The Art and Musings of Tamara Natalie Madden

A wonderful site put together by Najee Dorsey and Janelle Dowell. It's an opportunity to meet black artists from all over the US, and some from abroad. We definitely need more sites where we can support one another. There are a lot of well known artists on the site, and many unknowns, as well, but it's a great place for inspiration! Check it out here. My art just happens to be featured this week. ;) To view my page go here.

I used to do a lot of pastel work in the past, but I stopped when I began painting more regularly. Recently, I picked up the pastels again, after a nearly 13 year hiatus. I never forgot how vibrant and rich pastels were. I'm not sure people really know that they are pure pigment! That's why the colors are exceptionally rich. I figured that I would dabble again. I've produced quite a few pieces in the last week, so I'll keep going.


                                                                                     
"Guardian", Pastel © 2010

 

















Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people
feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight
remains to them?
-Rose Kennedy

Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor, by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well fed.

                                                                   - Herman Melville

A few months back, I participated in a wonderful exhibition with some amazing women. Since I haven't been blogging, I didn't get a chance to post some of the amazing pics from the show. Women artists, particularly 'black' women artists don't get enough shine. We need to appreciated as viable competitors in this art game!
































































Myself and Byrma





















Artist Grace Kisa







































Wade (that's his wife Helena in my painting!)

Recently, I came upon some photos that I had taken 18 years ago. I've loved photography as equally as I loved drawing and painting, and when I wasn't painting, photography provided immediate gratification. Back then, my mother allowed me to use her manual camera, and my photography teacher Mr. Zutz, taught us how to handle it. I really, really enjoyed the process of developing film. There was nothing quite like the process of seeing something that you shot come to life.

Sometimes I think that we depend too much on digital photography, and Photoshop, when back in the days we were required to actual learn how to manage the camera, and learn how to use the chemicals to develop. It required more work then... I guess we have to roll with the times because we live in a time of immediacy. I still shoot all of my images using the manual options, that way I can make the decisions about how my images come out.

Check out some of my 'general' photography here:
www.tnmphotography.weebly.com

© 1992-2010 Tamara Natalie Madden


























Alicia, © 1992-2010 Tamara Natalie Madden






















My family in Jamaica. I took this in 2000.

© 2000-2010 Tamara Natalie Madden





 
















Paycheck? © 2002-2010 Tamara Natalie Madden




























Little boy in Jamaica, 2000. 
© 2000-2010 Tamara Natalie Madden