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