About the Artist - Tricia Shands
A cartographer... an IT professional… a science geek…
a geographer… a traveler… and now a working artist.
Originally from Massachusetts, Tricia lived in The Berkshires and later Essex County prior to moving south to Tidewater Virginia. Art and science have been a large part of her life. Although she has always drawn and painted she found her art took a backseat to her other loves...computers and the cartographic sciences. It’s now time to bring those parts together...
As a professional artist and a physical geographer, she sees the world as a masterpiece sculpted by immense forces. The planet's surface is a canvas, and the elements—wind, water, ice, and fire—are its brushes. Physical geography isn't just a science; it's a profound source of visual and emotional inspiration. She believes that thinking like a scientist and creating like an artist, blending observation with imagination leads to the capture of the raw power and beauty of our Earth whether in torn paper, pastels or bees wax and resin.
An article recently asked the question "Why is Art Important?". She believes art is an elemental form of communication… it can inspire emotion, make a social statement or just be enjoyed for its uniqueness or beauty. She'll continue to incorporate in her art the things that bring her joy...nature, cartography, geography, technology and science. Tricia currently works from her studios in Virginia and the Outer Banks. Work is also available through The Dare Arts Gallery, 300 Queen Elizabeth Ave. Manteo, NC
As an artist she loves to explore and experiment with new techniques and mediums. Inspired by science and technology although her art background began as realistic landscapes in pastel and oil, she has discovered a love for abstract collage and mediums like encaustics. She hopes to move to larger formats and continue to experiment with 3-d assemblage.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ~
MidAtlantic Pastel Society, Artist Member
Southeastern Pastel Society, Artist Member
Pastel Society of Colorado, Artist Member
International Association of Pastel Societies, Artist Member
Bay Area Book Artists, Artist Member
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS ~
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Oct 2 - Nov 21, 2025
"Showcasing Pastels", Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, Fall Exhibit
The Montpelier Center for Arts & Education
17205 Mountain Road, Montpelier, Virginia 23192
Mon-Fri: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Oct 3 - Oct 23, 2025
“The Great Art Heist”
Online and at Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery
300 Queen Elizabeth Ave. Manteo, NC 27954
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm, Saturday: 10am-4pm
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SELECT EXHIBITIONS ~
28th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2025
34th International Miniature Art Show, Seaside Art Gallery, Nags Head, NC, 2025
47th Annual Frank Stick Memorial Art Show, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2025
“All About Pastel”, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2025 Spring Members Juried Exhibition, Alpharetta Arts Center, GA, 2025
“Luminosity”, Southeastern Pastel Society, 2024 Juried Virtual International Open Exhibition, 2024
“The Great Art Heist”, Dare Art Gallery, Manteo, NC, 2024
"Expressions in Pastels", Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society, 8th Annual Judged Members Exhibit, 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