Ever look at a piece of art and just get lost in its beauty and find yourself smiling through a whirlwind of thoughts? Because same. Often for us, when the art is bigger and brighter it often is better – let’s be honest. And one local artist that gives us serious love heart eyes is Tania Blanchard. You may recognise her impasto dots style art from The Block, or prestigious magazines like Queensland Homes or Home Beautiful. Read on to find out about her creative process and her local loves.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I’ve been on the Gold Coast in Burleigh for almost 18 years. A whole lifetime — in fact, my first son was only 9 months old when we moved here from Sydney. There have been a lot of milestones here.

Burleigh has definitely changed in those 18 years. It’s pretty cliche but my husband at the time got his dream job here and was mad about surfing so we just up and moved and I haven’t left since.

I have seen Burleigh change over the years from what seemed like a very quiet, low-key street to now a super cool place that everyone wants to live in. Amazing restaurants, great clothing stores and an atmosphere that is exciting and very welcoming.

Experiencing the change has been phenomenal. One thing that hasn’t changed in the laid-back feel that Queensland will always offer — you can still head straight off the beach and walk around bare feet — it’s great!

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
Apart from the obvious things like the amazing beaches, surf breaks, laid-back lifestyle and fabulous weather, there’s a really cool art scene here. I used to own an art gallery in Burleigh where I was in the thick of the local art community. I met some amazing and talented local artists and we are still friends today.

There’s a real stereotype about what Gold Coasters are, but once you go deeper than the surface the people are fantastic. So it’s the down-to-earth and gorgeous friendships that I have made over the years that make me love the Gold Coast. Most of these wonderful friendships were made when my kids were young so we have been friends for years. We support one another, and go on family holidays together. I feel very grateful for these genuine friendships that will last a lifetime.

We know better than to listen to what other people have to say because narrowmindedness doesn’t exist within my group of friends’ community. It’s like anywhere, people judge a book by its cover, but you need to read the book to fully understand the characters and the story.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Personally, none of my days are planned out, I just fly by the seat of my pants mostly. It’s different every day and it kind of revolves around my three kids. They are home from school around 3:30 pm and I am always still trying to paint in my studio as I work quite late until it’s dinner time. I would love to say I put my feet up and read the paper and relax sometimes but there’s a lot that goes into running a busy household and business.

Professionally, I’m a one-woman show. I could work on my business 24 hours and still not get everything done because there is always something on the go. I love to start my day with a chai tea (or two) and answer a few emails. Then I do like to go into my studio and paint while the kids are at school. I go into my little world here. It’s my space and I love it. I often listen to podcasts or audiobooks while I paint. But then I often play nothing and just transcend into silence. I do like being absorbed in my thoughts as I’m so busy crazy in the outside world that sometimes having silence is just bliss…just me and my palate knife surrounded by colourful canvasses.  And sometimes play music (really loud) and I have been known to dance and sing. I can be a bit daggy but I don’t care…no one is watching (hopefully)!

What’s been your journey to becoming an artist? 
I often joke that I have been around the sun a few times… and it means that I have had a few different careers, but it has always been associated with art. I’ve been very connected to art. Even as a young girl, I would spend hours drawing so it was no surprise that I went on to pursue a visual art degree. I had great relationships with my teachers and mentors and that has shaped who I am as an artist today. I started having art exhibitions in the pre-internet days and back then I felt like it was really hard for artists to make a living as I certainly wasn’t making any money as an artist.

I went on to do graphic design studies and was a graphic designer for 15 years. I sang in a band plus worked as a DJ while I was doing this job, there were plenty of creative outlets during this time. My life has always been about creativity, writing songs, playing music, designing and learning about art, but I wasn’t sure where it was all going to head…

Moving from Sydney to the Gold Coast and starting a family meant becoming a full-time Mum so art took a backseat for a while. I had this longing to get back to my roots as an artist and started to see other people sharing their art on IG and it made me just think — I need to go on and do it. About eight years ago it took off and I haven’t looked back since.

