Tamara graduated with a studio arts degree from Illinois State University which she attended on a talent scholarship. After travel and work in Europe, Australia and Alaska, she entered the publishing field as a graphic artist and illustrator in chicago. She and her partner eventually formed a studio business designing product and contract sculpting for the giftware industry with clients across the country. Tamara also produced and marketed her own line of Christmas ornaments and a set of seven polychrome Eskimo figurines.
Her ambitions in the commercial art field warmed after some 30 years. She finally re-established a report with her original, long suppressed desire to pursue a fine art career.
She and her partner moved to New Mexico into a community with other artists. She joined a project conducted by a prominent internationally recognized artist.
“I needed to learn what it takes to be a world class artist. I studied her work in college and although I inevitably learned quite a lot, she was a difficult personality. It took a lot out of me.”
Tamara returned to her own studio where she focused on mastering a number of techniques and materials. Just as important was the library she established: books by Joseph Campbell, Gary Zukav, J. Krishnamurti and other metaphysical writers.
“I had had beliefs and sentimental ideas about life and my place as a suburban raised 1/4 Eskimo and American Swede, I didn’t have a point of view that supported some of my toughest experiences . . . a point of view worth picturing in my art.”
The first fruits of her study and contemplation resulted in a two woman installation titled MY LIFE AS A DRESS.
Tamara is preparing to show a series of twenty 12″ X 17″ o/c painting titled, NATURE CONSCIOUSNESS.
Presently she is finishing up an exhibition titled THE ENCULTURATED WHITE MAN: If the Indians Had Won consisting of 16 altered turn-of-the-20th-century found photographs matted in a variety of needlework styles. Included in this exhibition are six gourd and pine needle baskets.
Also in progress is a series of works on paper painted with oak gall ink–oak galls gathered from the forest bordering her Arkansas home.
In her work Tamara integrates commercial media with natural materials.
“My commercial art background allows me to appreciate modern technique but I can’t ignore
the tactile appeal of material from nature. I like to combine the two–perhaps it reflects my suburban up-bringing and native heritage.”
Hello Tamara,
I have enjoyed browsing through your blog. I look forward to coming back to read all about your artwork, travels, experiences, and thoughts. You have lived an interesting life. Thanks for sharing.
PS It was great to meet you and your mother at the Arkansas GTG.