Dare to be BOLD!

I am taking part in 'SHAVE FOR A CURE 2013' and I will be shaving my head on Saturday March 23rd in Brisbane.

In an attempt to raise as much money as possible for the Leukaemia Foundation I have organised a group art exhibition titled 'Empowerment' to be held at Art & Design Precinct in Brisbane's West End. The show will open with my head shave event and will run until April 4th.

I am currently seeking sponsorship for this event and any interested businesses are invited to contact me for more information. All sponsors will receive extensive advertising in lead up to the show as well as on the night. Any Artists that are interested in donating or entering a work for the exhibition should contact me for an Entry Form.

All other donations will be gratefully received and may be done so online by visiting:
http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/Tamaraarmstrong

My decision to shave my head was born after witnessing my very brave sister-in-law Bri Armstrong in March of this year, doing just that. She selflessly devoted her time and energy to this great cause after a close friend of hers was diagnosed with a Sarcoma. Bri's courageous efforts were very powerful and contagious and after seeing her do this I felt I needed to do something as well. It was not until December 1st that I actually verbalised the decision to shave, when I was fortunate enough to hear Michelle Law speak at the TedxSouthbankWomen Conference at the State Library in Brisbane. Her speech was truly inspiring and reminded me of my desire to shave my head.

Here is the link to the transcript of Michelle's speech from the event 'A bald woman's guide to survival':
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4404420.html

While this day consisted of many empowering speakers (which I am yet to catch you all up on! Next blog entry I promise), it was Michelle's speech in particular that struck a chord. I personally feel it is very important to set an example where ever possible. My art has given me a voice and through Facebook and Blogger I have found a platform to share my ideas and journey. I felt that I had enough power and enough people listening and watching to set an example for young people and women in particular...that beauty truly does come from within. Michelle pointed out in her speech that even after her hair had grown back, she still found something else about her appearance to obsess over.

This rings true for me and many women I know. We are always looking to change something about our appearance, but why don't we look for more ways to change our mindset and the opinions of society in general. For many women (and men) baldness is not a deliberate choice. For some this choice is made by genetics, the onset of alopecia or the side effects of chemotherapy and where are their empowering bald role models?? Too many of us have been led to believe that our exterior is what makes us desirable, beautiful or even acceptable. I am no different to anyone else when it comes to this, but being able to recognise this sad fact should be enough motivation to set out and attempt to create change.










So here it is! I am shaving my head and I absolutely cannot wait to get my bald on.

The reactions to this statement have been varied, most reactions include shock followed by questioning..."What? Really? Why??". Once I make it clear that I am doing it to raise money for Leukaemia some seem to be more accepting. Yet others still seem confused by my decision. Observing this is interesting yet frustrating as well. If I had just decided to shave my head without first announcing it or signing up for 'Shave for a cure' I honestly don't think the reactions would have been positive. Whilst I can't prove this theory I am sure many would see this as an attempt to be outrageous or perhaps even a little crazy. Either way it is happening and if I can inspire, empower or change the views of just a few than I will be happy.

I have already managed to convince one other willing participant to get on board! The lovely Leslie McLauchlan from Lil Vintage. Leslie has also decided to shave her head for various personal reasons, but one incredibly good reason, in memory of a dear friend who was taken far too soon.
Please visit or share her profile page and donate if you can:
http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=465245

If you too have been thinking about joining the Shave for a Cure campaign, I implore you to make 2013 the year! What a New Year's Resolution that would be. Empower yourself and others and raise some much needed funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Who cares what anyone will think? As Michelle states: "KNOW YOUR WORTH".

It's never too late to become who you might have been. T.S. Elliott. 



Tamara x

Think it, wish it, see it

I know I have harped on and on about the power of dreams this year, but I am genuinely still surprised when they actually manifest...because they do!! The mind is a truly powerful thing, back that up with belief and motivation and you would be seriously FREAKED out at what can materialise.

I am a dreamer, always have been, always will be. My teachers' in Primary school picked up on it and I was always embarrassed when my name would be called out in class, waking me from a daydream and informing me to stop staring out the window. Of course I now understand their frustrations having become a teacher myself...an Art teacher no less! Daily I am dealing with classes half filled with teenage dreamers...because the Arty students are of course the most CREATIVE!