How would you describe your work?
My work is made up of highly textural impasto dots or markings made with varying sizes of pallet knives. My pieces often start with layers of dark colours at the bottom and the last layers are usually lighter therefore there’s a sense of depth to each painting. Because the final layers are usually made with a smaller palate knife therefore my paintings from a distance can have a ‘dot’ look about them. When people ask what I’m up to, I have this joke that I say ‘Oh, just dropping dots’ — meaning I’m going to go and paint with my pallet knife.

I’ve always been drawn to bright colours and also have a love for clashing colours and warm colours against cool colours. I find this adds another dimension to my work. I intend that the way I arrange the dots will draw people into the picture. My desire is for my work to make people feel something — colour theory and psychology behind the emotional state when viewing different colours are super interesting to me.

My work is three-dimensional — paintings so textural they cast shadows — like it’s almost a combination of sculpture and painting, but on a canvas. They always look different depending on what time of the day it is and the way they are lit so they have a distinct versatility about them. I’ve even had feedback from my collectors about how much the painting changes and that they see something new every time they look at it.

What has been the biggest opportunity and/or challenge so far for you?
It was my friend Simone founder of the gorgeous Kira & Kira interiors store that first spotted my artwork via Instagram over eight years ago. She loved what I was doing and said that she’d love to sell my art in her store.  I was so excited at this prospect and even more excited when my first artwork was sold only a couple of weeks later. The next artwork was sold only a couple of minutes after I delivered it to K&K and this was the start of something a bit crazy and where it all took off. Artworks would sell almost immediately after I delivered them and I almost couldn’t keep up with the demand. My artwork takes so long to create. So I do have Kira and Kira to thank for my first opportunity of getting my artwork out into the world. We remain the greatest of friends and continue to support one another still to this day.

My second opportunity was back in 2017 when my artwork was featured in Ronnie and Georgia’s award-winning room on The Block. This was huge for me. I think I got over one thousand followers in a day (and more as the show went on) plus my art was featured in the background when all the homes went up for auction. The sale of my prints from that episode went off so I got lots of exposure from a different kind of audience.

I also believe that the best opportunities are often created by you. When I owned an art gallery and held my solo exhibitions and supported other artists it was an incredible opportunity to be a part of the local art community. Through hosting events at the gallery I was able to meet all sorts of people from art lovers to art directors and curators and even rockstars like Amy Shark who came along to my solo exhibition and now owns one of my artworks which hangs in her entranceway here on the Gold Coast…it was a magical time in my life.

Running my gallery wasn’t without its challenges. Everything was self-funded, from the exhibition marketing to the drinks served — I worked hard and paid for it all myself while creating art and supporting others to create their works too.

Just the everyday challenges of running a business on your own there’s a lot of juggling as I have three teens at home, life is very busy but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I find it hard to switch off sometimes but it’s not a chore at all, I love that I can be an artist and do what I love every day — it’s so rewarding to be able to push myself towards my goals.

What’s on the cards for the rest of 2023?
There are plenty of new opportunities for me this year. With my art, I am always wanting to extend and push myself into new creative endeavours. I’d love to combine my art with sculpture and I’m currently working on a piece that from a distance looks completely different on the outside to what it is on the inside…a parody that often I am met with people judging people before they get to know someone.

This year I am working on my solo show to be held around the middle of the year. I’m not sure of the location just yet but it will be somewhere that is unusual and where you would find a ‘normal’ art exhibition. I like the idea of showing work and juxtaposing my art against an obscure location. It will be the complete experience — the location, the invitation, the viewing itself… I’m planning for it to be a huge interactive event.

What is the best piece of business advice that you have ever been given?
It might not necessarily be business advice but it’s important to know who you are and trust your intuition. Whether with artistic expression, collaborations or business decisions, you have to back yourself 100%. Follow your gut. Ultimately you are the one who knows what works and what doesn’t. Take a breath and listen to yourself, you will make the right decision. I’ve had to learn how to trust the process, stay in my lane and just push myself past the fear of something not working.

