Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts

An article about my work written by Tiffany Nicole Slade for On-Verge

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Everyday Heroes: Behind the Art of Tamara Natalie Madden

Posted on August 4, 2011 by CUE

by Tiffany Nicole Slade

Goldilocks (2011) by Tamara Natalie Madden (30″ x 40″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

Ten years ago, contemporary painter Tamara Natalie Madden got a second chance at life. Since then, she has lived by the creed, “Create as much as you can, while you can.” That thinking has lent itself to a prolific body of work, as well as a Jane-of-all-trades approach to life since Madden is also a children’s book author and illustrator, a fine art photographer, a stylist and make-up artist, a master colorist, a vegetarian and health advocate, a blogger, a mom, and a kidney transplant survivor. She lives near Atlanta, but hails from a small, rural town in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. It was there in Frankfield, high up in the mountainous bush, where the artist resided with her grandmother and others while her mother pursued a better life in America.
Though steeped in poverty, her early years were filled with the warmth of neighbors, family, and friends. By the time she began to pursue an art career in America as an adult, she was already deeply inspired by the Jamaican people who had surrounded her during her formative years. A precocious child, Madden loved reading books, climbing trees, and helping her beloved grandmother, “Mama,” who was always busy fetching water from the outdoor tank, building fires in the outdoor kitchen to cook meals, boiling water for bathing and washing clothes, and walking, mile after scorching mile, through the blinding white heat come dawn every Saturday morning on the grueling trek to church.
Money and resources were scant, but her grandmother was always generous in her care of family and others. Even under such dire circumstances, it was not unusual for her grandmother or others to take in children from families who were unable to care for them. That spirit of interconnectedness and survival left its mark on Madden and later came to influence her otherworldly portraits.
If one looks closely at the artist’s subjects, the faces of those townspeople might become evident. Most certainly, one will see extraordinary images of ordinary black folk. But what Madden has set out to do is pay homage in paint to the true heroes and heroines of our time.

Of Royal Lineage (2010) by Tamara Natalie Madden (48″ x 24″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

Positively influenced by a challenging but rewarding childhood, the artist paints to dignify the indigent. She wrote, “Amazing people surrounded me, including my grandmother, who despite her struggle with poverty and emotional strain, found it in her heart to give back, to care for and support her fellow man. The neighbors would share food, water, and their love for God. I always found that to be amazing, and I wanted the voices of those people to be heard.”

Rastaman Chant (2007) by Tamara Natalie Madden (30″ x 20″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

When Madden began to paint these ‘everyday’ people, it was not uncommon for her to dress her subjects in unremarkable clothing and to situate them in prosaic Jamaican settings—a woman with a baby in her arms, a man on a stoop with a machete, or even her grandmother with her dog.

Mama and Bringle (2007) by Tamara Natalie Madden (18″ x 24″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

Her interest in manipulating color and quilting were evident in early works, but her mastery of paint handling and style evolved quickly when she began to infuse her subjects with royalty. This was evidenced in the elaborate rendering of subjects’ skin, hand-stitched quilting of their stately garb, and intricate handling of gold-leaf crowns and regalia for each king and queen.

Sankofa (2008) by Tamara Natalie Madden (48″ x 24″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

Madden states: “Unfortunately, when I began to paint these people, they were not readily accepted, they were still overlooked. I decided to turn the same people into representations of royalty, clothing them in fantastical ornate outfits, and focusing on all that would attract viewers to pay attention to the beauty within.” Around that time, the artist was deeply moved by yet another everyday hero and it made her want, more than ever, to honor those who live unsung even as they save others’ and survive their own lives.
By then as the mother of a young child and stricken with a fullblown, life-threatening, genetic kidney disease, Madden felt that if she didn’t make a trip home to Jamaica soon, she might never get another chance. Additionally, her beloved grandmother was nearing the end of her life but helped the artist locate a long lost brother. In 2000 before beginning the dreaded dialysis treatments, Madden flew home to Jamaica for the first time since leaving as a child.
While there, she was serendipitously reacquainted with her brother who took one look at her and inquired about her condition. She explained her ashen skin, low weight, and lack of strength as well as the illness, the medications, and the side effects. Before the end of her trip, this brother with whom she who she had never communicated beyond a chance meeting as children, offered her his kidney, further churning the artist’s fascination with the fortitude of everyday people.
Back in the United States, Madden suffered the pain and indignity of dialysis, sketching and drawing to pass time and vowing to become a professional artist when she received her transplant. Several times per week, she sat, connected to multiple IVs and needles, watching all the blood drain from her body into machines, and then, through multiple tubes, back in, cleansed, while other patients mysteriously disappeared, one after another.
Fatigued but friendly with nurses and others, she struggled to maintain her sanity while coping with the reality of death all around her. A year after their reunion, the artist and her brother successfully underwent the kidney transplant surgeries. That same year, Madden also participated in her first art exhibition.