I also remember a particular day in Year 6 where our teacher had us fill in a quiz to find out whether or not we were EXTROVERTS or INTROVERTS. I loved this lesson!! I finally found a label for a bunch of qualities that I saw in myself and honestly thought to be, well...rather weird. I was the kid that played in my room on my own, quite happily for hours on end. While I also enjoyed playing Barbie's with my friends, I treasured the moment when they would finally leave so that I could whisk myself (and my dolls) away to the worlds I created in my mind. YEP I was one of THOSE weirdos!!!

Flash forward to a student free day in the Resource Centre of the small South West state high school I was first posted to. There we were, a whole school staff (of 25) listening to a strangely happy man (with what appeared to be a permed mullet...I kid you not) telling us all about his Personality Classification system, which was loosely based on the Extroversion Introversion Test. Basically he had categorised his outcomes with headings taken from the Animal Kingdom. Eagles, Kangaroos and Emus were the popular variety for those who had taken up the Teaching profession. He then got everyone to raise their hands on completion of the test to determine that yes, most of the staff group were made up of Eagles and Emus (or something to that effect). Everyone was laughing and revelling in their common traits... all except for me. Turns out I was a Dolphin! A lonely Dolphin too! The only other person in the room that was a Dolphin was the man with the permed mullet and he seemed to take great pleasure whilst informing me of this. It was as if he thought I might join his pod of Dolphins and swim off into the sunset. I was MORTIFIED!!! It didn't help that my colleagues roared with laughter. I did quickly realise that being unique (and an intuitive, feeling, sensitive person) is something to be proud of and the permed mullet man also helped assure me of this....yikes!!

Flash forward again to March 2012.
A lovely and highly intelligent lady friend of mine (let's call her Laura E) shared the following link on Facebook:
'The Power of Introverts': http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html

I hope you clicked on this link!! It could change your life too!! Imperative viewing...for some.

I AM A POWERFUL INTROVERT...ME, YES ME!!
Yep, I'm somewhere on the Introvert side of the scale. I'm nowhere near as shy as I used to be...just ask my Aunties and Uncles! I certainly gain energy from others, but I process that energy best on my own.

So yeah I was totally hooked on TED talks after viewing this. This is just what I need, inspiring words delivered in an entertaining and informative way and conveniently available right here on the internet...every single day.

 TED talks are AMAZING!!! The topics you can find and the time you can waste...I mean invest, is just endless. I have since used them as teaching resources in my classroom and to great effect. I have shared them with my friends on Facebook and listened to them on my headphones while falling asleep at night. I easily spent 3 days straight on the June school holidays watching them back to back whilst painting. They inspired me to return to school in Term 3 and complete that Long Service Leave Application.

Anyway back to the power of dreams (sorry for the RAMBLE...thank you if you are still reading), I gave myself goosebumps at the thought of attending a TED talk. Sitting in a room full of intelligent and optimistic dreamers and doers would have to be an amazing experience. Getting to hear the words of those who have dared to try, who have devoted their life to their passion and succeeded, would surely be beyond incredible. I said to my Husband, before I die I want to attend a TED talk. He agreed that it would be a great experience, but we both decided it would SURELY cost a huge amount of money and would SURELY be open to a select few. So I left it at that...a pipe dream.

So as you can imagine when I found out the TED talks were hosting a local TEDx Conference in...BRISBANE....for WOMEN...this YEAR.......I just about lost it!

I instantly liked their Facebook page and started searching for ways to attend, ticket prices, conditions etc. Turns out 100 lucky people would be selected from an online application process. They were seeking 'Women looking to be EMPOWERED' with an optimistic mind set. Surely I fit both of these categories considering I'm about to take the BIG LEAP to follow my ultimate dream goal???? Plus I am getting a little scared as each day passes...that this is actually going to happen.

Matt (the very supportive and encouraging Husband) located the REGISTRATION process and I carefully answered the 'More about me' section and read it over. Deleted it. Wrote it again. Re-worded it. Deleted it. Read it aloud. Got angry at myself and wrote it out again. Then finally hit 'Submit'. Then read it again. Hated it. Closed it and forgot about it...as much as I can forget about anything remotely possible!

UNTIL Sunday morning when I received a congratulatory email for TEDxSouthbankWomen inviting me to attend the Conference as a delegate...FREE of charge. Yep, I totally lost it...in the car...while Matt was driving and pleading with me to stop bouncing around and basically just to calm down.