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café/coffee spot: I love my chai. I don’t drink coffee so chai is my obsession and I am always on the hunt for a great one. Paddock in Burleigh does it well.
Restaurant: OOOOh This is a hard one as there are so many good restaurants in Burleigh now. Can I say three? I would have to Jimmy Wah’s. It’s been around for years but the food is always amazing as well as the service. And Restaurant Labart and also Light Years. These restaurants always serve exceptional food and service and have a great vibe so you feel like you’re getting the whole experience… I rarely go out these days so I like to know that I am going to have the best experience going to any of these places.
Bar or place for a drink: You really can’t beat the views and atmosphere of the Burleigh Pavillion. I know a lot of my male friends go to this next place but I’ve often been known to break the stereotype and meet up with my gal pals for a quick Friday afternoon bevy at The Crabpot. It’s very down-to-earth, friendly and has a local Burleigh vibe and I feel often like a spring chicken here which is nice for a change.
Beach: Nothing beats south Burleigh. All my three kids love to surf, especially my two older boys so you will often find them surfing Burleigh and how lucky are they to be living so close to one of the world’s best surf breaks. I have gone out with them but I just end up sitting on my surfboard watching them at least I’m out in the water.

How do you choose to spend your days off?
I’m lucky if I get a day off to spend doing entirely what I want to do. On those rare occasions, I just go to the beach, maybe for a run or go to pilates. I love to take Millie, my loyal pooch who is always by my side for walks. She also loves the beach and comes swimming out with me. Even if the waves are enormous she will always be right behind me trying to keep up.

Dr Shabnam Gujadhur was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer just after her 30th birthday in March 2022. She was busy working as a junior Doctor at Gold Coast University Hospital when suddenly overnight she found herself a patient instead.

Since her diagnosis, Shabnam has made it her goal to help others by spreading awareness about ovarian cancer – a silent killer and ignored killer. As both a doctor and a woman with ovarian cancer, she wanted to use her voice more poignantly, to raise funds for future research.

We chatted to Dr Shabnam about her diagnosis, her work with the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) and how her experience has changed her perspective on life and work.

How long have you been a Gold Coast local?
I moved to the Gold Coast from Melbourne almost 6 years ago. Looking back over those years, I have formed life-long friendships and amazing memories. I have fully immersed myself in the local culture, very much different from Melbourne. The Gold Coast is a beautiful city that has it all, from the coffee culture, exciting new cafes, the beach lifestyle, surf breaks, hiking spots, to the rolling hills of the Hinterland. And I am fortunate to get to live it every day.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
What I love the most about the Gold Coast are the little things about living here that make it instantly feel like home. Growing up in Mauritius, some of my fondest memories were the days at the beach, swimming in the blue lagoons. The beaches here and the smell of the ocean take me back to those days. I enjoyed being able to walk down to the beach after work or on my days off. Besides, the down-to-earth and friendly nature of the locals, makes this city more special. There is a sense of connectedness.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Mauritius, a small island, off the Eastern Coast of Madagascar, known for its stunning white, sandy beaches and coastline.

At the end of high school, determined to follow in my parents’ footsteps to become a doctor, I moved to Melbourne to undertake a Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine. Indeed, Melbourne coffee was enough to convince me to stay upon completion of my undergraduate and I subsequently accepted a position as a medical scientist at a public hospital. Though I enjoyed my work, the spark I had inside me to become a doctor could not be extinguished. I subsequently made the big move to the Gold Coast in 2017 to study Medicine at Bond University where I met some incredible people as well as my partner.

After graduating from medical school, I could not think of a better place to start my career than on the Gold Coast owing to its lifestyle. I have for the past two years been working at Gold Coast University Hospital as a junior doctor, rotating through various specialties and it has been a journey of discovery, education and lots of emotions.

Can you tell us about your experience being diagnosed with cancer last year?
Being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 30 and at the very beginning of my dream career, was nothing I ever expected. A diagnosis that wormed its way into life’s front row without a ticket. I went from having a normal life to being a cancer patient overnight. The series of events have been embedded in my mind. I went from my GP to an ultrasound, seeing a gynaecologist, then surgery the next week, being inflicted a crushing defeat, seeing the gynae-oncologist the same evening, followed by another surgery the next week for the removal of my ovary and tube. It so happened the same day I was going through my staging surgery that my aunty, diagnosed with metastatic cancer only 6 months ago, lost her battle. It has indeed been a harrowing journey.