Mystic (2008) by Tamara Natalie Madden (36″ x 24″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

Today, Madden continues to elevate ordinary folk to royalty in her paintings. Adorned with mythological golden crowns, her subjects dazzle with nobility while situated in ethereal landscapes. Inspired by Gustav Klimt, Egyptian and West African royalty, the artist imbues her subjects with power through masterful portraiture and an adroit handling of color.

Paradise (2011) by Tamara Natalie Madden (30″ x 20″, acrylic and mixed media on canvas)

To see more work, visit tamaranataliemadden.com .

See the link here: http://www.on-verge.org/features/everyday-heroes-behind-the-art-of-tamara-natalie-madden-2/

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 2:23 PM
Categories: Labels: articles
0 comments

An Interview with Black Girl's Rock Inc.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

In Living Color: An Interview with Artist Tamara Natalie Madden

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Patrice Peck

Have you ever come across an amazing work of art and thought, “I wonder what the story is behind this piece?” Well, after looking through painter Tamara Natalie Madden’s collection, you will undoubtedly be asking yourself, “What’s the story behind this artist?” Madden’s self-taught gift for painting actually stemmed from a life-threatening kidney illness that she battled as a young girl. Thankfully, Madden conquered the illness thanks to her (at the time) long-lost brother who agreed to a kidney transplant. Painting continued to serve as an expressive tool long after her recovery. Madden may have come to the United States in her teenage years, but the large influence that Jamaica, her mother country, has had on her work can be found in the bright colors and organic textures that she uses. In honor of her astounding project “Never Forgotten,” Madden has recently received a grant from the Puffin Foundation. For more information on Tamara, please head to her website http://www.tamaranataliemadden.com/.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK: How did painting help you battle your illness? Do you consider painting a therapeutic art form?
Tamara: I suffered from a rare form of kidney disease called IGA Nephropathy, in my early twenties. It was a shock to my young mind. Illness is never expected at that age, but I didn’t seek relief until I really began to see the effects of the disease. I had always sketched, and done pastel work, but I really began to delve more deeply into it when I became ill. The dialysis treatments were the most challenging: physically and emotionally.

My saving grace was my sketchbook, and my headphones. They helped me to escape the reality of what I was dealing with, somewhat. Drawing and painting became my only means of freedom during those times. I know that creating art is therapeutic. It soothes the mind and soul, and that’s essential when people are troubled by their difficult realities. I’m not sure where I would be if I didn’t have art as an option.
BLACK GIRLS ROCK: As a young woman, who were some of your mentors and influences?
Tamara: My first influences were my Uncles. Both of the uncles that I interacted with were Rastafarians, and they were both highly creative. My uncle Carl was the most influential because he lived with us. He would make woodcarvings out of scraps, and I would sit and watch him in awe. I was completely fascinated by the process. He also drew pictures in pencil, and that was a source of inspiration, as well.

Many of my influences also came from the books that I read, and the images that I would see on the covers, and sometimes inside of the books. Not only would I study the words, but I also studied the images. When I got older, and came to America my mother had a friend who was an artist, and her watercolors enthralled me. I have to say though, that one of my greatest mentors was an art teacher in summer school when I was 14. I don’t know his name, but I’ll never forget him. He taught me how to draw faces, albeit Caucasian faces, but faces nonetheless. At the end of the year, he told me that he could see my passion for art, and he encouraged me to keep at it. He gave me all of the left over art supplies. I never forgot that, or him because his encouragement made me believe that the possibility was there.
Black Girls Rock: What are some sources of inspiration for your paintings?
Tamara: Everyday people, hard working people who are often overlooked, inspire me. I began painting them in their literal form; many of them were working, cleaning, carrying baskets, and raising children. As I remembered these people from Jamaica, I remembered how beautiful many of them were internally. They were neighbors, and friends who would share a meal with you, even though they barely had enough to give. They would come by and help you clean, or sit and keep you company during trying times. Many had their own internal struggles that they were dealing with, but once they opened their mouths, they talked about their blessings, and they praised God relentlessly.

