About The Artist

Artist Biography

Deidre Anne (Gillis) Tansey grew up in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, a place of quiet magic and natural beauty. Her childhood was one of untethered exploration: playing on the edge of rapids, building forts in the woods, and exploring wintery back roads under northern lights. These early adventures, rich with imagination and a deep connection to the land, influence the mood and movement of her work.

A lifelong artist, Deidre earned a Bachelor of Education, Fine Arts Concentration from the University of Victoria and later a Business Degree from VIU, concentrating on Marketing. She began her career as a high school art and graphic design teacher, later expanding into a diverse creative path that has included interior design, floral design, dance studio ownership, and leadership roles in corporate branding and marketing.

For many years, Deidre balanced her professional work with raising her six children as a single mama. She made creativity a constant presence in their lives, encouraging them to think independently, problem-solve, and approach challenges with curiosity and imagination. Through art, storytelling, and shared projects, she helped them develop resilience, empathy, and a deep appreciation for beauty in everyday life. Today, she shares a close connection with each of them, taking pride in seeing those values carried forward in their own lives.

Artist Statement 

I paint from photographs, many I’ve taken. Images that stay with me, sometimes for years, until I feel ready to bring them to life. I’m not a landscape artist, or a wildlife or portrait artist. I tell stories. Each piece may lean toward realism, but the real magic is in the process, the slow, meditative unfolding where brushstrokes become moments, colours share emotions and the story quietly reveals itself. By the end, I understand why I was drawn to it, and the painting knows its name.

Painting is my way of celebrating life. It is an act of gratitude, a way to pause and notice the beauty in the simplest moments. Through colour, light, and texture, I seek to capture not just what I see, but what I feel. The process reminds me that joy and peace can be found even in times of challenge, and that creativity is a powerful force for resilience. I hope my work offers others the same sense of calm, joy, and quiet connection I find while creating it.

Deidre works primarily in acrylic on canvas and wood, drawing from photography and memory as the starting point for each piece. Her professional background, combined with decades of personal creative practice, has led to the founding of Ampersand Healing Arts, where she combines her artistic skill with ongoing training in Art Therapy. A mother of six grown children, Deidre now lives and works in British Columbia, balancing her roles as painter, educator, and creative healer.