Resin artist Tanya Penner ‘soars high’ with show at SAC gallery

When people around Steinbach hear the name Tanya Penner, they can be forgiven for picturing local aviation royalty rather than an upbeat popular artist when you mention her showing at the Steinbach Arts Council (SAC). Likewise, if taking advantage of the SAC gallery on 2nd Street featuring Tanya’s absorbing and glitteringly-colourful works, the patron can be forgiven for not thinking of the administration, detailed planning, and crisply linear scheduling which is the hallmark of Harv’s Air CEO.

The demands and skills required of the two seemingly opposing vocations might lead the observer to believe they couldn’t possibly co-exist in the same person, but like the magic of Penner’s art, they simply do and with fascinating results.

No one taking in the tactile and weighty canvasses of Penner’s resin artwork sees the same dreamscape or shares the same interpretation of the feature, but it is the power of that open conceptualization of colour and texture that invites the observer to create a personal interpretation of the art and thereby enjoy an emotional response.

“I want people to experience something when they look at my art. The warmth and joy of the golden layers that are the finishing touches; the depth of the ocean pieces with their texture; the weight and mystery of the silver and jaded blue crystals,” says Penner. They are each an open invitation to the observer to supply their own meaning, which makes the experience so powerful.

“Shifting Realms: Ocean, Earth & Ether” is the feature showing from May 22 to June 26 of the SAC’s 2025-2026 Hall Gallery exhibit season. Opening night was a success with over 50 people streaming in to see Penner’s work. True to wanting those viewing her art to “have an experience,” she brought her own cheese and dainties to share with those attending to make it a true art show.

The joy of the vibrant colours and inviting textures, however, is not what initially drew Penner to artistry and the accessible designs of “fluid art.” Having lost her father and finding herself battling with post-partum depression in addition to struggling with the long, dark Manitoban winters, Penner was compelled to find something to alleviate the emptiness and emotional burden she found herself in.

After randomly finding a YouTube video on “the flip cup technique” of fluid art using acrylic paints, she began experimenting with the medium and its various components. She was elated by the results, and the discoveries yielded with each new piece compelled her to keep experimenting. It became her therapy.

“It started as a distraction during those long winter nights to keep me busy and not drowning in myself, but the newness and excitement of each piece, the demands of keeping the paints in motion and not letting anything set until I was ready all became addictive. I had to keep going and each new piece was a fresh discovery. It was uplifting,” Penner said.

The fluid art technique and the dedication in learning to control it led Penner to use resin as a seal for the colours on the canvass. However, once she discovered that the resin itself could be tinted, particularly with the metallic colours of gold, silver and copper, a whole new world opened up to her. The discovery led to the showing at the SAC.

“My husband encouraged me to apply for one of their summer spots, and to my shock they gave me a resounding yes, and here I am,” said Penner. “The response has been so positive, (SAC) have asked me to come back for the 2027 season!” She has already begun working on the pieces for that.

“The showing is motivating,” she said. “It forces me to experiment with new techniques and new components,” she says pointing to one of her favourite pieces that features epsom salts and several hand-collected abalone shells. Another recent canvas stands out as it gives the appearance of dragon’s scales.

Some of the works have as many as 20 layers of resin on them which makes them unusually heavy. This requires special wire to hang the pieces and especially robust canvases, which can all be expensive. These elements can cost Penner between 75 cents to a dollar per square inch.

“I did a bulk buy of canvasses at Michaels when I was first starting out,” Penner said, “The cashier called another clerk to help me load them in my van, yelling out, ‘We got a Picaso here.”

The story just adds to the joy that has been Penner’s experience since starting her art. So much so that, after taking over her family home’s basement to become her studio, she frequently has her friends over to show them how to use resin in the fluid technique. “It’s way cheaper and more fun than therapy. We all feel better after doing pieces,” she said.

There are several businesses around the Steinbach area that feature her work. They are popular not only because each person interprets the work for themselves, but the effect of absorbing her art is one of warmth and confidence, which is just how businesses like their customers to be. Winnipeg Beach’s Breakwater Ice Cream and Coffee Bar features several of her pieces for just that reason.

An added bonus of her work is that, once cured, the resin acts as a clear coat of armour to the colours and components of the piece. This means people can actually touch the work to enhance their experience, which is important to Penner.

“I love to share my joy and my need for new and wonderful experiences, ones that make me really want to live and to spread my love for life,” says Penner. “I love to connect with others and share that joy. It creates a memory and a common bond between me and everyone who sees my work. I love that.”

The exhibit runs until June 26.