These people are often judged and looked down upon by society, and I found that when I painted them, the same thing happened; they were judged and looked down upon. I decided that it was important for them to be seen for who they were intrinsically. The kings and queens are my interpretation of those people and their internal & eternal beauty. The paintings make you stop and stare and wonder who these people are, when before, no one gave them a second look. Beauty is so much more than physicality, and though my paintings may capture a beautiful essence, that essence belongs to the soul of the people that I’m inspired by. The birds are a personal symbol of my freedom from dialysis, and illness.

Black Girls Rock: What has been your greatest challenge in your career?
Tamara: The sacrifice. Being an artist requires a lot of sacrifice. It requires patience, and faith. It can be a challenging journey with lots of bumps along the way. Unfortunately, in the art world, I’m not just considered an artist; I am ‘black’, then ‘woman’, then ‘artist.’ All of those titles present there own unique set of obstacles. In addition, to trying to meander my way through the visual art world, while being taken seriously, and not loosing my integrity; I have to be an educator. It’s essential that the new generation of black children learn about the arts, and the value of the arts. They need to understand that art is an investment, which will benefit them for many generations. They also need to know that art is the keeper of history in many cases; it’s an essential doorway to their ancestors.
Black Girls Rock: Do you have any advice for young women of color interested in the arts?
Tamara: My advice is to never stop dreaming, never stop believing, and never stop challenging yourself. You have to strive to achieve your personal best. Don’t ever compare yourself or your work to others because no one in this world can do what you do. Each person is truly unique, so you must embrace that.
The other piece of advice is to throw your ego out of the window, and stomp on it!

In order to grow, you have to take some level of criticism. It may hurt, but it makes you better at your craft. Art is not a business for the faint of heart, so if you feel like you’ve got the gift, the willpower, and the faith, then dive on in…and forget the life jacket, it’s sink or swim. My mantra: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 11:31 AM
Categories: Labels: articles
0 comments

The Dreamer: An Upscale Magazine article

Monday, December 14, 2009

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 10:01 PM
Categories: Labels: articles, my art
0 comments

Interview with Jamaicans.com

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Yet another interview. This recent interview was with Jamaicans.com. I was honoured to be interviewed for their site. This was the same site that I found my wonderful brother on nine years ago. Obviously meeting him saved my life, so in a way they had something to do with that. Please take a look at the interview below or feel free to visit their site here. You'll be able to find other wonderful articles about Jamaican people, food, life, etc. or just catch up with the goings on of the Yardies!

________________________________________________

Interview with Jamaican painter, Tamara Natalie Madden

Published Oct 31, 2009

This month we interview Jamaican painter, Tamara Natalie Madden. Her paintings are exciting, vivid and rich in color. She also tells us the story how Jamaicans.com helped her find a lost relative.

When did you start painting?
I began painting when I was a teenager, however, I've been drawing most of my life.

When did you know your were good at this and wanted to make it a career?
I knew that I had talent early on, however, I never thought that art would be my career. I only realized that after I became ill with kidney failure and ended up on dialysis. It was during that experience that I found art again and made a promise to myself that I would pursue art after I became well. My amazing brother(who I found on Jamaicans.com) offered me a kidney and I received a transplant in 2001. Soon after, I was able to do my first exhibition, and I haven't stopped since then.

Did you do any formal schooling?
I've never been taught formally. I've only taken classes in high school and summer school. I learned more about the process in my later years through the help of my mentors.

Who is your biggest supporter?
My daughter would say that she is my #1 fan and supporter, however my best friend and godmother have always supported me. They saw my talent and stood by my side when I decided to pursue art. There were so many other people who believed in me. The list would be too long.

