Bio
Tamara is a co-founder/owner of Beall Street Studios. She is a ceramic sculptor and hand builder whose work is often narrative, created with a combination of extruded, slab, and handmade forms. Additionally, she enjoys painting and working in pastel.
Tamara has lived in Bozeman, Montana for 20 years. After a career as a graphic designer and raising three children she returned to school, completing a BFA in Studio Art and minor in Art History from Montana State University in 2014. Additionally, she has a Visual Communications degree from the Art Institute of Seattle (1987), and BS degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington (1984).
Other than making, designing, planning, and gardening, Tamara spends a lot of time hiking, skiing (both cross country and downhill), traveling and doing just about anything outdoors with her husband and family.
Artist Statement
Combining slabs, extruded forms, and sculpted objects I create forms which represent my interest in contemporary society and interpretations of current events. I strive to make art that is highly crafted yet displays the unique and diverse qualities of clay.
Often my work uses architecture and the hexagon (referencing bees) as a relational element to the figure and human achievement. My small figures are meant to be gestural, capturing the mental state and diversity of the individual. As a sculptor I am working to combine detail with three-dimensional composition to capture the viewer’s attention, bringing them into the conversation of the piece. I hope the viewer finds humor, beauty and wonder, while questioning humanity and our daily activities in the modern world.
Resume
Current Occupation
Beall Street Studios Co-Owner/Artist - Beall Street Studios provides an ideal working space and creative atmosphere for artists to realize their ideas within a supportive community of peers. The 2,965 square foot remodeled building offers studio rental for six artists.
Education
August 2014 - Bachelor of Fine Arts (emphasis ceramics), Minor in Art History, Montana State University
September 1987 - Associate of Applied Art in Visual Communications (Honors), Art Institute of Seattle
August 1984 - Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences, Geography Minor, University of Washington
Art Exhibitions and Shows
May 2021 to present - Showing with Old Main Gallery in Bozeman Montana
February 2023 - Small Works - Big Ideas juried show Clay Studio of Missoula
November-December 2021 and 2022 - Radius Gallery Missoula Montana Holiday Sale
February - March 2022 - 24th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition
February 2021, 2022, 2023 - Art Council of Big Sky - Auction for the Arts Fundraiser
2020 - Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture, Bozeman Montana - Juried Group show: Figures and Portraits
2019 - Beall Street Studios Holiday Sale
2014 Montana State University Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition - Best of Show
2013 University of Montana and Montana State University Faculty and Student Exhibition
2013 A Baker’s Dozen - A Ceramic Show Featuring 13 selected artist at the TART Gallery, Bozeman Montana
2013 Montana State University Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition 2011 University of Montana and Montana State University Faculty and Student Exhibition
2011 Montana State University Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition
2010 Montana State University Undergraduate Student Juried Exhibition - Honorable Mention Ceramics
Workshops - Archie Bray Foundation, Helena Montana
July 2016 - Community Mosaic Mural Making with Laurel True (5 days)
May 2016 - A Day with Sue Turrell
September 2014 - Go Figure: Mixing it Up with Metal and Clay with Lisa Clague (5 days)
September 2010 - Porcelain, Myth and the Figure with Chris Antemann and Gerit Grimm (5days)
Design Projects
Central Asia Institute 2009 Calendar
Central Asia Institute 2008 Calendar 2007 “Aged to Perfection” Calendar - fundraiser for local hiking trail dedicated to Hedvig Flowers
2007 Bozeman Christmas Stroll Poster Contest Winner
2007 Sweet Pea Poster Contest - Honorable Mention
Graphic Design Employment
Graphic Design Team Lead September 1995 - August 1997
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond WA
Managed a team of five designers and two contractors to create new Office 95 Help, and Wizards. Fostered teamwork, career growth, and understanding of new technology within design group. FrontPage3 - Worked with Program Management to design Visual Style Gallery. Created example themes, created guidelines and specifications for additional theme creation, hired three outside design firms to create themes, art directed development of 57 themes. Reviewed and selected all clip art. Created 38 frame animated spinning globe. Created seven new animated PowerPoint templates.
Senior Graphic Designer August 1993- August 1995
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
Visual design and creation of the online documentation in Word 6.0 for Windows and Word 6.0 for Macintosh. Created templates, animation, and art for Quick Review demos. Developed prototypes, final layout, and conceptual art for the Examples and Demos in Help. Managed freelance Graphic Artist, worked with Excel Designers to create wizard templates and art. Created the project team sweatshirt.
Graphic Designer March 1990 - July 1993
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
Designed the online documentation in Word 2.0 for Windows. Created templates and the overall look of the Computer Based Training. Responsible for the layout, illustration, and production of eight lessons. Designed the Word 2.0 Setup icons. Created all of the online Help art. Designed the online documentation in Word 5.5 for MS-DOS. Created templates, animation, and the overall look of the Computer Based Training. Mentored additional Graphic Designer on the team. Created the visual design of online Help.
Contract Associate Graphic Designer September 1988 - February 1990
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
Assisted with the design and production of the Computer Based Training in Word 1.0 for Windows. Created conceptual art and screen layout.
Freelance Graphic Design September 1986 - February 1990
Adventure Medical Kits, Oakland, CA - Company logo, business cards, catalog, and company collateral.
AEI Music Network, Seattle, WA - Production Assistant/Designer. Prepared camera-ready art for publications, sales promotions, and company collateral. Designed a bi-monthly newsletter.
Sports Northwest Magazine, Seattle, WA - Production Assistant. Designed the page layout for editorial content and advertising.
Additional Professions
Research Meteorologist September 1984 - March 1986
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder CO
Whitewater Kayak Instructor May 1987 - September 1990
Northwest Outdoor Center, Seattle WA
Mother of three