Page 16 - Port Douglas Magazine 44

WORDS by Maura Mancini

FOR DECADES, Tania Heben has captured the essence of Port Douglas and tropical
North Queensland landscapes with her vivid oil paintings and unmistakable style.
More than just images, her works don’t just depict the region — it preserves its
essence, its light, its enduring beauty and unique character.
I first encountered Tania’s work in a personal way. A large painting in my father-in-law’s
home — a commissioned piece from the 1990s — has always drawn my admiration.
Titled View From The Hill, it captures the breathtaking yet timeless view from Flagstaff
Hill gazing over the Dickson Inlet. The scene, though painted years ago, remains as
vibrant as the day it was created.
When I finally met Tania, accompanied by her beloved little dog, I was struck by her
energy and elegance. Now in her 80s, she remains as passionate and engaged as ever.
Her life - defined by resilience, creativity, and connection to the places she paints - is as
inspiring as her work.
TANIA A LIFE PAINTED IN COLOUR

Born in Germany to Russian parents, Tania arrived in Australia in 1950. She spent years
working as a nurse and midwife, traveling the world. In 1987, after settling in Far North
HEBEN Queensland, she made the bold choice to leave nursing behind and commit fully to
painting. “It was the first time I really saw colour,” she recalls. That moment shaped the
expressive palette that defines her work today.
Choosing art over a stable career was not easy. Many advised against it, but Tania’s
passion propelled her forward. Her commissioned works became sought after, not just
PORTRAITS OF in Port Douglas but internationally, reaching as far as Fiji, where she created a series
inspired by the island life.
PORT DOUGLAS IN Oil painting remains her medium of choice, despite the challenges of the tropical climate.

OIL AND MEMORY The slow-drying nature of the paint allows her to build layers of depth and luminosity,
giving her canvases a richness that makes them feel almost alive.