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.

It comes from within and it can be shared.

I recently realised that I have given more paintings away this year than I have sold or even painted. I put this down to a few good reasons:

1. I had more paintings lying around than I had time to actually paint.
2. I get far more gratification from seeing my work enjoyed than I do from making money off of them.
3. I realise I have a gift and I believe it should be shared.

 My work deals with issues of Identity, Desire and Beauty but ultimately it is an expression of what makes me happy and what I enjoy. Painting or any other form of expression is a highly self-indulgent act and few do it for money. While it is a dream of mine to work as a full time artist (not that it would seem like work) I feel guilty about actually spending my time on something so selfish. It has taken sharing my work on a public forum such as Facebook to fully realise that my Art actually makes others happy. This certainly softens the feelings of guilt and pure indulgence but more than anything it instills a greater desire to give.

On reflection of my life and recent practice I have realised more about myself as a person than I ever had before. I have found a confidence to express myself without fear of judgment and I have found an outlet for my inner voice. In doing so I have gained new found friends and supporters, I have continued to feel supported by those who always have been there for me but unfortunately I have seen the dark side of personal success as well. There will always be someone out there wanting to take advantage of your generosity, make money off your efforts without putting in their own and those who envy your drive and believe you to be 'greedy' or 'lucky'. This infuriates me but I know that I am a person who draws strength from within, while these negative individuals steal from others to get theirs. There's no true way to please everyone...but for those who are worth it the return is inevitable and worthwhile.

 So while my time for painting has been limited this year, my ideas and self-realisation have doubled. I know that my happiness comes from within and I intend to keep sharing it through my art in the hope to make others happy. I also know the act of giving is rewarded a thousand times over and I choose not to lose sight of that. I hope to one day be remembered as 'driven by creativity, love and pure happiness' and never thought of as 'self-indulgent' or 'lucky'! I also realise this is my next insecurity to overcome, because I know it doesn't matter what others think anyway.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

A little bit of exposure

It is always encouraging to get great feedback on your work and compliments certainly help feed my motivation. Seeing images of your work published in the media is even more exciting. These works featured in various publications this year alone.

Recent drawings

All of the animals

Showing a lot of love for the furry and feathered variety...