A CHESTER artist has been congratulated on winning a top prize.

Chester solicitor firm Storrar Cowdry once again sponsored the University of Chester Prize for Fine Art. This year's winner is Tanya Tranter.

Darlene Storrar was delighted with this year’s winner of the prize. Darlene said: “Tanya is a worthy winner as she is clearly very talented and has a recognisable style which is modern, engaging and charming”.

Tanya is also the proud mother of one year old baby girl, Phoenix. Tanya lives in Chester with her partner Luke and baby Phoenix.

The mum said: “Without Luke’s help I would never have got through my degree; he has been tremendous.”

Tanya was born in Bethesda but moved to Chester 15 years ago. She was always interested in art and at the age of 30 she decided to do a degree in fine art.

She said: “It is the best thing, apart from having Phoenix, that I have ever done.”

Tanya’s specialist subject is painting and in particular portraiture which is evident in these two pieces. Her degree pieces were painted in acrylics.

The large painting is a self-portrait with all the paraphernalia of a new mother. “I like to paint in oils however I was breast feeding whilst doing my degree work hence not being able to use oils”.

Dr Jeremy Turner, head of fine art at the University of Chester, added: “It was a real pleasure to nominate Tanya Tranter for the 2023 Storrar Cowdry Solicitors Prize in Fine Art.

"Tanya joined the Fine Art programme in September 2020 and her talent could be perceived from an early stage, even under the online delivery part of the programme due to Covid lockdowns.

"Tanya’s paintings simultaneously reference art history and explore 21st century attitudes to motherhood, femininity and the individual. The Fine Art team at the University wish her well in her future endeavours."

Tanya hopes now to be able to take on commissions.