That's right, I actually got selected from many many applicants to attend the TEDxSouthbankWomen event on December 1st. I still cannot believe it, I'm beside myself with excitement.

What is TEDx and why is this so exciting?

Well for those of you who are yet to discover TED Talks, allow me to attempt to enlighten and change your whole world. No seriously this will change the way you think and if not, well I apologise for getting your hopes up.

This is taken from www.ted.com/

Our mission: Spreading ideas. 
We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you're an important part of it. 

Basically it is AWESOME, INSPIRING people giving the speech of their lives about their passions and ideas to change the world for the better!! They are all online and you all need to turn off the television and get online to watch as many as you can...immediately. 

So the TEDx Conference for Women that I am attending is a local event with a the theme of: EMPOWERMENT. The line up of speakers come from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and you can read more about them here:

http://tedxsouthbankwomen.com/speakers/

This is just further proof that if you really really want something bad enough, it can materialise!! Visualisation is KEY. I promise to report back on my experience as a TEDxSouthBankWomen Delegate in December. 11 days to go....

BIG plans for 2013

After deciding to take the leap into full time art in 2013 it seems that all my stars and planets have aligned. The universe has thrown open door after door and I could not be more excited about this next phase in my life. 

I have been filled with great confidence that next year will only be bigger, better and 100% more productive as my painting will take the FOCUS from January to June as I will be on long service leave from Education QLD. So with all of that time to paint and continue getting my work out there I decided I will certainly pursue more Solo Show opportunities in 2013. And wouldn't you know it, before I even got the chance to vocalise that plan...opportunity has yet again come knocking.

 I received this lovely email from Jo The Art Director at D-Bar Gallery:

Hi Tamara,

Hope you are well,

We have had and keep having a great positive response to your paintings and would

like to offer you the opportunity to be one of our featured artists for a month next year

here at d’bar gallery !

If you would like to jump on board, I have May or June available. 

Let me know if you would like to take this opportunity to exhibit a new collection of your work

in our main gallery area! As we would love to feature

you as an artist here.

Happy to answer any questions etc…

Have a great day !

Photos courtesy of Cafe D-Bar

So of course I said 'No!' as I want to keep my options open....just kidding! Of course I said yes and I can now confirm that I will have a brand spanking new collection of works on show in the main Gallery area for the month of May in 2013. The timing could not be more perfect and I'm am so excited to have the wider exposure in such a gorgeous location. Looking forward to another fun opening night!

This is the main space where feature artist have their work displayed at D-Bar Art Gallery

If you have been following my story you will know that I only had my first ever Solo Show in October of 2011 at Made. Creative Space in Toowoomba. It too was a huge deal for me and the show was close to sold out. I could not have been happier with the way it all panned out. So I'm itching for school to wrap up this year so I can get stuck into it...without the added guilt of eating into my marking, planning and teaching time. 

http://www.madecreativespace.com

Work on show at Made. Creative Space in Toowoomba last year.
Photos courtesy of Made. Creative Space

So to those of you who are wondering what I will be doing with all of this extra time, I want to assure you that I will not simply be sitting at home painting and posting pics on Facebook. I am under no illusions that being a FULL TIME ARTIST means sleeping in, listening to music and making Art.  I am fully aware that it takes hard work, dedication, motivation, positivity and determination to sustain this lifestyle. I know this because I have already been doing it for the past year and a half at least, on top of teaching full time and squeezing in some sort of social life. So whilst the juggling keeps me busy I have to admit I'm exhausted most of the time (but always an elated type of exhaustion) and I do worry that I could crash and burn at any given moment...which would not be cool.  


So given the chance (thank you ED QLD for long service leave!!!) I'm taking it and running. I'm very excited to see what I am capable of achieving when Art becomes my sole focus for the first 6 months. The sky is the limit. Of course I have so much I want to achieve during my time off, on top of painting plenty of new works I will also be working my way through this little Goal Sheet:

 - Hippie Art Road Trip with my support crew (Matt).

We will be hitting the road for a month long driving tour hitting all the hotspots between here and Tasmania. This trip is intended to fulfil many desires, from seeing places in our own Country we have long lusted to see, visiting and catching up with friends and family, to scoping out new exhibiting opportunities and networking with other creative minds... and of course to have an inspiring and amazingly fun Summer Adventure!