Describe your work?
I had always felt a connection to everyday folk, the working class, the unseen and unheard, the true warriors of our time. My childhood experience with poverty dictated that I care. I realized, however, that many people, who may have suffered through a similar struggle, did not want to revisit those struggles so I decided to turn my ideas inside out. Inspired, by the golden period of Gustav Klimt and images of royalty from Egypt and West Africa; I decided to turn regular folk into kings and queens. It seemed to be the only way to allow them to be represented and appreciated for who they were intrinsically; kings, queens and warriors who never had a chance to shine, their ragged clothes and despondent appearance setting the tone for others to judge them.

Most of your subjects are women. Is there are reason for this?
There are no real reasons why I paint women, because I paint men, as well. I suppose there may be an unconscious reason that I'm unaware of. I do believe that a lot of women need to be uplifted and empowered and my hope is that my work will be able to do that.

Which artists influence you?
I was very inspired by Gustav Klimt when I began the new series, but there are so many artists that I find inspiring. I've found that I can find inspiration in any art.

Which artists would you like to meet?
I wouldn't mind meeting Kara Walker. She's an exceptionally successful black female artist. I'd like to find out about the steps that she took to get where she is today. I'm sure that academia had a lot to do with it, but it would be nice to pick her brain.

How do you get ready to paint? Do you have a special ritual?
I have no ritual, I simply need inspiration. My studio is in my home so all I have to do is walk a few feet and begin painting. It's a wonderful way to work.

What is your idea of art that is visually pleasing to the eyes?
I think that different people are drawn to different things, some like colour an some don't. As long as the individual feels something positive when they look at the piece, then I think that it's pleasing them visually.

How many paintings do you average in a year?
Quite a few. I'm very prolific. On average, I produce about 5 paintings a month so I do a lot during the year. There are times when I take breaks, because I need time to reflect and think so that I can be inspired.

Do you have an unfinished painted stacked away that is going to be come a master piece?
Yes, but I'm not sure if they will be a masterpieces.

What is your favorite work you have painted so far?
I'm not sure that I have a favourite, per se, but I was moved by the first piece in my current series, Unmasked. It was an important transitional piece.

What new projects are you working on? Is there an upcoming exhibit?
Currently, I'm working on a new mixed media series that incorporates my photography. I'm still working on my ongoing King & Queen series. Currently, I'm participating in Art off the Main. I have no upcoming shows planned because I'm taking this time to work. I participated in a lot of shows this year and I need to produce new work.

What is playing on your ipod/mp3 right now?
My musical selection is broad. I love Laura Izabor's new cd and of course, "mi favourite dj Buju!" I have Jah Cure and Adele and so many other wonderful artists on my i-pod. There are too many to name.

If you were not an artist what would you be?
I'd still be doing something creative. I really enjoy writing so I may have done that. I've also been a teacher before and that would have been another good option.

When we contact you about the interview you mentioned you found your brother through Jamaicans.com. Can you tell us that story?
I have four brothers. The other three were living in Canada, but there was one that I hadn't known, and he was living in Jamaica. Before I headed home in 2000; I had an immensely strong feeling that I had to find that brother. He was my father's son, and I hadn't seen him since we were six, and that was very brief. I never really knew him, I just knew of him. My only intention was to meet him because I wasn't sure when I would be able to go home again.

I didn't realize at the time that God was talking to me. The feeling came over me so strong that I started calling family members to see if they knew his name or where he was living in Jamaica. I called around and no one was able to help me except for my grandmother. She was not his grandmother because we have different mothers, but she was familiar with everyone who lived in the area. She remembered his mother's name and at the time there was an option on the site to locate numbers in a phone book of some kind in Jamaica. I put her name in and her phone number popped up. Eventually, I got in touch with her and she got me in contact with my brother who was living in Mandeville at the time.

It was shocking for both of us when we met. I was very ill, but I never went to Jamaica looking for anything except him, and he offered to save my life. It was because of the grace of God that my life was spared and I'm thankful to him for blessing my wonderful brother with such a kind heart. I love him dearly.

Thanks to Jamaicans.com for providing the opportunity for me the find him!!

