Local Stories
Meet Tamara Hastie | Contemporary Southwest Artist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Hastie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tamara, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Any time you are working in your comfort zone you will never have a result that is very different from what you have done or seen before. It’s important to step out of that comfort occasionally and try new things (medium, subject, style) to explore and see what else you like. It’s inherently uncomfortable but the only way to expand and grow…and remember that you can always move back to comfort if/when it’s needed… so don’t be afraid to occasionally be bold.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a contemporary southwest landscape painter in northern Arizona. I‘ve alway been drawn to a variety of painting techniques, the wide expanses of the desert southwest, as well as the bold and vibrant colors of contemporary styling. The intersection of these things is where I find the most joy in producing a different take by drawing on aspects of each that I find most appealing.
It’s important to be patient and commit to trying, and don’t be afraid to fail. Even if the outcome sometimes isn’t exactly what you envisioned, you had an opportunity to learn and now can incorporate those learnings into the future. It may be cliche but growth is a windy path, not a high speed highway.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love all the canyons around northern Arizona and find that my favorite adventures often come from picking a place on a map that I don’t know or have too many details about yet. I’m drawn to the unknown and exploration and some of my favorite times come from just seeing where the trail, dirt road, and life leads. My new favorite restaurant may be the one that I haven’t tried yet and if you don’t try you will never know. So go explore the unknown and embrace the uncertainty and learning that comes from the experience.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have the privilege of many people in my life who help shape my creative career and art. My mom has always supported my art and fostered creative cultures, whether sewing, painting, exploring, or trying new things like pancake soup (which I don’t recommend). Having people in your life that you know are on your side regardless of outcome is the most important aspect of any mentor or person you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with positivity and make each other better.