- Creating a range of COMMERCIAL products such as gift cards, posters, phone covers, T-Shirts, diaries and maybe even TEA TOWELS...cringe!!! The intention would be to send these out to a wider range of interstate businesses and sell online.

- Launching new business goals and directions including Illustration work, photography, art workshops, collaborations with other artists, applying for Art Residences and opening an online shop which would be attached to my web page.

- Creating larger works for Competition Entries in 2013...I always intend on entering more shows but sell my work before I get a chance to enter it (again this is not necessarily a bad thing). With more time comes MORE spare paintings :)

- Attending more Creative Classes...not teaching them myself and attending more week night Exhibition openings and Artist talks that I have previously been unable to do with 'school night' curfews :)

- Even MORE networking and promoting online and in person. Driving here there and everywhere to get my art out there!

That should certainly keep me busy and motivated and who knows I may cross it all off sooner than expected...if that's the case there's more I'm wanting to unleash on the world, so stay tuned.

The way I see it you only get out what you put in. If you don't ask, you don't receive and if you put your plans into action there is nothing to regret. Yep all of those things your parents, coaches and primary school teachers told you are TRUE.


If you own or know anyone that owns a creative business, boutique or gallery and are based somewhere between here and Tasmania then drop me an email with their details. I want to line up as many meetings with creative folks outside of QLD as possible. In fact if you yourself are an artist or Art lover wanting to purchase or see my work in the flesh this could be the perfect opportunity to commission a work or order prints and have them delivered to your door! 

Tamara x

If I could choose...

Artwork by Keith Arnatt

If I had to pinpoint the first time I came across the 'Politics' involved with declaring oneself an artist, it would have to have been on my very first day at University...way back in the year 2000. There we all were, a bunch of randoms packed into a very dark, very hot little room with black painted walls and a rickety old air con unit working double time to cool us down during a typical Queensland Summer's day. It was the upper level of the first year's studio space on Merivale Street in South Brisbane, which also seemed to be the unknown and often forgotten about campus grounds belonging to QUT.

It was easy to spot the mature age students, the gay guys and gay girls, the eccentrics, the introverts and of course the baby faced, fresh out of high school...kids. Yep I was one of those babies! What wasn't so easy to spot was the great divide that was soon to come between those who were there to study straight Visual Art and those (like myself) who were cramming in a Double Degree of Vis Arts & Secondary Education in four years. Everyone seemed to be on a level playing field in that dark little room for the first 3 hours, but in the harsh daylight of our designated 'Lunch' break, the cracks in the friendly smiles started to appear.

Sadly and much to my surprise the group soon split into those who would be Teachers and those who would be full time, practicing Artists. This made me sad for many reasons. I had started to form some great bonds with other students who were not studying Education and it seemed they were encouraged by other students not to associate with the "Teacher Sell Outs"...their words, not mine. Also I found myself questioning my worthiness to continue being or even considering myself an Artist. I knew that I had submitted my portfolio like everyone else in that building and had been successfully accepted into the University after sitting through my hour long interview with the head of the Visual Arts Department, but yet it seemed to be an uneven playing field after all.

I have no doubt you have heard the phrase 'Those who can, do and those who can't, teach'. Well it seemed to be brought up more often than not throughout my first year at University, I guess all of us were thinking it and worrying about the judgment of our choices. For me teaching was a practical career choice which I had no idea would turn out to be a perfect fit! I desperately wanted to be an Artist...and certainly I still want for that. But when push came to shove I chose to tack on that Education Degree to ensure I would get a paying job and be capable of paying Mr Howard back his generous HECS student loan. Of course it was 3 years into my course before I actually got the chance to be in a classroom as a teacher and luckily for me I LOVED IT!!! Unfortunately for some of my fellow peers, this was not the case and some ended up changing their degrees so close to the finishing line.

Thank you Capstick13 on Flickr for this pic.

Back to my point....there seems to be no escaping the labeling, judging and POLITICS involved with declaring oneself an Artist and I just have to say I think it STINKS!! The worse offenders for this, surprisingly are ARTISTS, not the critics as one might assume. So I stupidly have been worried for far too long what other Artists have thought of me, my choices and my work. Why, I hear you ask?? Well I dunno really! But my guess would be a desire for respect, mutual admiration and  acceptance. I know, it's a common desire and frankly it is one we each deserve, irrespective of our careers and chosen pathways.