Thanks for the interview and final thoughts?
I'm the little girl who grew up in Manchester, climbing ackee and orange trees. I loved my childhood and even then I believed in the possibilities. My hope is that other little children can grow up to see that they can do what they love and live their dream. Please look for my work in the December edition of Upscale Magazine.

My mantra: " The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 8:21 PM
Categories: Labels: articles, interviews
0 comments

Indiefied, Again.

Friday, October 30, 2009

I love finding articles about my work. I guess it just shows me that folks are paying attention. That's a good thing for a growing artist. I suppose my narcissism makes me want to post everything that I see. lol! Here's an article written in 2008 by Ultraviolet Underground.
I thank them for their kind words.

_______________________________________

Friday, September 12, 2008

Indiefied- Tamara Natalie Madden

The work of Tamara Natalie Madden offers a reality both muted and vivid that is just touched with the kiss of the fantastical which makes her paintings both stunning, curious, and tragic at times. The sadness and pride within many of her subjects turns a tale that could easily be told without depth or sincere detail, into a view of humanity that stays with you long after the first sight. It would be difficult for one in touch with their heart to not want to sit and stare into the worlds she's cast so adeptly upon canvas.

You can find her works here in a
workshop caught in moonbeams
illuminating the dreaming sea:

http://www.tamaranataliemadden.com/

Absolute Arts

Just Lookin

Linked In

Thankyou Dope Swan for the intel

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 10:30 AM
Categories: Labels: articles, interviews, my art
0 comments

Thank God I'm Natural

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Recently, I was interviewed by Chris-Tia from Thank God I'm Natural for Natural Chic of the Week. She recently wrote a book about natural hair. You can find more details on her blog here. I didn't particularly like the picture she chose for me, but I'm re-posting the article here anyways. I changed the picture to something that fits more of my personality. The original one is on the bottom.

Natural Chic of the Week: Tamara Natalie Madden

October 26, 2009 · Filed under All, Natural Chic of the Week

She’s a Leo. She’s no nonsense, and being natural is literally, in her roots. Growing up on the tiny island of Jamaica, 34-year-old Tamara Natalie Madden was raised around family who embraced all things organic. But her road to naturaldom incurred a few bumps and even Jheri Curls, but hey, we all fall.
But successfully growing and maintaining her locks is just a minor accomplishment for the painter. One of her biggest success stories came after she received a kidney from her brother after experiencing kidney failure. The second lease on life not only gave her the courage, but also the drive to become a full-time painter, creating inspiring portraits of African American men and women. But don’t think Madden’s pieces can be purchased any old where. All her creations are one of a kind and will cost anywhere between $500 and $4,000.

However, when she’s not painting or being an overall creative, she’s enjoying time with her 13 year old daughter Nidalas, or whipping up one of her famous curry vegetarian dishes. Although having grown up in a family of naturals, when Madden finally made the decision for herself it was nothing less than freeing for her.” I feel like I took off the mask and stepped into being my true self.”

