About the Artist - Tricia Shands
My artistic practice exists at the active intersection of science and visceral abstraction. Drawing from a foundational career as a physical geographer, cartographer and IT technologist, I perceive the Earth not merely as a static landscape, but as a dynamic canvas continuously sculpted by the immense, elemental forces of wind, water, ice, and fire.
By synthesizing the analytical observation of a scientist with the intuitive exploration of an artist, I aim to capture the raw, tectonic power and fragile beauty of our planet. I translate these geographic narratives through a rigorous, tactile material practice. The distinct mediums I utilize are chosen to reflect different facets of the natural world: soft pastels allow me to capture the shifting light and atmosphere of realistic and abstract landscapes, while the layered, organic nature of encaustics brings depth and life to my depictions of wildlife and terrain.
An article recently asked the question "Why is Art Important?". I believe art is an elemental form of communication… it can inspire emotion, make a social statement or just be enjoyed for its uniqueness or beauty. I will continue to incorporate in my art the things that brings me joy...nature, cartography, geography, technology and science. I currently work from studios in Chesapeake, Virginia and the Outer Banks. Work is also available through The Dare Arts Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave. Manteo, NC.
Art is the most elemental form of communication. Within my work, it becomes a space where the structured logic of science, the mapped histories of cartography, and the unstructured beauty of the natural world seamlessly converge. As my practice evolves deeper into abstract mixed-media collage—integrating topographical maps and distinct textural elements against fluid washes of color and wax—my core objective remains the same. I am charting the intricate topographies of the natural world, creating a visual compass for the emotional connections we forge within it.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ~
MidAtlantic Pastel Society, Artist Member
Southeastern Pastel Society, Artist Member of Excellence
MidAmerica Pastel Society, Artist Member
International Association of Pastel Societies, Artist Member
Bay Area Book Artists, Artist Member
Center for Book Arts, NYC, Artist Member
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS ~
~Sept 19 - Nov 14, 2026~
Virginia Artists Juried Exhibition
Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center
4205 Victoria Blvd, Hampton, VA 23669
Awards/Reception: Sept 26th - 3-5 pm
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm.
Center hours are subject to change, call (757) 727-1490 to confirm
Mon-Fri: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
https://www.hamptonarts.org/the-charles-h-taylor-visual-arts-center/exhibitions
~Oct 2 - Oct 23, 2026~
The Great Art Heist
Dare Arts' Courtroom Gallery
300 Queen Elizabeth Ave, Manteo, NC 27954
Opening Night: Oct 2, 2026 6pm
Current Gallery Hours:
Tues-Fri: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sat: 10:00am-4:00pm
Sun-Mon: Closed
https://www.darearts.org/
~Oct 27 - Dec 5, 2026~
10th Annual Judged Show, “Expressions in Pastels”
The Art Gallery at Brightpoint
Eliades Hall, E107
Brightpoint Community College
800 Charter Colony Parkway, Midlothian, VA 23114
Reception and Awards Presentation: Nov 5, 5- 7 pm
Current Gallery Hours:
Mon-Fri, 12:00-4:00 pm
and by appointment (pwinn@brightpoint.edu)
https://www.brightpoint.edu/
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SELECT EXHIBITIONS ~
"Expressions in Pastels" Exhibit, Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, Hampton, VA, Jul-Aug 2026
Tiny Art Big Room Dare Arts Invitational Exhibit, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Jun 2026
29th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, May 2026
35th International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, May 2026
Richmond Cedarfield Gallery Exhibit, Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, Richmond, VA, Apr-Jun 2026
"My Outer Banks" Exhibit, Glenn Eure Ghost Fleet Gallery, Nags Head, NC, Apr-May 2026
"Showcasing Pastels" Exhibit, MAPs, Williamsburg Stryker Center, Williamsburg, VA, Apr-May 2026
48th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Feb 2026
Grand Art Show, The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education, Montpelier, VA, 2025
“Luminosity”, 2025 Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2025
"Showcasing Pastels" 8th Annual Judged Members Exhibit, MAPs, Montpelier Center for Arts, Montpelier, VA, Oct-Nov 2025
The Great Art Heist, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Oct 2025
28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, May 2025
34th International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, May 2025
47th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, Feb 2025
“All About Pastel” Spring Members Juried Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, Alpharetta Arts Center, GA, 2025
“Luminosity” Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2024
The Great Art Heist, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
"Expressions in Pastels" 8th Annual Judged Members Exhibit, Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, Purcell Gallery, Louisa, VA, 2024
27th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
33rd International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, 2024
46th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
32nd International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, 2023