Half in Bloom

The artwork is inspired by a serene female face that emerges from an abstract background with only half of her features revealed, inviting the viewer to complete the story. Her calm grey-blue eyes are the emotional focal point of the painting. A crown of oversized blooms stretches across her forehead, where golden sunflowers, white daisies and delicate purple flowers intertwine. A crimson tulip rests against her cheek. The background is alive with energetic palette knife textures, layered brushstrokes and unexpected blocks of turquoise, cobalt blue, emerald green, orange and violet. These abstract passages create movement and spontaneity, contrasting with the softly modelled realism of the face.

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Tania Thenabadu is of Sri Lankan origin and from the age of 18 years she has lived in different countries- the U.S, France, Denmark, Australia and Singapore. These experiences, such as living in Paris and growing up in Sri Lanka, has deeply influenced her painting style which has evolved over the years. Tania comes from a family of artists – both her aunts are professional artists and have guided her over the years.
Before venturing into art, Tania first got a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wellesley College in 1991 (was selected as an international scholar) and a master’s in international Affairs from Columbia University (presidential scholarship) in New York in 1993. After her master’s degree, she started working in Paris, first at a research institute and then later at IBM Europe. She has had a long and successful career in Market Intelligence and operational marketing at IBM – working at IBM Europe, Australia and the US. Tania is tri-lingual in English, French and Sinhalese.
Her artist journey started in 2012 in Singapore, where under the tutelage of Cora Waterhouse she explored the fundamentals of drawing—cubes, circles, still life, and shading. After 6 years in Singapore where she fine-tuned her work in acrylics and pastels, Tania and her family returned to Sydney, Australia in 2018. From 2018 until today, she has continued to paint, exhibit, and sell her artwork to private collectors worldwide. Tania now works primarily in acrylics and pastels and continues attend workshops and classes.

Artistic Development and Achievements
• I have been painting for the last 14 years under the tutelage of different teachers, namely Cora Waterhouse (Singapore) and Petra Pinn (Sydney) and in the last three years at classes in the Gold Coast Art School and at RQAS (Royal Queensland Art Society).
• I have sold my paintings to private individuals and collectors in the US, UK, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Sri Lanka and Australia
• Awards: Received a Professional Development Grant from the Gold Coast Arts Development Fund, 2025, City of Gold Coast.
• Accepted into the following Art Residency Programs:
o Chateau de Orquevaux Residency June 2024 (20% worldwide acceptance rate)
o One Arts Gold Coast – Residency and Exhibition in September 2025
o Atelier Artist in Residence, accepted for June 17-July 1st 2026

Exhibitions: Solo Exhibition, September 2025. One Arts Gold Coast.
o Group Exhibition, November 2025. One Arts Gold Coast.
o Member of Royal Queensland Art Society since September 2025, participating in monthly group exhibitions.
o Group Exhibition, November 2026, Brisbane, Brunswick Gallery