Longitude and Latitude:
Suburbs of Atlanta
What keeps the bills paid?
I’m a fine artist
Why the change?
I grew up around naturalists in Jamaica and by the time I was 19 years old, I was feeling the urge to get rid of the process. My uncles were Rastas and my grandmother used to wear long plaits. My aunt cut my hair into a short afro when I was 12 years old because there was really no way to maintain a process in Jamaica. My hair was natural until I was 14 years old and back in America. My mother gave me a Jheri curl then, and it was horrible! Eventually, I ended up with the process again! I was tired of the back and forth to the salon to get my hair straightened. I was really tired of the smell in the salon—all of those chemicals woo! That drove me crazy! I was also really tired of looking like everyone else. I wanted to be free–I wanted to be me. I never felt fully comfortable with a relaxer. When I chopped it off, I was bald! I felt like a new woman! I didn’t lock my hair until 2004.
What advice can you give to those going from relaxed to natural hair?
Don’t compare yourself to other people. Try not to worry about their opinions. Throw away ideas and thoughts that would deter you from going natural. Move at your own pace and do what you have to do to take the step forward. Some people go for the gusto and chop it off; others wear braids, wigs, extensions, etc. You have to find what works for you. Just embrace your true self. I know it’s difficult to break away from all that we’ve conformed to, but you will feel free, that’s a promise!
Ok. Dish on some of the products you absolutely heart to death.
I don’t use a lot of products in my hair, but I do like using natural oils to keep my hair moisturized. There’s a product called Aura Glow and I like to use that on my skin and in my hair. I also like natural shampoos, no particular brand.
What is your hair routine?
I wash my hair either every few days to every few weeks or whenever I feel like I need to. It’s very long so I generally wash it in the shower. Sometimes, if I want a color, I use Henna Hair dye to darken it. Henna can be messy, so I have to be careful not to dye my skin! I oil and twist my hair and usually braid it up when it’s wet so that I can get my crinkles. My hair is much longer when I leave it straight. The crinkles give my hair a little fullness and body.
What are your favorite hair styles?
With long locks, I can do almost anything! I usually just wear it down, but on some occasions I like to put it up. I always wear a bang. It’s not very common to see people with locks wearing bangs, but I wanted to do something different.
Any of the higher ups have something to say about your mane?
No. I suppose because I’m an artist; people aren’t surprised that I’m natural, but my hair has nothing to do with my profession. I would have been an artist regardless, but I think that the full experience of cutting my hair and embracing my true self enhanced me spiritually, thus affecting the type of art that I produce.
So how do the dudes dig your do?
Men love my hair, now. When I wore an afro, I found that fewer men were interested. I was always attracting militants for some reason. Now, I find that all types of men are attracted to me. I always wonder if it’s because my hair is long. I’ve had several guys tell me that they have never dated any woman with natural hair, but the length and upkeep of my hair made it easier for them to view me as a potential mate. It was pretty weird to hear someone say that to me, but everyone has a right to his or her opinions and preferences.
How do your peeps feel about your rambunctious roots?
My true friends accept me as I am. When I initially cut my hair off, I lost friends. I remember driving down the street with my BFF, maybe sometime in 1999 when we were confronted at a red light by some ignoramuses’ who shouted berating things to us about our afros. One of them attempted to hand us a comb through their car window. Needless to say, we sped off, but that was the general reaction I received from all types of people. The only consolation we received was when Lauryn Hill became popular—it was then and only then that we became somewhat cool because of our hair. My mother and extended family thought that it was a phase. My mother was a pristine, conservative, fair-skinned Jamaican woman–anything unkempt and disheveled wasn’t in her realm of understanding. Needless to say, my hair wasn’t her forte.
Who is your hair muse?
No one now. I really liked Vanessa Williams. She was dark and had long locks and was sort of a role model for me. It was inspiring to see an African American woman wearing her hair natural in Hollywood! She recently went back to a perm. I think she felt that her hair inhibited her — blah! That saddened me a bit.
What do you do for fun?
I’m an artist! That’s my fun. I do it for a living and it’s the best job in the world! It’s my true passion. Aside from that, I like photography and I spend a good amount of time doing that, as well. I also enjoy writing, but most of my writing is very personal. I enjoy all things creative and of course I enjoy modeling! It’s a fun way to express myself as well!
Anything else to add?
Visit my website and check out my art, www.tamaranataliemadden.com and look for my work in the December/January edition of Upscale Magazine.
What are you listening to on your Ipod?
Laura Izibor! Love love her CD.I also have Sizzla, Bilal, Adele, Portishead, Buju Banton, Jah Cure and a myriad of other wonderful artist on my Ipod.

Thank you Tamara for your time and for showing us how to keep it chic and stay natural at the same time. Until, next week.

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 10:36 PM
Categories: Labels: articles, interviews
0 comments

My visit to Winston-Salem, NC

Myself and Curator Sharif Bey

I haven't been updating my page. I think that I've gotten way too busy for my own good! I did a show back in June in NC. It was a fairly successful show, although the opening was horrible. I just thought I'd share some of the images from that experience and the write-up that their local journal did about me.

