Stephen Tanis

Stephen Tanis received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master of fine art's degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art, studying under the geometric constructionist painter, George Earl Ortman. Tanis joined the fine art department at the University of Delaware in 1972 where he taught until his retirement in 2000.

The construction of a painting—the application of the medium, the balance of light, the handling of color, and the tension between the people or objects on the canvas—are important aspects of Tanis' practice. The artist's expert handling of these technical concerns result in psychologically-charged images of still lifes, figures, and old master paintings.