Sunday, July 8, 2012

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.

Friday, July 6, 2012

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

Thursday, July 5, 2012

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.