So I know fully well I will be labelled as Commercial ( which I guess fits, but damn it sounds so harsh...like Commercial Music....ick!) if I keep on selling works at a rate of knots. Which leads to another dark, hidden secret of the Art World. Did you know it's apparently bad to sell so much work if you want to be considered a serious artist??? According to some this is apparently the case...arghhhhh!!! Also one should never include airy fairy experiences on one's professional artist C.V. if they want Galleries to take them serious, so don't hang your work in cafe's and retail spaces. Oh yeah and don't post your work on Facebook or other Social Media sites too much, because people will copy your work or republish it as their own!!! Amazingly this is the kind of advice I have been given or have read or even overheard in conversation and I have done everything 'they' supposedly tell you not to do and so far I'm pretty satisfied with the way it's all turning out.

As for the labels and labeling I say....BRING IT ON!! Do your worse, I sincerely invite you. But if I could choose one label it would have to be 'Prolific'. Here are 6 reasons why (I like even numbers):
1. It has the word 'Pro' in it and that can't be bad right? Well especially not if I want to be taken serious as a SERIOUS Arteeeeest Darling :)
2. Many Great Artists were described as 'Prolific' and I plan on being described as a 'Great Artist' too!!! (Why stop at one label??)
3. 'Prolific' rhymes with 'Terrific'...which I also aspire to be...on a daily basis.
4. It's a crap load better than 'Commercial'!
5. It would set the bar high and keep my daily motivation on the up!
6. Who could question your practice if you made Art consistently, passionately and honestly...???

So there's my thoughts about 'Art Politics', Labels and turning it into Motivation. I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences and views too.
Tamara x

Owl LOVE

They are curious looking creatures, with their big piercing eyes and fluffed up feathery heads and boy do they seem to sell fast!

Since attempting my first ever owl piece in January this year, I have had many requests to keep painting more! The work that has been selling at Cafe Conti has largely been of Owls and Rabbits. So you guessed it, I'm going to keep on painting more. I have become really familiar with the lines, shapes and forms of a few varieties of owls and I am finding much pleasure in sketching and painting them. I am particularly fond of painting their eyes as they are so brightly set with those enlarged pupils, which for some reason are just so mesmerising and almost hypnotic. So here is a little collection of images for all of the OWL OBSESSED out there. Hope you ENJOY.

Tamara xx

Symptoms of an Awakening

I recently found a graphic online that listed 12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening that really summed up the way I have been feeling.
Here they are:

1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.

2. Frequent attacks of smiling.

3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.

4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience.

6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

7. A loss of ability to worry.

8. A loss of interest in conflict.

9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

10. A loss of interest in judging others.

11. A loss of interest in judging self.

12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything in return.

While I have always believed in some kind of higher power, I am very much coming to terms with the strongest power in life and that is ourselves. Getting back into my art over the last few years happened for a number of personal reasons, but ultimately I think it has taken off due to my own confidence taking off. I have reached a point in my life where inner balance and harmony has been clearer to see and feel and while this all sounds mushy (I apologise for that) it honestly does feel like I have had some kind of Spiritual Awakening and it really stems from within. 


Everything that happens in our lives leads us to certain points and what we choose to do at each point ultimately defines our destiny. I know this now, as being a full time Visual Artist was always a dream and for me this dream seemed impractical and vastly unachievable...until I realised that was just FEAR talking. Becoming a teacher of Visual Art rather than taking the 'Artist' leap at age 21, was something that was meant to happen for me. I don't regret a single experience that I have had in my life up to this point and I truly think had I have tried to pursue my practice any earlier than I did, my personal aesthetic would have taken a lot longer to get to reach this level of resolution. 

So the moral of this little story is;
Realise your potential and hear the calling. Don't ignore it or let FEAR change your mind. Look for the positives in every situation and the uncontrollable smiling will be your biggest side effect! I am super happy to inform the world that as of January 2013 I will be working as a full time artist and going part time with my teaching. That's right my dream is coming true and I could not be more excited. 

The two works pictured here have been created since having my Inner Awakening and hence are titled 'Symptoms of an Awakening'. Both will go on show at Deli Vino in early September along with many other new works.
Enjoy xx

Winning GOLD!