___________________________________________

A Soaring Spirit: Artist overcame kidney disease to fulfill her creative dream

By Ken Keuffel
JOURNAL REPORTER

Published: July 5, 2009

When Tamara Natalie Madden came down with a rare disease, her kidneys failed and she underwent dialysis three times a week. The dialysis sessions began around 1997, shortly after Madden gave birth to her daughter. Each one kept Madden hooked to a machine for three or four hours -- and wondering how to keep sane in the process. She did so by drawing sketches for a children's book and by developing ideas for her paintings.
Madden's struggles with kidney disease ended happily in 2001 when a half-brother from her native Jamaica gave her one of his kidneys. And shortly thereafter, she entered some of her artwork in an exhibition, making good on a promise she had made to herself long ago, namely to become a professional artist.
Madden, a single mother in her early 30s, was born and raised in Jamaica. During her teenage years, she began living with her mother in the United States. The positive outcome of Madden's disease -- coupled with an unusual way of portraying everyday folk on canvas -- can be seen in "Majestic Women: Paintings by Tamara Natalie Madden," an exhibition that Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts Inc. is presenting through July 25 at the Delta Arts Center, 2611 New Walkertown Road.
Madden now considers her half-brother her "brother." But she barely knew him when, "on a whim," she and her mother traveled back to Jamaica to reunite with family. "He thought I looked ill," Madden said recently on the telephone from her home in suburban Atlanta. "He asked me what was wrong, and I told him. He offered a kidney to me.… That's the kidney I have right now, that's keeping me alive."
Madden the artist has never forgotten this unexpected gesture of benevolence. In each of her works, there's a bird that represents what her artist statement calls "a sense of freedom."
"Dialysis … made me feel as if I couldn't budge (and) I felt imprisoned by my illness," the statement reads. "When I received my transplant I no longer felt like a caged bird. I was free to pursue my joys and my passion. Each bird represents that sense of autonomy, that feeling that you can achieve anything through hard work and dedication."
The other singular thing about the work in Madden's Delta Arts exhibition is the way she has transformed the everyday folk in her portraits into what she calls "kings and queens." The portraits' subjects run the gamut, from homeless people to modestly paid workers at a variety of companies. All of the subjects in "Majestic Women" are black, and despite the show's title, a few are men.
For "Majestic Women," Madden has painted portraits derived from photos she took of each subject -- and then "clothed" the portraits with colorful patches of fabric in such a way that each has taken on a regal air. This process depended on the cooperation of the portraits' subjects -- something that Madden wasn't always able to secure for a variety of reasons, including their desire not to be photographed.
One person who did agree to be photographed for a portrait in the exhibit was Nicole Pritchett, 37, who works as a fabric developer for a clothing company in the Atlanta area. She said that Madden wants to "uplift with her work" -- a goal she seems to have fulfilled with Pritchett.
"I felt, ‘Wow. Maybe, I could become a queen in my next life,'" she said.
The idea of transforming everyday folk into kings and queens came to Madden after she discovered that people "weren't moved by the images" in her paintings of everyday Jamaican folk.
She came to believe, thought, that if you "take a person you might overlook (and) put them in these clothes, then they become acceptable."
"You're forced to sort of look at them and appreciate them," she said.
Dianne Caesar, Delta's executive director, agreed, saying, "You're compelled to come look at them."
Sharif Bey, an assistant professor of art education at Winston-Salem State University, also sits on Delta's board. He said he recommended a Delta exhibition of Madden's work, after seeing it in a show at Syracuse University.
"It deviates from conventional portraiture by incorporating several media," Bey said.
"Majestic Women" has also reminded him of similar developments in the Harlem Renaissance, when artists worked to "combat negative images of blacks from the 19th century."
Curiously, Madden has never received any formal training in art beyond a few classes in high school. She is finishing work toward a bachelor's degree in business management, believing that talent in art only gets you so far, that "you have to understand the business of art" to make it as an artist as well.
Though she acknowledges that school can be helpful for an artist, she seems content to remain largely self-taught.
"I feel I can really express myself without limitations. I don't feel like I have to follow in anyone's rules and guidelines. I'm free. I'm not limited."
■ "Majestic Women: Paintings by Tamara Natalie Madden" will be presented through July 25 by Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts Inc. at the Delta Arts Center, 2611 New Walkertown Road. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free; for more information, call 722-2625.
■ Ken Keuffel can be reached at 727-7337 or at kkeuffel@wsjournal.com.

Posted by Posted by :::Renaissance Woman::: at 7:16 PM
Categories: Labels: articles, exhibitions, interviews, my art
0 comments

The Art and Musings of Tamara Natalie Madden