As I went from one surgery to another, I was forced to confront the various shades of perhaps, maybe, hopefully and hopefully not. The certainty I once had about my life turning out as planned was gone in a heartbeat. Whilst my colleagues were deciding which specialty of medicine they liked or planning their holiday, I was having to make life-changing decisions in face of the maze of issues.

My future became my parents’ greatest concerns. Nonetheless, I considered myself blessed to have had my family, all my closest friends, my partner and many others, by my side to help me shoulder all my pain, emotion, and dread. The past 12 months have undoubtedly been a long walk in a dark tunnel.

Do you think your medical training helped you deal with the diagnosis?
Perhaps in some way. Being in the medical field helped me probably understand the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options and what the 10-years surveillance would represent for me. I would not say it helped me “deal” with the diagnosis. I was so focused on the to-do-list: monthly blood pricks, booking the regular scans, attending endless appointments, egg freezing cycles; and hence failed to process the diagnosis and to acknowledge my true feelings. The psychological fallout was the hardest. It felt like hitting rock bottom and it took me months to accept my situation, with the help of a psychologist, along with the support of my loved ones.

How has your perspective on life and work changed since your ovarian cancer diagnosis?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis was like a wake-up call. I used to be so career-driven and I have always put work first before everything. However, in one minute I lost control of my own life. This journey has allowed me to appreciate the things that really matters most to me in life. I chose to be happy, to spend time with my loved ones and to live every day to the fullest. I chose to be persistently optimistic despite knowing that no one can offer a guarantee that the cancer will never return. I chose to live in the moment rather than worrying about what the future bodes.

The leap from being a doctor to a cancer patient has also given me a unique chance to appreciate the endless challenges patients face. Admittedly, I now have more empathy and a greater appreciation of the value of each human being underneath the hospital gown.

What advice do you have for other women who may be going through a similar experience?
In face of the impossible odds, take it day by day and keep persevering. It is challenging and at times disappointing but remember you do not have to fight this alone. Rather, have the courage to reach out for help if you are falling apart. When I received my diagnosis, I did not know what to do next both personally and professionally. I did not want to break down in front of my family. I reached out to support groups – doctors who have gone through similar situations and the love and support I received was just uplifting.

I am a firm believer in what Ruskin once said: “The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it”. By that I mean, don’t look at what you have lost or gained by going through this experience, rather reflect over how strong and resilient you have become.

How have you used your personal experience to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and the importance of early detection?
Due to the rarity of my tumour, it took months to get a final diagnosis and during the whole process, the future seemed blurry. I told myself back then that I wanted to be remembered for someone who fought for a future where no woman’s wellbeing will be threatened by ovarian cancer; rather than being remembered as someone who lost to her battle to ovarian cancer. This fuelled inside me a need to advocate for women’s’ living with ovarian cancer, for those lost to ovarian cancer and for future generations of women.

Whilst I considered myself lucky that my cancer was detected at an early stage, it definitely should not come down to luck. Every woman deserves the chance of an early detection test.

I knew that being a woman with a lived experience and a doctor, I could share my story to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and the need for an early detection test. I reached out to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) an independent body dedicated to funding national ovarian cancer research and was asked to serve as an OCRF Community Ambassador. Nearly 12 months later, I’m very proud of the various fundraising events I have been involved from Gold Coast Marathon Fun Run, Witchery White Shirt Campaign and Frocktober.

I have also written a narrative piece, titled ‘On the other side’ for Australian National University (ANU) Link and Grow blog regarding my cancer diagnosis. It was heart-warming and empowering as individuals from outside my friends’ circles reached out to me with such a positive response. I was very honoured to be recognised and awarded by the Australian National University (ANU) for addressing gender inequity in health and medicine through storytelling, for that blog story.

Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Georg Jensen and how it came about?
It had barely been a few months being part of the OCRF community ambassador program and I got an email from the team regarding an opportunity to be involved in the upcoming OCRF X Georg Jensen Heart Pendant Campaign. I was thrilled and said yes immediately. I was absolutely not prepared for this whole experience, but each and everyone behind the scenes and the other incredible women I featured with made me feel so comfortable on the day. I remember walking onto the set with my heart pounding and the feeling of a lump in my throat. As I read my lines from the auto-cue, I could not hold back my tears. The OCRF representative who flew in for the day as well as the Gritty Pretty Productions Team knew how hard this was for me and they were just incredibly supportive. It was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can read more about the OCRF X Georg Jensen Heart Pendant Campaign here.