Cafe Conti has informed me that I am officially the HIGHEST and FASTEST selling artist to have ever displayed their work. Makes me feel like an Olympian!!! Here are some pics of my work on display at Cafe Conti in Wilston. It has been a busy few weeks painting works to quickly replace those that have sold, but the exposure and sales have made it worthwhile.

I have the wall space until Sunday Sept 2nd, so fingers are crossed the next few weeks go as well as the first few did.

Plenty to be HAPPY about.

So I am having another GIVEAWAY on Facebook! That's right another one. This time I'm giving away money, not because I'm rolling in it but because I am a firm believer in giving back. I know very well that my work would not have received the love and attention it has without the help of my many friends, loved ones and a truck load of kind liker's (STRANGERS) on Facebook. I have said it before and I will say it again...Your happiness feeds my happiness and it truly makes me HAPPY if my work brightens your day. So THANK YOU again and again! 




So there are a couple of little rules and loop holes to leap through in order to be eligible for a $100 voucher! You only have to choose one, I'm not expecting anyone to do all four....That would just be harsh! It's not like I'm trying to reach more people or anything ;p (Please note 'sarcasm' is hard to achieve in written form, well for me it is anyway).


Here they are:
1. Follow my blog on Blogger 'My Friend can paint' (This does not include current followers sorry...all 15 of you).
2. Share the link to My friend can paint with an active tag. (So I know you you went through with it).
3. Share the link to my Webpage www.tamaraarmstrong.com on Facebook. (Also with an active tag). 
4. Refer 5 friends to Like my page and get them to drop (and tag) your name on 'My friend can paint's timeline. 


The winner will be announced on the 1st of September 2012 and the voucher is valid for 12 months. Any work that I post in the 'See it Like it Buy it' album on my Facebook page, between now and this time next year, can be purchased with the voucher. Obviously if the work is priced higher than $100 the gap will need to be paid for by the winner. 


So please share my blog, or my Website link or my Facebook page and get those active tags into play and you could be a winner!


Much love,
Tamara x

We have lift off.

That's right I finally launched my website...no more excuse making and time wasting and talking about what I'm going to do. I just did it!

As this is my first ever website, I decided to keep the budget low and do it myself. It is by no means amazing, but I want my images to take the focus. So kept it plain and simple. The main reason for having a website is to present my work professionally and refer potential galleries and buyers to a site that is not affiliated with social mediums such as Facebook and Blogger (despite how much GOODNESS these two sites have brought me). Entering works into competitions and applying for artist residences also require website links to see my C.V.

So here is the link. Might not be as exciting for anyone but me :)

www.tamaraarmstrong.com

One Way Street Party...Success!!

The Surfer's Paradise Festival event; One Way Street Party was yesterday and what a day it was! So many creatives gathered to show off their talents to the many visitors and Gold Coast locals and overall it was a very colourful day.

I was drawing live for Community Hart's Chalk It and thanks to many kind viewers I was voted the winner of People's Choice Award.

Here are some more action pictures from earlier in the day.

Thank you Daniel Saban for the photos.

What I can do...

NEWS NEWS NEWS!!! For all OLD and NEW LIKERS :)

Hi again and welcome to all new likers!!
If you have only stumbled across my page recently here are a few things you should know about me, just to keep you all up to date and well informed:
I currently do NOT attend any markets on Tamborine Mountain or on the Gold Coast. I am no longer able to devote the time to these events, as I do teach high school Art full time and weekends are my only time to paint. Any work you see posted on this page is available directly from me (unless otherwise stated) and 100% of the stated prices goes to me..the artist! I am more than happy to arrange live viewings of any work you admire, by special appointment at my home on Tamborine Mountain.

Most works can be posted or couriered anywhere within Australia and I am more than happy to look into postage options for international buyers, but be aware all postage and handling expenses are additional to price of work.

If you know of any businesses in your local area which you feel my work would be well suited to, please don't hesitate to post their details on my Timeline or via a message to my inbox. Without the help of my many likers I would not have even known about some of the amazing opportunities for exhibiting that were previously available.

I do also accept commissions for special requests as long as you give me plenty of notice (8 weeks minimum) and the request fits in with my painting style. Please do not ask me to copy another artist's work or paint in a style that is different to mine, it's just not how I like to operate.

If you have any other questions about my work or what I can or can't do please ask away! My email address is tarmsio@gmail.com.

