Step into the captivating world of artist Tamara Poff, whose paintings of women evoke a symphony of emotions. See more of her portfolio by visiting her website.
![portrait of a woman with chicken and egg](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Which-Came-First-500-oil.jpg)
“Which Came First?” oil, 24″ x 24″
I am my father’s daughter. My earliest memories include his encouragement of my interest in drawing. Although he was not an artist, he was a man of creative wit, enlightened by surviving in a house full of women.
![Figurative painting of a woman with parasol](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rose-oil-28x44-500.jpg)
“Rose” oil, 48″ x 24″
In my turbulent teen years, I happened to be an (almost) competent flutist. During one of my adolescent meltdowns, I remember he insisted I take up my flute and play right then and there to calm me down.
![Figurative painting off a woman relaxing](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Time-Machine_oil_40x30.jpg)
“Time Machine” oil, 40″ x 30″
Despite my resistance, I complied to later appreciate that moment as the dawning of understanding art as an antidote to chaos—an elevation of the spirit. These values drive me to create today.
![Figurative painting expressing two sides of a personality](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Two-Sides-to-Keryn_oil_36x48.jpg)
“Two Sides to Keryn” oil, 36″ x 48″
After graduating in Art Education at Michigan State University in 1979, single parenting and economic factors forced me into the financial services industry for many decades. Although sporadically, I continued my art practice in those workaholic years, returning to post-graduate studies at Kendall College of Art and Design in 2000.
![portrait of two young sisters](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/12.Poff_Tamara_Soul-Sisters_oil_36x24-1.png)
“Soul Sisters” oil, 36″ x 24″
There was never a time when I wasn’t searching to find a way back to a full-time focus on my painting. I consider myself re-emerging in 2021 now that I can finally satisfy that quest.
![Figurative painting of two woman in classic robes](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/For-Veena_oil_48x36.jpg)
“For Veena” oil, 48″ x 36″
Oil paint is my medium of choice because of its lush and forgiving nature, allowing me to build toward an idea a little more slowly than other art materials. I like taking advantage of its multi-layering qualities to create depth.
![Figurative of a woman and insect](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Dish_20x20.jpg)
“Dish” oil, 20″ x 20″
My compositions form from a curiosity for language and its relationship to what’s inside the hearts and minds of the people I paint. Humans as subjects are, therefore, endlessly intriguing to me. I begin with words, phrases, quotes, or stories and then search for the connecting imagery. In this process, the title frequently appears before the painting.
![Figurative painting of a woman gesturing No](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Refuse_oil_22x22.jpg)
“Refuse” oil, 22″ x 22″
My deep concern for social justice and the feminist outrage stirred by years of fighting my way upward in a male-dominated business world creeps into my work, sometimes from a tongue-in-cheek point of view. Hence the appearance of a cockroach, a woman mired in refuse, the irony juxtaposing victims of past and present, etc.
![Figurative painting of an African American woman](https://www.artsyshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Khalilah_oil_48x24.jpg)
“Khalilah” oil, 48″ x 24″
Strong women emerge in narrative environments as I paint. With these elements, I hope to raise questions in the viewer and maybe even answer a few along the way.
Tamara Poff invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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