What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café/coffee spot: Daymaker Espresso in Miami makes the perfect roast. My two other favourite coffee spots are Foster & Black and Tarte. For a laid-back brunch, my top picks will be definitely Bam Bam Bakehouse, Tarte and Daymaker famous Chilli Eggs.
Restaurant: Etsu Izakaya – I love Japanese food and Etsu always delivers a variety
Bar or place for a drink: I’m a teetotaler, however I do enjoy socialising with friends at the Burleigh Pavilion because of the view
Beach: Definitely Burleigh

How do you choose to spend your days off?
My days off are to refresh and recharge. Being a very active person, I usually fit in a workout or an outdoor run most days of the week. However, on my days off, I try to sleep in and go to the gym a little bit later. I also like to spend those days with my partner since we both have busy schedules. It usually involves either a brunch at our favourite local café, a walk on the beach or grabbing fish and chips and heading down to Kirra for sunset. Lastly, I try to handle those unavoidable errands and chores.

Are you ‘drawn’ to art? Would you spend all your ‘Monet’ flitting around art exhibitions? Does the prospect of missing a Pop Art exhibition make you hot under the ‘collage’? Well listen up friends because our contemporary cultural precinct HOTA, Home of the Arts, is gearing up to host Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York, opening 18 February 2023. This world premiere exhibition is sourced entirely from the famed private collection of one of the world’s most prominent art collectors, Jose Mugrabi, which will impress the ‘paints’ right off any art enthusiast. And yes we agree, we should draw the line with the puns right about now, coz they’re getting a bit sketchy.

Celebrating the origins and ongoing legacy of Pop Art, this blockbuster spectacle will showcase more than 40 works never-before-seen here in Australia. Created by the who’s who of legendary artist notoriety, even those of us who nodded off in year nine art class will know these household names. We’re talking art world royalty like 1970’s and 80’s icons Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Andy Warhol in conversation with artists at the top of their trade today.

To ensure things get off to a flying ‘art’, more than ten awe-inspiring works by the Pop Art movement personified, Mr Andy Warhol, will introduce the showcase. Not only did this man redirect the course of art history but thanks to him, Campbell’s soup will always be a vibe. This exciting collection includes iconic portraits Sixteen Jackies (1964) and his deeply personal painting, Cross (1982), and will leave us all fangirling/fanboying/fantheying. But deep breathing guys and take it ‘easel’, coz this exhibition is packed to the ‘crafters’ with a lot more ‘draw’ stopping art.

Speaking of, Keith Haring’s works are also a big drawcard, famed for their morphing of Pop Art and Street Art. Visitors will be privy to a viewing of the celebrated Untitled (Dancing Dogs), alongside one of his earliest works from 1979 and no, there is no connection to the Smashing Pumpkins banger #soz.

Also on the list is one of the most influential artists this century, Jean-Michel Basquiat, including his iconic painting New York, New York (1981), and a collaboration between himself and Andy Warhol. We haven’t been this excited about a collab since Brittany and Madge teamed up in the noughties, or since Ed Sheeran teamed up with e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e.

Other artists on display include Katherine Bernhardt, Kwesi Botchway, George Condo, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Barbara Kruger, Joel Mesler, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Julian Schnabel, Mickalene Thomas and Tom Wesselmann. Contemporary highlights include works by KAWS such as the 2.8-metre-tall sculpture What Party (2018), and If it sees, blind it. There’s also a section from Barbara Kruger’s famed 2009 installation Between being born and dying.

Showing locals and visitors just how culturally on-point we are, this is a unique and bespoke experience not to be missed. So be sm-art, round up your arty farty mates, and get ready to book pronto. Tickets are priced from $25 and will go on sale from Thursday 24^th of November for HOTA members, Monday 28^th for HOTA subscribers and Thursday 1^st of December for the general public.

Where: HOTA, Home of The Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
When: 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday, Saturday 18 February – Sunday 4 June 2023

Words by Bianca Trathen.