Lastly, please continue to spread the word "My friend can paint!!!". I like to celebrate each time I gain a new 100 likers by hosting online Auctions, with original works that start at very reasonable prices. Thanks again for all of your support and kind compliments, it really helps motivate me and keep my creativity flowing!
Much love,
Tamara x

Surfer's Paradise One Way Street Party

I went along to this great event last year and I still remember thinking how great it would be to take part in this cultural milestone for good old Surfer's, which let's face it has not had the best of wraps lately! Free beach concerts, healthy living advice, street art, food and family fun are thrown at the area's visitors over the cold months of June and July and yes this year I am taking part...WOOHOO!!! Thanks to some good old Facebook networking I was once again LUCKY enough to cross paths with Elysium Greene of Community Hart. She immediately asked me to climb on board the One Way Street Party Bus and of course I could not say yes fast enough :)

So to cut a long winded story short I will be creating some chalk drawings on part of a 30m long black primed canvas in Alison Street, Surfer's Paradise tomorrow at some point between the hours of 11am-8pm. There will also be a new Hairy Lady on show as part of a Pop Up Street Gallery showcasing 36 GC artists. My work is titled 'Symptoms of an Awakening' and was basically the product of feeling FANTASTIC about my life right now.

Community Hart supports all local artists and the friendly team are all hardworking artists themselves, slogging it out for the rest of us with little funding. I think they deserve gold medals for their efforts and passion and will be forwarding my membership application soon.

Support these great CREATIVES by checking out their website:
http://www.communityhart.com/Home_Page.php

If you are looking for a way to enjoy the sunshine tomorrow come along to One Way Street Party and say hi if you see me....

'Symptoms of an Awakening'
My entry into the One Way Street Art Pop Up Gallery

Elysium Greene pictured centre...Creative Leader at Community Hart...plugging the One Way Party.

Jumping high in July!

So I am kicking goals this month with plenty of LOVE coming from the ART Universe. I am super excited to have three businesses showcasing my work from now through to September and October. 

Firstly I am finally on display in my home land of Tamborine Mountain with 6 works available from a new shop on Yuulong Street North Tamborine 'Lil' Vintage & Handmade'. Affordable Vintage clothes and finds, records, accessories and local handmade wares. I was having a sticky at this cute little store with a friend last Friday and thought I would mention 'My friend can paint' to the store owner Leslie and the very next day I received a lovely phone call from her asking me to show my work for 8 weeks!

A month ago I sent an email to Cafe D'Bar after having many friends tell me that my work would look great in the Art Gallery here. To my surprise the Art Director Jo was familiar with my work, having seen me on Facebook and at Miami Marketta...always surprised by this. So she invited me down to meet her with a selection of my available work and we booked a time for July. A short trip down to Coolangatta was well worth it, as Jo took 4 of my paintings to showcase over 3 months. This gallery is amazing for so many reasons. Firstly the location is spectacular, directly across the street from the light house and overlooking the ocean and famous surf haven Duranbah...breath taking. Secondly they house a huge variety of artworks and wares by local Gold Coast artists and the surrounds. Thirdly the staff are so supportive, sincere and friendly! Three big ticks for me :)

Next weekend I will be delivering 8 artworks to Cafe Conte in the Brisbane suburb of Wilston, thanks to my Dad and Step Mother's bragging to Cafe owner Graham. Cafe Conte have won the hearts of many Brisbane diners with their creative menu...which I can also vouch for, having recently enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast of Sweet Corn Fritters served with smoked salmon, 2 poached eggs, rocket and avocado. Delicious! This opportunity came up suddenly so I am doing my best to get a cohesive collection of works together by Saturday. Thank God for school holidays...which are sadly coming to an end :(

Should you be in any of these areas, take the time to actually view my work in real life and let me know your thoughts.

Lil' Vintage & Handmade
2 Yuulong Street, North Tamborine
Open Wed-Sun 10-4

'Ice Queen Fro' Now available at Lil' Vintage

Cafe D'Bar Art Gallery

'With wide eyes watching'
New work now available at Cafe D'Bar

275 Boundary Street  Coolangatta QLD 4225

Cafe Conte

1/102 Kedron Brook Road  Wilston QLD 4051

'Blue Eyed Rabbit'
Will be available at Cafe Conte as of 14th July.