I need. I know what I’m doing and I know where my stuff is. It’s pretty comfortable.

Do you have an arts education? Yes. I have a bachelor of fine arts in painting and printmaking (a double major) from the Kansas City Art Institute. It’s a sister institution to the San Francisco Art Institute. I’ve been out here 20-some years. We just thought there was more opportunity in the Bay Area than where we were.

How do you feel about being included in the ? I’m very pleased. I think it’s a great organization, and I’m very happy to be able to support the organization by donating art to the auction, and I’m pleased that the last three years my pieces have sold and have been able to support the organization.