Tamar Swartz is a visual artist, currently working in acrylic paint and mixed media. She creates visual narratives that invite the viewer to step in and explore the boundaries of real and imaginary, finding the magic in the mundane. Her paintings are intended as a portal to a place where heart-centred connections can occur, and heroes journeys unfold.
Tamar’s work is brought to life through her intuitive practice of finding "Creative Surrender" and allowing her work to unfold organically. She uses colour, spontaneous mark-making, forms and imagery to create emotional landscapes where stories are woven and meaning is in the metaphor. Each piece is a journey unto itself, which requires Tamar to keep the creative process fresh and ever-changing.
Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Tamar has never attended art school, though has taken many art classes and workshops. She currently lives in Victoria, BC, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Lekwungen Peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Tamar's work is held in private collections around the world, including in Canada, United States, South Africa, Hungary and Australia. Her work has been exhibited both domestically and internationally.
Bio
Studio, 2018. Photograph by Howard Ng.
CREATIVE:
having the quality or power of creating.
resulting from originality of thought, expression
originative; productive
SURRENDER:
to give (oneself) up
to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion
to give up, abandon, or relinquish
Drawing inspiration from natural, urban and dream landscapes, I create visual narratives and emotional landscapes for viewers to journey through. My creative process is intuitive and based on listening and presence with the art that is unfolding. In this way I allow the art materials to dictate the flow of the work, either painting or combining different media (collage, drawing, painting) to reach Creative Surrender. Creative Surrender is a state of being. It is often the moment of letting go and giving space to allow the piece of art to unfurl, emerge and breathe as any living organism would. It is a multi-layered process and always an adventure!